Meet Elijah Rashad

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Elijah Rashad. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Elijah below.

Elijah, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?

When I think about optimism, I see it as a form of curiosity—not skeptical, but fueled by faith, even in difficult circumstances. Optimism keeps hope alive. It’s the drive to keep pushing forward, growing, making change, and defying the odds, big or small. For me, optimism reminds me of my mom, who remained hopeful while raising our family against all challenges, prioritizing a better future for us.

Growing up, my family faced many obstacles: my parents’ divorce, being raised by a single mom with four siblings, and constantly changing schools. These shifts taught me to adapt quickly and empowered me through resilience. Every morning on the way to school, my mom had my sister and I read Psalm 91 and Proverbs 4—chapters filled with hope, strength, wisdom, and best of all, optimism. Looking back, I realize she was planting seeds of faith that I would continue to nurture throughout my life.

One thing I know for sure is that God’s word always prevails. Whether spoken, written, or thought, His words carry life and purpose. As I reflect on optimism, I’m encouraged by the reminder that God has never failed me and won’t start now. I know there’s much in life I can’t control, but when faced with adversity, I trust the One who holds everything in His hands and believe things will unfold as they’re meant to.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Acting has always been my passion. I knew from the age of 8 that this was the career I wanted to pursue. Watching movies with my family—staying through the credits and bloopers—sparked my curiosity about how stories and emotions are authentically conveyed, and how powerful that can be for an audience. I love acting because I’m drawn to stories that create a meaningful impact.

I was first introduced to the world of acting through theater. Growing up, I performed in school plays, community theater, and original musicals throughout college. I also had the opportunity to study with the Shakespeare Theatre Company and receive vocal training from Tony-nominated Broadway actress, Vivian Reed.

Although moving to LA at the time felt somewhat like an unexpected leap, diving into film and television has been nothing short of a ruthless rollercoaster of a journey. It feels like I’m constantly relearning the craft, which is one of the things I love about acting—the chance to discover something new, whether about the art itself, human nature, or myself.

In the four years I’ve been in LA, I’ve been fortunate to be cast in several short films and social ads with brands like Dr. Pepper, Adobe, and Mackie. Later this year, I’m excited to share that you can watch me make my guest appearance in the second season of “Mind Your Business” on Amazon Prime Video.

When I’m not honing my craft as an actor, I have a deep passion for photography. I’ve loved it since a young age as well, seeing it as a way to capture fleeting moments that can inspire both myself and others, while offering a glimpse into the future we envision. I find great intrigue in how subjects can shape their surroundings, whether naturally or through guidance. Ultimately, I see it as my responsibility to capture the essence of whatever—or whomever—is before my lens and share that with the world.

Much like acting, photography is about storytelling—transforming a fleeting moment into a timeless memory. As for the type of photographer I am, I’m still discovering that for myself, as inspiration strikes from everywhere. Although, most of my work has focused on maternity, engagement, editorial, travel, and family portraits. I’m also in the process of finalizing my website, where you can view my portfolio or book me as your next photographer. Be on the lookout for One Shot Closer Photography Spring 2025!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Compassion is a core value that I place at the forefront of who I am. I believe it is a quality that has, to some degree, become scarce in certain parts of the world, which often lead to feelings of misunderstanding and unresolved conflicts. Compassion is intrinsically linked to love; as much as we show compassion to ourselves, it should be equally extended to others. This principle has been profoundly impactful in my journey, allowing me to empathize with those who have previously been met with apathy, and in turn, fostering healthier relationships with those around me.

Through compassion, I’ve had the privilege of working in roles that were initially outside my qualifications. For example, I worked with The Children’s Guild, a DC Public Charter School, and at All Walks of Life, LLC, a premier urban healthcare center providing mental rehabilitation services, mentorship, and comprehensive care. Although I was still pursuing my degree at the time, I approached these opportunities with compassion, and through that, I found success in helping others along the way.

Some may perceive compassion as a weakness or believe there is such a thing as being “too” accommodating. However, I view it as an essential aspect of a growth mindset—one that nurtures deeper, more personal relationships with others and with oneself. Extending compassion requires emotional intelligence; it’s not simply reacting to impulses, but asking, “If I were in this situation, how would I want to be seen or supported?” This is, at its core, the golden rule of life.

I would also like to highlight my tendency to embrace risk, which, in my view, requires both tremendous courage and self-awareness. I take great pride in stepping outside of my comfort zone and pursuing new experiences—what some might even describe as a “thrill-seeker” mentality. While I do maintain certain boundaries, when the conditions are right, I often find myself surprising even my own expectations by undertaking things I once thought were unattainable or far beyond reach. Some prime examples include, as previously mentioned, relocating to Los Angeles to pursue a career in a highly competitive industry, traveling to my grandfather’s homeland in the Philippines to engage in missionary work, offering emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical support to families, or, more recently, learning how to do a backflip!

The truth is, you’ll never truly know the potential greatness of an experience—whether it’s a success or a lesson—if you allow yourself to be paralyzed by innumerous hypotheticals. Be optimistic, take the leap, and embrace the risk. Life is meant to be lived, and you’ll find that you learn and grow as you go. It’s also important to clarify that my decision-making is always guided by rational thought. If the action isn’t life-threatening to yourself or others and aligns with healthy moral standards, I encourage you to take the chance!

Above all, I want to emphasize the significance of prayer in my life. Every pivotal decision, every moment of uncertainty, and every morning and night, I engage in conversation or meditation with God. Prayer has consistently been my sanctuary, a place of peace where I find rest in the knowledge that what lies beyond my control is entrusted to the One who holds it all.

In the past, I often found myself overwhelmed, trying to accomplish my goals on my own, relying solely on my strength, understanding, and what I believed was best for me. Yet, each time I took this approach, the outcomes rarely turned out as I hoped. I would rush through things, resulting in disastrous outcomes, or retreat into a numbed state of anxiety.

I’m not suggesting that my life has been without its challenges, even with prayer. However, through prayer, I’ve found the courage to confront each obstacle, knowing that all things are working together for my good and His glory (Romans 8:28). I no longer have to be governed by the circumstances around me because I walk by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7), trusting that, with every step I take, He will guide me the rest of the way, with compassion and throughout every risk.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

My family has been instrumental in my ability to persevere through challenges and cultivate the essential skills and knowledge needed to succeed. As the youngest of 6, I was fortunate to witness the life lessons my siblings learned along the way. Their experiences and wisdom, have been invaluable in shaping my own path.

As I grew and developed my own sense of purpose, the decision to leave home and venture into the unknown — though incredibly difficult — was made possible by the love and support of my family. It wasn’t easy being the youngest and moving the farthest, but I knew it was time for the seed that had been planted to grow elsewhere. During moments of doubt, it was their unwavering belief in me, their investment in my dreams, and the constant showering of unconditional love that provided the solid foundation on which I stand today.

Each of my siblings played a crucial role in my upbringing, especially as our mother worked tirelessly to provide for our future. We moved frequently, navigating one school after another, but through it all, my family helped provide when it came down to any extracurricular activities, they’ve acted as life coaches, and embodied sacrifice, generosity, acceptance, and compassion; traits that I do my best to share with others in my everyday life.

Our experiences have taught me that, when faced with adversity, it is crucial to reassess and power through. As a family, we have known the hardship of losing everything — from eviction to the absence of a father in the home, compounded by the struggles of growing up in a low-income environment. Yet, it was through these challenges that we learned to quickly adapt without conforming, work diligently, and make sacrifices to achieve our goals, fully understanding what it means to live without but not letting that stop us from obtaining a life worth living. Moreover, as we navigated these obstacles with resilience, we developed a unique sense of identity, characterized by an entrepreneurial spirit, a drive to defy expectations, and an unwavering commitment to creative problem-solving.

Though I didn’t fully grasp it at the time, my mother’s relentless work ethic instilled in me the same drive to persist until I succeed. Raising a family on her own was no small feat — something I can hardly imagine as I contemplate the prospect of having a child(ren) of my own one day. Ultimately, it is because of our shared experiences that I am now able to face and overcome any challenge life presents.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.backstage.com/u/elijah-rashad/
• Instagram: @nonchvlvnt

Image Credits

Alisha Jucevic
April Rashad
Doron Morgan
Elijah Rashad (self)
Josh Norris
Luke Gresback
Therrell Clark
Trevor M. Edwards