‘Sistas’ cast member Branden Wellington reflects on childhood in Indy

From “America in 4 Minutes” to “Sistas,” actor, poet, writer and comedian Branden Wellington’s roots connect him back home. Although he spent some time in South Florida, Wellington was primarily raised in Indiana alongside two older and two younger brothers and sisters. Before becoming a recurring guest star on “Orange Is the New Black” and ensemble cast member in Tyler Perry’s “Sistas” and winning an Emmy Award for his spoken word poetry, Wellington developed his love for the arts right there in Indianapolis. “It almost felt underworldly, the way things fell in the place,” Wellington said. “I always tell people that if I had to do my life over, I would never do it again, because I got too lucky on the first go around.” From a young age, Wellington knew he wanted to pursue a career in entertainment. He had an affinity for jokes and making people laugh and experience as a rapper doing battles in the city; he even followed sports for a while. However, Wellington said he fell in with the wrong crowd and was almost killed during a mall shooting when he was 16. “I think somewhere between losing my life to foolishness as a teenager,...