Trivia

She grew up in Potomac, Maryland, and Los Angeles, California; and spent a short period in Dakar, Senegal.

Her father, Abdoulaye Diop, is a doctor from Senegal and her mother, Delyna Diop (née Hayward), is an educator, who is African-American, from Louisiana.

She first began writing and acting while in college.

Graduated from Stanford University in 2007 with a major in African and African-American Studies.

Received the "Vanguard Award" at the 10th annual Essence Black Women In Hollywood event, February, 2017.

She considered going to business school or law school before her acting career began.

Merited a place in TIME magazine's ''The 100 Most Influential People'' (pioneers) with an homage penned by Mindy Kaling [April 2018].

Niece of visual artist Rae Louise Hayward, co-founder of the Art of Living Black, an annual group art exhibition in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Second cousin with actress Taye Hansberry.

Has four siblings.