(Photo: Kelvin Williams)
For Broderick Hunter, the word faith is not just a belief; it’s a lifestyle that has become the secret to his success.
After a college basketball injury, Hunter pivoted and took a leap of faith in a totally different direction that catapulted him from the basketball court to the fashion runway. From walking in Dsquared2’s runway show in Milan, to appearing as the love interest in both Ciara’s “Sorry” music video and Chloe Bailey’s “Surprise” music video, and also landing the Polo Ralph Lauren ‘U.S. Open’ collection campaign… Broderick Hunter is a fashion brother worth championing.
“Modeling became a part of the conversation when I was 19, because after my basketball career, I wanted to see where my life was going next and where God could use me,” he says. “I had no idea what that looked like until I was approached with an opportunity to do a photoshoot with a photographer, and that was the catalyst for my career.”
Standing tall at 6’2”, the 34-year-old male model has already been christened one of “The Sexiest Men Alive” by People magazine. He’s also appeared within the pages of Essence, Vogue Paris, Maxim, Italian GQ, and Cosmopolitan.
When asked if he’s had a: ‘Mama, I made it!’ moment in his career thus far, Hunter shared a Facebook memory photo (from 2012) that highlighted his first fashion campaign shoot—a collaborative project for Issa Rae’s denim line that appeared in Essence. “I remember opening up the magazine and saying, ‘Wow, that’s me!’,” he says.
That same photo made for a full-circle moment, as he would later go on to star opposite Rae (whom he admires for her resilience in the often male-dominated entertainment industry) in her hit HBO series, “Insecure.” Hunter says, “Some of my other ‘made it’ moments include me seeing myself evolve into different characters for different projects. And asking myself if I was the same person going into various spaces, working with Ralph Lauren, Jussie Smollett, or Robert De Niro.
“I was taking on different forms of what it meant to be a presence in those spaces,” he adds.
Sharing what it means to be “influential,” the multi-talented actor, male supermodel, content creator, and social media figure prides himself on being able to give back. When he’s not in front of the camera, Hunter teaches a Master Class series for his followers (inclusive of aspiring models and creatives), and advises individuals on how to navigate the fashion industry, personal branding, and self-care tips.
“I have a lot of young men who follow me and routinely ask what kind of clothes they should rock, or how to style their hair. They even tell me if they didn’t grow up with a brother or a dad, and ask if I can teach them how to shave,” Hunter says. “Being of service to them, by helping them, brings so much joy to my life.”
Having grown up in California, those types of interactive fan moments have become defining career points for Hunter, as he’s always attributed his success to his faith, along with receiving inspiration and motivation from his parents and sister. Reflecting on the importance of family, Hunter says, “Faith and family are always important to me. My mom is a prayer warrior, and that is what drove our family together—always praying and putting God first, and I’m grateful for that.”
In celebrating his family’s heritage and mixed ethnicity (his mother is half-Nigerian and his father is African-American), Hunter shares, “I definitely feel like my upbringing—with my mom’s side from the South, and my dad from Detroit—coupled with me growing up in California helped me to become more aware of who I am as a Black man in the entertainment world; while simultaneously trying to become more Christ-like.”
“And I’m actually named after my dad. Broderick is a German name that ironically translates to the word brother. So, being a part of this inaugural issue of Brother Magazine is a great gift that I give God the glory for, and look forward to sharing with everyone,” he adds.
Always one to encourage others and share in the dream of achieving one’s goals, he says, “If I could impart any wisdom to my community of brothers to help see themselves in a new light, I would say to go where you are celebrated, not tolerated.”
Up next, Hunter will be sourcing through several acting projects that are in conversation for television and film, but he ultimately wants to see himself in stories and spaces that project hope in a spiritual sense.“I’m never shy to bring up the name of God in any space, because He allows me to see the extraordinary.”
𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐒:
𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌
-Founder + Editorial Director: Avon Dorsey (@MrDoorSee)
-Photographer + Creative Director: Kelvin Williams (@Kelvins.Scale)
-Editorial Projects Manager: Latease Lashley (@LashFash)
-Partnerships, Planning + Promotions Manager: Chanel Clemons (@ChanelTreCreative)
-Community Manager: Tyler Harris (@TylerrHarriss)
-Editorial Team Lead: Dami Ariyo (@MissusMonroe)
-Styling + VIP Team Lead: Jada Adkins (@TheJclub_)
-West Coast Team Lead: Imari Gabrielle (@ImariGabrielle)
-West Coast Coordinator: Marché Dorsey (@Ms.Dorsey_)
-Grooming: Zola Headley (@Zoey.BadAsss)
-Team Assistant: Sabrina Robertson (@BrieWithAnIE)
-Production Interns (Pre-Launch + Returns): Mya Brown (@MyaSummer_), and Carlos Mendoza (@CarlosXmendoza)
𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐃𝐔𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌
-Digital Tech: Tim Zwicky (@TimothyZwicky)
-DP + Video: Desmond Reich (@DesmondReich)
𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌
-Cover Talent: Broderick Hunter (@BroderickHunter)
-Manager: Chris Holland (@DukeOfHollander)
-Agency: @FordModels (Dorian Lowe) @Dorian4real
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-Tiffany James (MBG360) @MyMBG360
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