Meet Sierra Mercer | Writer, Producer, Director & Doll Comic Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sierra Mercer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sierra, is there something you believe many others might not?
*chuckles* I like this question.

As someone who’s rebelled against conformity, and have become the standard for breaking the rules; I’d say much of it – is disagreeable.
How sweet would life be if folk discovered what worked for them, and used that knowledge and success to motivate their favorable outcome? Rinse and repeat.
I’ve gotten a ton of advice when starting lifestyle journeys, branching into the film industry and when I decided not to pursue higher education – and ya know, most of it didn’t matter.
That is because my mindset didn’t align with their beliefs. To their perception, as long as I crossed t’s and dotted i’s, I wouldn’t fail. I didn’t follow their teachings. Truthfully, it wasn’t effective for me.
There’s many pernicious myths in business, fitness, entrepreneurship, and education that have had lasting negative effects by way of following the guidance of others. No amount of how-to’s and playbooks could indicate distinct success when every individual has their own personal preferences and will endure experiences set apart from advisors.
Because I don’t conform to conventional methods, I’ve settled in my consciousness that everyone has wisdom, but it isn’t tangible to every ear that listens.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Sure thing!! Ehhh… I understand even when creatives have comparable ideas that show in our art, there are still elements which are completely unrelated. Like those specific illustrations that define our own tastes and signatures. As for me, the dedication to showcasing melanated stories that are consistently relatable and positive are my direct contribution to the world. I consider myself a modern renaissance writer; if you will. I write poetry, music, short stories, novels, plays, and have tapped into journalism. I’ve also created a doll comics series featuring fictional stories about the lifestyle of a thriving melanated doll community.
Now that I’ve shifted gears and have primarily focused on writing films, I understand I’ve bridged many of these entities together to create a beautiful harmonic structure of tales.
I’ve heard my stories won’t gain recognition if I didn’t do things specific to the storytellers before me, or if I didn’t enlist certain people to shift the narrative. Unfortunately, subscribing to normalcy has never been my thing. DON’T BOX ME IN!! I accept every challenge there is, if it means I don’t subject myself to any kind of pressure to succeed.
To those reading, If ever your ambitions and plans are too big to fit in a lane that has reached capacity, carve a path that’s suitable for the future of your dreams. Even if you unintentionally add some bumps and curves.
I pride myself in remaining true to who I am and where I’ll stand. And I have proudly turned down opportunities that would’ve been financially exceptional, yet spiritually draining. I am always changing, but never will I compromise.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Now I know I’m based in North Carolina, but I haven’t seen much of the whole state to give recommendations. New York City is where the magic happens. As a tourists destination, you wouldn’t be able to cover a quart of fun in a week’s time. There’s so many shops, restaurants and bars to explore. It’s a literal excursion from your time of arrival, and a culture center for meeting new people. Central Park is also a great spot for relaxation, picnics, and trails. Here in the south, I love the white sand beaches in Wilmington, and delicious pizza at The Crabtree Valley Mall – which is reminiscent of pizza back home in NYC. Haha! Home is just better! *shrugs*

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Wow! This is a significant part of the interview. Amazing! Okay… So there’s a plethora of people, places and things that are owed high praise.

I’d begin with my grandmother. She left a small town in North Carolina to pursue her dreams in NYC at the age of 18. She had five children (one of which is my mother – author, Regina Young) who all have unique and special qualities that are parts of her creative and intellectual gifts. My love for the arts began through her perspective of life changes. The freedom she felt to do what made sense to her modeled an array of optimism throughout my own journey ahead. HUGE SHOUTOUT TO MARY GRACE! I am because of her.

I am truly grateful for my tribe of five. My husband and our four children are always the first to know my interests, ideas, lows and highs. My husband has been here throughout every twist and turn. When things are uneasy and I’m ready to throw the towel in, It is he that uplifts me and makes life easier. I don’t imagine a better set of folk to shout out than those who are intimately connected to me. They are my life.

I’m honored to present flowers to a group of people who’ve inspired my safe place in artistry over the years. I humbly give many thanks to Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, James Baldwin, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Debbie Allen, Phylicia Rashad, Spike Lee, Shawn Carter, Eric Jerome Dickey, Zane, Felicia D Henderson, Mara Brock Akil, Bevy Smith, Tyler Perry, Sister Souljah, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Malcolm X.

I’d add my fourth grade teacher, Mr. Barzey. He was exceptional. He was a source of exuberance to all students he taught. His encouragement affirmed that I was on the right path.

Lastly, I must acknowledge my birthplace. Where I was born and raised. I am energetically charged by HARLEM. The world around me provided confidence, courage, strength and passion to express my love for writing. Home is where my heart is.

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Image Credits
CeCeLyric Productions