Ali wuxuu dhashay Mahershalalhashbaz Gilmore sanadkii 1974, Oakland, California, oo uu dhalay Phillip Gilmore (1956<unk>1994) iyo Willicia Goines (d.1957). Wuxuu ku soo barbaaray Hayward, California hooyadiis, wasiir Baabtiisaha ah. Aabihiis wuxuu ahaa jilaa ka soo muuqday Broadway. Maher-shalal-hash-baz waa magaca ilmo nebi ah oo ku jira cutubka 8aad ee Kitaabka Quduuska ah ee Isaiah. Wuxuu ka qaybgalay St. Mary's College of California (SMC) ee Moraga, California, halkaas oo uu ku qalin jabiyay 1996 oo uu ku qaatay shahaadada isgaarsiinta ballaaran. Wuxuu galay SMC deeq waxbarasho oo kubbadda cagta ah wuxuuna ku socday magaca Hershal Gilmore markii uu u ciyaarayay GaelsC. Wuxuu ka niyad jabiyay fikradda xirfadda isboortiga sababtoo ah daaweynta maalinlaha ah ee kooxda Islaamka, wuxuuna xiiseynayay Hayward, California hooyadiis, wasiir Baabtiisa, wuxuu ahaa jilaa ka soo muuqday Broadway.
Mahershalalhashbaz Gilmore oo ah