LaRoyce
Hawkins

Born and raised in Harvey, Illinois, LaRoyce Hawkins is an actor, spoken word artist, poet, comedian, and motivational speaker whose career spans television, film, theatre, and the live stage.

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Best known for his longtime role as Officer Kevin Atwater on NBC's hit drama Chicago P.D. — a role he has owned for over a decade and 250+ episodes — Hawkins has also appeared in Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago Justice. In 2025, he expanded into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, portraying Gary Williams in the Disney+ miniseries Ironheart.

A self-described "born poet," Hawkins integrates spoken word into live performances exploring themes of spirituality, resilience, and the human experience. He launched the Right On, Write On poetry tour, blending comedy, storytelling, and performance poetry into an experience that moves audiences as much as it motivates them. As a keynote speaker, he translates his entertainment industry journey into actionable insight — addressing themes of perseverance, team cohesion, and excellence with the same authenticity he brings to every role.

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Beyond the screen, Hawkins is the founder of BPWRFL (Be Powerful) — a creative campaign and corporation designed to heal and harmonize underserved communities, with his hometown of Harvey, Illinois as the priority. His mission: to add rhythm and relief to spaces that need it — countering negative narratives about Harvey through art, community investment, and cultural presence. BPWRFL includes community beautification efforts, public art installations, and an apparel line that directs a portion of every sale back into the Harvey community. The foundation has also awarded scholarships to students from the area, extending opportunity to the next generation of young people from the same streets that shaped him.

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His brand partnerships reflect the same values — serving as the Voice of the Chicago White Sox, a two-time regional face of the Salvation Army (for which he wrote and co-produced Emmy Award-winning content), and a partner with We Day, Covenant House, and Kicks 4 the City. Through his White Sox partnership, he was able to provide Harvey's Little League with new jerseys and equipment — proof that he leverages every platform in service of where he comes from. He also served as the first host of the Columbian Ball at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry, helping raise over one million dollars for underserved young scientists in the Chicago community.

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LaRoyce Hawkins is a multidimensional artist, speaker, and community architect — for whom every stage, screen, and platform is an opportunity to inspire.

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