Omari Hardwick

Born "Omari Latif Hardwick," he grew up in Decatur, Georgia. Hardwick's parents gave him a name with significant meanings, "Omari" meaning "most high," and "Latif" meaning "gentle." He shares, "I in no way believe that I am the highest or most high, but I feel like my name gives me something to strive for." From a young age, Hardwick was engaged in sports, but he also had a strong passion for the arts. By the age of 14, he was regularly writing poetry, a passion that continued into adulthood. He excelled in basketball, baseball, and football in high school and played football at the University of Georgia. While a star athlete, Hardwick pursued acting and minored in theater in college, merging his athletic discipline with his artistic pursuits.

After graduating, Hardwick moved to San Diego to join the San Diego Chargers (NFL), but a knee injury prematurely ended his football career. He then shifted his focus back to acting, moving to New York to study his craft more intensively. In New York, Hardwick studied off-Broadway until 2000, when he relocated to Los Angeles. As he struggled to establish his acting career, he worked various jobs to afford acting classes, and at one point, lived out of his car. Reflecting on those times, Hardwick notes, "What is so crazy, is that where I presently shoot my series 'Dark Blue,' is where I lived in my car when I first moved to Los Angeles. It is surreal at times."

In addition to his acting career, Hardwick has made significant contributions to educational and artistic communities through the Omari Hardwick bluapple Poetry Network. This multi-faceted, after-school spoken word poetry program, established under the umbrella of the Jason Taylor Foundation, is offered free to students in Broward County public schools, ranging from select elementary schools to high schools. The initiative aims to cultivate an environment where young people can embrace their artistic talents and express themselves creatively. Furthermore, the success of this program led to the launch of the Omari Hardwick bluapple Poetry Corner in October 2011, based at the Jason Taylor Reading Room in Miramar, focusing on middle and high school students. Hardwick also extended his reach into radio, hosting the Omari Hardwick bluapple Poetry Network radio show, which debuted on November 11, 2013, and airs every Monday on WKPX 88.5 from 5 to 6 PM, offering an additional platform for poetry and creative expression.