We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Abdourahamane Barry. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Abdourahamane below.
Hi Abdourahamane, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
At just 10 years old, my father left our family—my mother, my two younger brothers, and me—and returned to Guinea, West Africa. I’ll never forget the day he walked my younger brother and me to school, tears streaming down his face. He knew what he was about to do and told me, “If I ever leave, you’ll have to step up and take care of your mother and your brothers.” At the time, I thought he was dying. But when he didn’t return home for two nights, we realized he had left for good.
From that point on, life changed. My mother did her best, but we often couldn’t afford lunch money or basic necessities. I didn’t understand the cost of rent and bills, but I knew enough to sense the burden. I’ve felt the sting of eviction, and I’ll never forget the helpless look on my mother’s face—like she had no answers.
I got my first job sweeping laundromats in our neighborhood. After that, I started bagging groceries at the supermarket. I’d tell my mom I was out playing basketball, but in reality, I was hustling to help in any way I could. One day, she went to the park looking for me and didn’t find me there. That was the day I got the beating of my life—but I still never told her what I was actually doing. I just wanted to help.
I’ve been working since I was 10 years old. Over time, the relationship with my father faded, and resentment began to grow. I just wanted to be a kid. But before his passing in April 2019, we were able to repair our bond. I heard him say, “I’m proud of you,” and those words meant the world to me.
To this day, people tell me I work too much or don’t rest enough. But that’s just how I’m wired—I don’t know how to sit still. I always have to be doing something. It’s the only way I know how to live.
Today, I wear many hats: I’m an actor, the CEO & Creative Director of Ko Choix Fashion, the Billing & Finance Manager at the Pulmonary Wellness Complex, and a licensed real estate agent in New York (something most people don’t even know about).
My father’s absence, my upbringing, and everything I’ve overcome shaped my work ethic—and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
First things first—and I say this with pride—I’m from Harlem, New York. Anyone from Harlem knows the deal: if you ask us what borough we’re from, we won’t say Manhattan—we say Harlem. It’s not that we don’t know our boroughs; we just rep Harlem heavy.
I’m a fashion designer first, and that path eventually led me into acting. My bespoke clothing line, Ko Choix Fashion, opened the door to the film and television industry. Originally, I only wanted to be on production sets to connect with wardrobe stylists and get my designs in front of the right eyes. But the more time I spent on set, the more I fell in love with the atmosphere.
I officially launched Ko Choix in July 2021. Just a few months later, in the fall, I booked my first background role. I didn’t even care about the check—I was there for the connections. My first ever role, I was I got to wear one of my suits on-screen in Rap Sh!t, directed by Issa Rae, which gave me a bit more traction in both industries. Acting still wasn’t my main focus, but I was starting to think seriously about it because I enjoyed being on set that much.
Later that year, I built a great connection with a wardrobe stylist on Raising Kanan. Being on set was exciting, but I realized the long hours were taking time away from growing my fashion brand. So I made the tough call to pause acting and focus on fashion. I prepped for New York Fashion Week and submitted Ko Choix to the Flying Solo NYFW show for Spring 2023—and I got in. Every dollar I earned from background acting went into making that show a success.
To my surprise, the wardrobe stylist from Raising Kanan showed up to my NYFW showcase. That moment opened even more doors. Summer 2023 was a turning point: that same stylist reached out to purchase suits for the show’s West African-themed wedding scene. My designs—infused with West African Ankara prints—fit perfectly. Not only did they buy three suits, but they also cast me again as a background actor, wearing Ko Choix Fashion on set alongside more than 100 other actors. That day, I connected with several new clients. What started as a strategic way to get my clothing line noticed was finally paying off.
That summer, I also signed with my first agency, The Wayne Agency. My agent, Tracey Anbiya, saw something special in me and told me she believed I’d be number one on the call sheet one day. I’m still with them and pushing forward—representing both myself as an actor and Ko Choix Fashion as a brand.
Looking ahead, I’ve got my first horror film coming out in Fall 2025, along with other exciting projects in the works. I still do background work—not just for the check, but for the networking—but my main focus now is landing lead and supporting roles while continuing to expand Ko Choix.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Three qualities/skills that were most impactful in my journey would have to be my resilience, my relationship building, and my creative vision.
Resilience because from a young age, life required me to be strong. Losing the physical presence of my father at 10 shifted everything. I started working not out of choice, but necessity. That early grind taught me how to keep pushing, no matter how hard it gets. Resilience helped me navigate uncertain finances, long days on set, and the overwhelming pressure of building a brand from the ground up. My advice to others would be that life will test you especially when you’re trying to chase a dream. You have to expect setbacks, but more importantly, expect to overcome them. Build a mindset where obstacles don’t stop you, but rather redirect you.
Relationship building because my entire entry into the film industry came from genuine connections. I didn’t start acting for fame; I did it to meet stylists and get Ko Choix Fashion noticed. But by being consistent, respectful, and authentic, those relationships naturally opened new doors for both acting and fashion. My advice to others would be to network with intention. Don’t just look for what someone can do for you. Focus on building real relationships, and lead with value, ALWAYS. The people you meet today might be the ones who change your life tomorrow.
Creative vision because Ko Choix isn’t just clothing. It’s storytelling. It’s culture. It’s identity. My designs reflect my West African roots while speaking to modern style. Having a clear vision and staying true to it gave my work a distinct voice that resonated with others. My final advice would be to own your voice. Whether you’re in fashion, film, or any other creative field, clarity of vision is what will set you apart. Don’t be afraid to be bold, different, or personal with your craft.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
Right now, the biggest challenge I’m facing is finding balance between building Ko Choix Fashion and growing my acting career. Both industries demand time, energy, and presence and sometimes it feels like I have to sacrifice one to give the other the attention it deserves.
Fashion requires deep focus: design, production, client relationships, and managing the business side. Acting, on the other hand, demands flexibility, long hours on set, ongoing training, auditions, and the emotional presence to deliver strong performances. Both are passions of mine, but they often pull me in different directions at the same time.
How I’m working through it is by learning to prioritize and structure my time with intention. I’ve started breaking down my weeks into blocks basically dedicating specific days or windows for design work, business strategy, and creative development, while leaving room for auditions, or filming. At the end of this summer I will be attending my first ever acting class as well. So, just another burden to add, but something I know I’ll be able to work around.
I’m learning to give myself grace. There’s pressure to be everywhere at once and to move fast, but I’m realizing that sustainability matters more than speed. If I want to build something that lasts in both fashion and film, I have to be patient, intentional, and take care of my own well-being along the way.
This season of my journey is about alignment, not just hustle. I’m still learning, still adjusting, but I know that staying grounded in my purpose, and being open to evolving, will carry me through.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kochoix.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_mister_barry/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdourahamanebarry
- Other: My imdb page: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13544923/
Image Credits
NYFW Flying Solo show.
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