André Holland has built an acclaimed career through performances in Moonlight, Selma, The Knick, High
Flying Bird, and more—but his deepest calling reaches far beyond the screen.
In this conversation with Mick Hunt, André shares how his parents and his Bessemer, Alabama
community taught him to move with integrity, care for his gifts, and stay shoulder to shoulder with the
people who helped him flourish. He opens up about the teacher who made him feel truly seen, the
responsibility he feels to create opportunities for emerging voices, and why commitment is the word he
hopes will define his life.
André also discusses They Fight, his preparation as a character actor, Harper Road, and the Holland
Project’s restoration of Bessemer’s historic Lincoln Theatre.
This is a conversation about calling, craft, second chances, community, and planting trees whose fruit
may belong to the next generation.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
• Why André describes storytelling and service as a calling
• How his parents and Alabama roots shaped his civic responsibility
• Why opportunity—not a lack of talent—often separates people from their potential
• The NYU classroom moment that changed André’s view of his own stories
• How he approaches character work with research, vulnerability, and faith
• Why They Fight resonated with him as a story of mentorship and second chances
• How the Holland Project and Harper Road are creating room for new voices
• Why “committed” is the word André wants attached to his legacy
LISTENER OFFER / FEATURED PROMOTION
Watch They Fight on Hulu: https://www.hulu.com/movie/they-fight-a1bba82e-2550-4ffc-81df-
b973b9c85339
Discover the Holland Project and Lincoln Theatre restoration:
https://www.birminghamtimes.com/2024/10/renovating-bessemers-lincoln-theatre-andre-hollands-next-
act/
CHAPTERS
Timing is grounded in the supplied transcript. Reconfirm against the final uploaded master after
correcting the intro-name issue.
• 00:00 — Welcome to Mick Unplugged
• 01:44 — André’s Because: answering the call
• 04:25 — Family, faith, and growing up in Alabama
• 06:19 — Bessemer, opportunity, and giving back
• 07:44 — The Unplugged Truth: becoming a symbol of hope
• 12:58 — They Fight, second chances, and the craft of acting
• 18:48 — The Room: the teacher who truly saw André
• 23:11 — Creating rooms through the Holland Project and Harper Road
• 29:18 — The Unplugged Five
• 32:20 — Supporting André’s work and closing thoughts
Connect & Discover André Holland:
Instagram: @andreholland
X: @AndreHolland_
The Holland Project — Historic Lincoln Theatre: alabamalincoln.com
Lincoln Theatre on Instagram: @bamalincoln
Support the Restoration (Donate): Give to the Lincoln Theatre
Watch They Fight on Hulu: hulu.com/movie/they-fight
FOLLOW MICK ON:
Spotify: MickUnplugged
Instagram: @mickunplugged
Facebook: @mickunplugged
YouTube: @MickUnpluggedPodcast
LinkedIn: @mickhunt
Website: MickHuntOfficial.com
Website: howtobeagoodleader.com
Website: Leadloudseries.com
Apple: MickUnplugged
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