Actor Mackenro Alexander – Life after football and how being first generation Haitian shaped his life

Mackenro Alexander is someone who embodies resilience and determination in all aspects of life. As a former athlete and now actor, he is working his way into the entertainment industry to become everything he desires. This was an intimate conversation on his transition from sports, but also his own personal development as Black Man.  

“I couldn’t share my dreams of acting with anyone because they had a narrow view of only focusing on Football where I’m from,” said Alexander when I asked him if acting was always something he wanted to pursue. Though acting was always a dream of his he couldn’t express that because his community and social circles only pushed and promoted Football as a means of achievement. Mackenro said, “It was hard for me to communicate with people so I would only share my dreams of acting with the artistry friends.” Early on he understood how to separate himself from both the sports and art world so that he could navigate them without controversy.  

Cultural meaning behind the machete included in the image above. “Growing up Haitian, agriculture & farming played a huge part in life. A machete is a tool to chop off branches in your way while farming or used for shaving a sugar cane, or chopping off a coconut. For me, it represents me chopping down every obstacle I had to face in life.” Alexander 

Mackenro said, “I have always had a balance to myself, which I liked. I never wanted to marry football, but I wanted to be great at it because I’m competitive. And I’m still competitive in the entertainment industry.”  

It was that early morning routine from Football, which he applied to getting his start in acting. “I came into this industry fast and dived right into the craft,” said Alexander. It was with a humble spirit that he tackled the industry by asking peers which classes he should take and understood that he was starting all over. Mackenro said, “I didn’t want to be here just because of looks. I want to be great at the craft and known for that.” That same foundation from waking up at 5 am to train is what he applied to setting a structured acting regime.  

“I keep pushing myself to be better and better. And I have only been acting since 2019,” said Alexander.  

There is a work ethic that he feels gives him an advantage in this industry which he attributes to Football. On and off the field Mackenro had to learn to discipline himself mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually to perform at top peak. This is something so ingrained in him that each acting class or audition he treats as if it’s game time and there are hundreds of people watching.  

“The best investment I made was in myself,” said Alexander as he talked about his next moves after retiring from professional football in 2018. He invested in himself by making the big move to Atlanta where he had nothing lined up, but only a dream. Understanding that he needed to pay his way he became a personal trainer to sustain himself while enrolling in acting classes.  

“I had to learn to be still and present,” said Alexander. 

That first year in Atlanta Mackenro tore his Achilles tendon. Mackenro said, “this was my fifth significant injury.” This time he had to take inventory in himself and see why things like this kept happening to him. He realized it was God telling him to be still for a moment and be present. It was easier said than done for the ex-athlete who only understood how to keep moving and pushing forward in life. “As Black men in America I think that concept of being still and present is hard because we have this pressure of being financially stable and making sure we have everything together.”  

Though he had this pressure to be the best and being green in a new industry and city, he took this moment of stillness with joy. “This was the best moment of my life because I actually took the time to stop and smell the flowers,” said Alexander.  

Mackenro opened up about being a first generation Haitian American in his family and how it affected him growing up in Florida. “My parents are extremely beautiful Haitian people who didn’t speak English and came to America to pursue a better life for us,” said Alexander. At an early age he felt this weight on his shoulders to make them proud and to be successful because of the sacrifices he saw them make daily. He recalled many times when his parents would ask him to read and explain certain bills and documents because they didn’t speak English. Moments like these were common for Mackenro who had to grow up faster than most and take on a lot of responsibility. 

“I was at this place where I’m not Haitian enough to be Haitian but also not Black enough to be Black in America,” said Alexander.  

Growing up for him was a constant conflict of not just being a support system for his family but also finding his own identity. Mackenro said, “I could speak Haitian French enough but not enough for the Haitians and I didn’t have the Black experience enough for the Black community.” This was another time in his life where he had to find balance once again in how Mackenro would be. 

Mackenro Alexander’s story is one that inspires me to see that regardless of where you come from, where you might have been at the highest point in your life, that starting over can be the best thing life offers you.