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Mahershala Ali, who won an Oscar in 2016, was raised in Hayward when he was known by the name of Hershal Gilmore.
After graduating from Mt. Eden High School he accepted a basketball scholarship to St. Mary's College in Moraga, where he graduated with a degree in mass communications in 1996. While at SMC he discovered acting and after graduation had an apprenticeship at the California Shakespeare Theatre, then earned a master's degree at New York University in 2000.
His acting career has included many TV shows and blockbuster movies like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Hunger Games, and Moonlight. For Moonlight, Mahershala won an Academy Award as Best Supporting Actor.
He currently is starring in Swan Song, now in theaters and streaming on Apple TV+
He has joined recording label Hieroglyphics Imperium and records rap music as Prince Ali.
Thank you to our chamber member friends and Black History Month sponsors
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