Uncomfortable Conversations with David Cork

David Cork is taking charge in having conversations that might seem unconventional or taboo within the African American community on many levels. This actor, singer, writer, director, and creator is making it his mission to create dialogue that not only empowers African American men, but gives them the safe space to see themselves reflected in a light that is often not available. From television shows to indie films, David is working tirelessly to get the community to start talking about subjects that need to not be left unspoken. 

“Whatever I do I always ask myself what’s the message.”

This Indianapolis native knew early on he was meant for two things: to connect with others and to create impact. Both would be through a form of storytelling— the tool that he views as the most powerful to get a message across. “I’m always focused on what message is being conveyed,” answered Cork when I asked where he got his inspiration from for his work. For him it’s about stories that really do speak for him and most times the stories he tells are those he has lived. You see this in his earlier and present works, such as the acclaimed web series “Bi The Webseries & the anticipated documentary No Homo / No Hetero. 

“I felt like both communities looked down on me for being bisexual”

The series and documentary are outlets created by David to help the next generation of younger black men that may one day identify as bisexual. “I want to help them understand that it’s okay,” said Cork. The next generation is his focus because they are the ones being affected now more than ever with social media and all forms of instantaneous communication. As happy as he is that people are now more than ever being proud to self identify, there is still a negative stigma on those who classify themselves as bisexual, especially in the African American community. 

“You create from the interior of your soul”

From combating biphobia with his work to encouraging people to seek help, David looks to stop those “generational traumas” we carry within our community. “It wasn’t until I started going to therapy that I realized that how I was dealing with certain events weren’t helpful,” said Cork as he reflected on the depression he experienced during the pandemic. This inward journey led to him co-writing Ellis By Himself, a short film on a man in isolation dealing with depression during the pandemic. This was a way for him to voice the depression he was going through but also to create something that people could resonate with. 

“He told me I couldn’t be myself to make it in the industry”

David shared a story when a manager told him that he wouldn’t be able to make it in the industry being himself— and by being himself he meant being openly bisexual. This wasn’t a box he was going to subject himself to. “I don’t want the kid behind me to feel they can’t be their full self to make it on tv,” said Cork. This is why he continues to make progressive strides with his projects. The time is now that our community is starting to celebrate people for who they are and he wants to keep that energy going. Too many black queer people of color, especially black men, are put in boxes that are at times impossible to get out of. His work and how it shows up to the world is his way of making sure that they presently and in the future see that you don’t have to ever be boxed in.

Two things are clear after speaking with David: He wants everyone to be okay with who they are and to be okay with asking for help.