Tristan “Mack” Wilds on Legacy & Building Space for Emerging Creatives

I closed out Men’s Mental Health Month with an inspiring conversation with Tristan “Mack” Wilds. Known for his '90s-inspired music and standout acting roles, Wilds is someone many millennials feel they’ve grown up with. From unforgettable series like The Wire and 90210 to cultural faves like Really Love and Praise This, he’s been a staple in our community. That’s why it was a pleasant surprise to learn about his newest venture, Surrounded by Water: a collective co-founded by Wilds and filmmaker Greg Cally to highlight films by and for Black artists.

The pair kicked off the new venture with a one-day film showcase called Surrounded by Stories. The film festival event featured a cocktail hour, film screenings, and a panel of behind-the-scenes conversations with on- and off-screen talent. Guests included Benny Boom, One9, Naturi Naughton, Will Catlett, Patrick Walker, and so many others. “The energy in the building was amazing. The love that we got from the entire community was amazing, just seeing all the people that came out. It was an overwhelming amount of love,” says Wilds.

The team also surprised attendees by awarding the inaugural Michael K. Williams Creative Fellowship to Mitchell Campbell and Jessie Nunoo. This not only honors the legacy of the late, great actor, who served as a mentor to both Wilds and Cally, but also keeps his spirit of generosity alive. “Michael K. Williams was more than just a mentor. He was like a big brother to me. And for him to do the same thing for Greg Cally, it’s indicative of his character. He always said he wanted to be the Berry Gordy of Hollywood so he could introduce undiscovered talent and give them opportunities. Once we realized the platform we had, we realized it’s only right to pay it forward.” When reflecting on mentorship, he also mentioned powerhouses like Will Smith and Jay-Z, and says there are countless others who contributed to his journey.

It’s this kind of attitude that has prompted him to take more of a driver-seat approach to his already successful career. Wilds recently released his own short film, Wouldn't Mean Nuthin', featuring P-Valley's Shannon Thornton, and is looking forward to sharing more of our stories. “I've been in this business since I was about 13 years old. Now that I see how the business moves, how stories are chosen, and how often ours aren’t, I just want to be another voice and opportunity to tell a story, especially from my narrative, a kid from New York who has seen low lows and high highs.”

This is my second conversation with Mack Wilds, and it’s clear that he’s a multi-layered person. He treats his art with such respect, never forgetting that it’s a skill. He credits a book called The War of Art by Steven Pressfield for his way of thinking. “You can look at art more like a job. Go to work whether you feel inspired or not. You have the right to do this. Treat it like a nine-to-five. It’s always a circle. You just have to start the circle, which means you start working.”

Still, take a peek at his social media, and you’ll see family remains the cornerstone of his life, and he’s intentional about showing that. “I understand the constant narrative about Black fathers not showing up, and I want to show a different story. I know a myriad of amazing fathers. But if just being where I am can help change the stigma, that's all I can do.”

When talking to Wilds, you can understand the young kid with ADD who had an exciting love for storytelling a bit more. It’s still there, but through hard work, loved ones, and mentorship, he’s learned to cultivate that passion and grow it into a sustainable career that provides for his family while creating opportunities for others. “I definitely want to dig deeper into film. I love directing, producing, and acting. Right now, my main thing is building a legacy of authenticity and excellence. I want to build something that people can look back on and realize it’s not one note.”

I genuinely can’t wait to see what’s next.