Today we’d like to introduce you to Sierra Mercer.
Hi Sierra, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Well for starters – I NEVER miss an opportunity to scream to the masses that Harlem made me.
Growing up in Harlem, New York, I was surrounded by art, culture, creativity, and the beauty of seeing Black people thrive in every form of expression. It shaped who I am and planted the seeds for the storyteller I would eventually become. I had no choice but to find my creative lane.
My first inspiration came from my beautiful grandmother. She was a writer & chef who raised five gifted and talented children, and I was blessed to be reared by her. Looking back, it’s no surprise that the writing bug found me early. I’ve been obsessed with words for as long as I can remember. I have vivid memories of spelling and understanding words beyond my age, completely fascinated by language and the power it held.
What began as a love for words soon evolved into a love for storytelling. I enjoyed writing short stories just as much as I loved reading them. My imagination was wild, and I was constantly inspired to create images in my head of the world’s authors created. I developed a deep love for reading, writing, and storytelling. I wasn’t just interested in words on a page anymore. I craved the idea of bringing stories to life just the same.
A few short years into my love for words, I had formed a R&B girl group in fourth grade. I wrote the original music, and even helped create a music video with the support of our school counselors. Creating became second nature to me.
It wasn’t long before I was selected as best writer for my school and eventually received the District award in fifth grade. That honor led to an elite recognition dinner attended by our borough president and other political leaders, where I was also awarded scholarship funds. For a young girl from Harlem, that experience was incredibly affirming and showed me that my gift had value.
By middle school, I was writing plays for both my school and church. I eventually began working on a novel the summer of seventh grade called ‘Nothing To Lose.’ Creating was certainly my language. Whether it was stories, music, or performance, I wanted to explore every corner of it.
As I grew older, Music remained a major part of my creative journey, forming yet another group – only this time in church. Writing original music that was uplifting and inspiring felt ebullient. Music was a huge source for my life during that time, and led me to create with many producers who were passionate and driven to take things to another magnitude. There wasn’t a category I didn’t include in my songs.
Eventually, I found myself exploring poetry in a much deeper and more vulnerable way. Erotic poetry. The nuance of this versification challenged me to discuss topics that were often considered taboo and pushed me to be more honest and fearless in my work. I gained lots of peers in that field. Because of its success – I wrote a film (est. 2022) based on my poetry. ‘Erotictry’ is still set to be released soon.
Like many creatives, I eventually experienced a period where life pulled me away from writing. The creative block was difficult, and for a while I wasn’t sure if I would find my way back. Then, post COVID-19 pandemic, there was a period of reflection and stillness during that span of loss. I remember December 21st 2020 so clearly. It was magical. I returned to the thing that had always been waiting for me: storytelling. Only this time, I quickly realized I had discovered another way to bring my words to life.
I wrote my first short film, and everything changed. What began as a return to writing grew into CeCeLyric Productions, an award-winning independent production company dedicated to telling meaningful stories and creating opportunities for underrepresented voices.
Today, with more than 55 awards across multiple projects, I continue to write, direct, produce, and tell stories that reflect the humanity, complexity, and beauty of our communities.
When I look at my journey, I realize it has always been the same story. Whether I was a little girl in Harlem writing short stories, a teenager writing songs and plays, or a filmmaker creating stories for the screen, I’ve always been chasing the same thing: the opportunity to turn imagination into something people can feel.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Whew! Not at all. The road has been anything but smooth.
One of the earliest challenges I experienced was realizing that talent and passion don’t always guarantee opportunity. As a teenager, I was selected for an internship at Long Island University through a referral from my pastor’s daughter. The experience was incredible. We worked as junior reporters for CBS, and for the first time, I could truly see a future for myself in entertainment journalism. I loved interviewing, sourcing information, and being immersed in that environment. Unfortunately, a lack of support and resources prevented me from fully pursuing that path.
This became a recurring theme throughout different stages of my creative journey.
There were many dreams, passions, and career interests that I quietly set aside because other priorities had taken precedence within my household. Over time, I learned how easy it is for talented people to put their own aspirations on hold when they’re focused on surviving, supporting others, or simply doing what they have to do.
When I transitioned into songwriting, I faced a different set of obstacles. I submitted lyrics that I believed in, but without access to professional recording equipment and resources, it was difficult to create demos that could compete at the level I needed them to. My poetry was gaining momentum, but time constraints made it difficult to remain consistent. I also struggled to find the right publishing path for a novel I had written.
Eventually, after experiencing so many roadblocks, I became distracted, discouraged, and disconnected from my creativity. There was a period in my life when I genuinely questioned whether any of these dreams would ever come to fruition.
Ironically, those setbacks became some of my greatest lessons. They taught me perseverance, adaptability, and how to create with whatever resources I had available. When I eventually returned to storytelling through filmmaking, I did so with a completely different mindset. I no longer waited for permission, perfect circumstances, or access to expensive equipment. I simply started creating.
Today, many of the accomplishments I’m most proud of were built from that decision. The struggles were real, but they also shaped the resilience that allows me to continue telling stories through CeCeLyric Productions.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a writer, producer, and director, as well as the founder and CEO of CeCeLyric Productions. Every project produced through our company begins with a story I’ve written myself. Creating stories has always been at the center of everything I do, whether it’s film, poetry, music, or one of my most unique creations – a doll soap opera told through comic form. That project remains my personal favorites because it allows me to blend imagination, visual chronicling, and serialized drama in a way that feels completely original.
I specialize in character-driven stories that explore the human experience across multiple genres. Whether it’s romance, drama, suspense, grief, family dynamics, or personal transformation, I’m interested in telling stories that make people feel seen and understood.
What sets me apart is my commitment to telling Black stories in their fullness. I never want to present one-dimensional versions of Black life. I want audiences to see our joy, our love, our intelligence, our creativity, our resilience, and our humanity. When I think about storytelling, I’m often reminded of the Harlem Renaissance, Sunday dinners with family, and the block parties I grew up around in Harlem. I think about a people rich in culture, wisdom, rhythm, beauty, and community. Even through adversity, we continue to create, innovate, celebrate, and find ways to make life meaningful. Those are the stories I want to tell.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the recognition CeCeLyric Productions has received over the years. Having our films selected by festivals and honored with multiple awards is something I never take for granted. Every selection, nomination, and award is a reminder that stories created with heart can resonate far beyond their point of origin.
I’m also incredibly grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to share my journey through publications.
Voyage was the first publication to spotlight my story, which makes this feature especially meaningful. To now be returning for a second feature – and my seventh magazine appearance overall is both humbling and affirming. It reminds me that the work, the perseverance, and the commitment to storytelling continue to make an impact.
What makes you happy?
I believe happiness is fleeting, but joy is something much deeper. Because of that, I try not to chase happiness as much as I appreciate the many moments of joy that life offers. I find joy whenever I’m operating in my element.
There is a sense of peace that comes from creating. When I’m writing, producing, directing, or bringing a story to life, I feel aligned with my purpose. It’s one of the few places where everything feels exactly as it should.
Dancing also brings me an incredible sense of freedom and exhilaration. It’s impossible for me not to feel alive when music is involved. On the opposite end of the spectrum, creating content with my dolls brings a different kind of joy. One that’s calm, comforting, and deeply relaxing. It allows me to tap into my imagination and simply enjoy the creative process.
Above all else, my family is where I experience the greatest sense of fulfillment. They have witnessed every step of my journey – the victories, setbacks, sacrifices, the moments of doubt, and the accomplishments that once felt impossible. There is something incredibly rewarding about being surrounded by the people who know the full story and continue to support me through it all. Especially considering everything I’ve navigated. The losses, raising four children, being a wife, building a production company from the ground up, creative setbacks, financial hurdles, grief, and still finding reasons to create. I have experienced enough life to stop chasing constant happiness and start appreciating moments of joy, peace, gratitude, and fulfillment.
I’m reflective. realistic. grateful.
I’m not measuring my life by whether I’m happy every second. I recognize the value of meaningful moments. Life has given me many reasons to be grateful. When I pause long enough to recognize them, I realize that joy is all around me – in my creativity, in my family, and in the opportunity to continue building the life I’ve dreamed of.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cecelyricproductions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cecelyricproductions?igsh=YWE0YnZqenRkd3Br
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18mpddGVE4/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@cecelyricproductions?si=d4SYulnQQqzWwXkz
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/mercerville21?igsh=cGl2am1jOGxnZTdp
