Boris Kodjoe, an influential actor who has appeared in everything from movies and television shows to Broadway productions, uses his position in the spotlight to advocate for child health initiatives and the fight against malnutrition in developing countries.
Kodjoe was raised in Gundelfingen, Germany by his mother Ursula, a German psychologist, and his father Eric, a physician originally from Ghana. In an interview with AALBC, he described his childhood as “full of fun and outdoor adventure… very sane and well rounded.” At a young age, Kodjoe developed a passion for tennis and played throughout his time at Virginia Commonwealth University, quickly rising to become one of the top athletes in Germany. Following a career-ending injury, he turned his attention towards modeling and acting.
The 2000 film, Love and Basketball, marked Kodjoe’s break into Hollywood and solidified his presence in the acting world. He has since appeared in over 25 movies and television shows, including Madea’s Family Reunion, The Gospel, and House of Cards. His role as Damon Carter on the show Soul Food landed him numerous NAACP Image Award Nominations. Additionally, Kodjoe dabbled on Broadway with his role of Brick in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, which he described as, “A dream come true... getting to play one of the significant roles in one of the most significant classics. I was honored and humbled by the experience.”
In addition to his acting accomplishments, Kodjoe devotes his time to business and philanthropy. In 2010, he launched the company World of Alfa, which seeks to make high-end clothing styles affordable to the average customer, and implements initiatives to empower small business developments. Along with his wife, Nicole Ari Parker, he established the Sophie’s Voice Foundation (SVF) in honor of his daughter Sophie, who was diagnosed with a birth defect, Spina Bifida. The SVF, now known as the Kodjoe Family Foundation, works to prevent Spina Bifita through research and education initiatives and provides support for the families of children affected by the illness. In partnership with GAIN, SVF has turned its attention towards fighting malnutrition in developing countries, particularly in West Africa.
Over the years, Kodjoe’s dedication to Africa became more apparent. He serves on the board of directors at FOCOS, an international organization founded by Dr. Oheneba Boachie-Adjei,
which seeks to provide quality orthopedic care to patients throughout Africa. Kodjoe further extended his commitment to the continent by participating in the Full Circle Festival, also known as The Year of The Return in 2019. The event was a week-long immersion trip to welcome influential members of the African diaspora back to Ghana. He contributed to the festival goals by taking celebrity friends and influencers who inspired cross-cultural learning, collaboration, and community reinvestment. Since then, Ghana has become a tourist destination for many living in the United States, the UK, and other countries. Ghana recorded a 45 percent increase in arrivals from the previous years according to data from the YoR Secretariat in Accra.
Kodjoe’s impressive acting credentials, dedication to children’s health, and focus on advocacy across the African continent make him SIA-Africa’s person of the month. Kodjoe has used his public career and position of influence to help people and also to shine a positive light on Africa. He declared in an interview with AALBC: “I want to be remembered as a great father, and as
someone who inspired people to have integrity and drive.”
