Kofi Siriboe Talks Understanding His African Roots and “Queen Sugar” in New Essence Issue

As a star of OWN’s drama series, “Queen Sugar”, Kofi Siriboe has caught our attention with his impeccable acting skills and his off-screen people skills.

At only 23-years-old, Siriboe plays Ralph Angel on the series, the youngest brother of the Bordelon family. As Ralph attempts to reclaim his rights as co-owner of the sugar cane farm, he must also deal with the stresses of fatherhood and managing a business.
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“When I read the description, Ralph Angel was in a hard place,” said the Ghanaian-American actor to Essence for their Dec 2017/Jan 2018 issue.
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“He was with his son and about to rob a liquor store, but I didn’t see him as aggressive. I just thought he was broken. Even though I have not been incarcerated and don’t have a son, I remember a time when I felt broken. I also know what it’s like to try so hard and feel as if the world is against you.”
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Just like his character, Siriboe is working to establish his name in the business. With his debut project, “Jump,” and his appearance in the box office smash film “Girls Trip,” Siriboe is constantly working to build his resume. But the same passion he has for acting, he also has for gaining a deeper understanding of his African roots.
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“In first grade, I was asked ‘What’s your favorite food?’ I said, ‘Fufu,’ and everybody laughed. I also remember asking my teacher not to say my full name, Nana-Kofi [Nana means ‘son of kings’]. Last year I went to Kumasi, in Ghana, for the first time and met the king, whose real name is Nana.”
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“I didn’t always understand the roots that are woven into my name, but that realization is happening now.”