Today we’d like to introduce you to Sierra Mercer.
Hi Sierra, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m Sierra. Known to most as CeCe, and I was born & raised in Harlem, NYC. I recall falling in love with writing as early as three years old. My grandmother, who reared me, had an old typewriter that I couldn’t keep my hands off of, and the delight I’d get from composition notebooks was extremely amusing. As I got older, my neighborhood’s visuals told a never-ending story. And I wanted to emulate what I felt through words. You cannot be from NYC (I’m biased here, but Harlem, specifically) and not feel thoroughly motivated and influenced to find your purpose, even if it doesn’t come naturally. The inspiration I accumulated back home compelled me to the stoop of The great Langston Hughes in between store runs for Grandma. Harlem’s literary inspo took me on a goose chase hunting every prominent area of The Harlem Renaissance and taking in the vibes of the jazz greats, famous actors, community leaders like Malcolm, artists like Basquiat, and literary gems. James Baldwin, Maya Angelou, and many other electrifying talents. My love for writing had no end. I wrote Short tales, unpublished novels, poetry, songwriting & plays. I utilized my talents at my church, community, and school. I received enormous support before taking on an internship at LIU in Brooklyn, NY, for journalism. I appreciated the ascension of a new realm in writing – but that incisive style never stuck. Overall, my artistry is directly tied to HARLEM & suggestively related to topics and situations surrounding Melanated (Moor) Americans. Because telling stories for us is the very reason I fell in love with words, to begin with. Because of my devotion to writing books and plays, I knew it wouldn’t be long before I contemplated writing films. I’m considered an African American cinema connoisseur—series, sitcoms & films. I’ve modeled myself as Spike Ce for a while, as an ode to The Great Spike Lee; he’s the blueprint for me. Stepping out of my way and seeing these stories come to life – has provided joy.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has had its fair share of bumps, but as it is less traveled- it’s where most individuals are defined. Their strength comes from barriers and drawbacks. Before putting out my first short film, I wanted to have the proper equipment, tools, and knowledge of this industry. It wasn’t until after a traumatic experience in 2020 I decided not to wait for any door, big budget, or high-tech visual and go for it. I didn’t want the lack of resources or hurdles to interrupt my dream. So, I decided to put forth any project regardless of what was within reach. Dreams aren’t meant to be compressed due to a lack of benefits. However, I am willing to get where I need to be while growing, learning from my mistakes, and adjusting to new ways to capture quality footage. I’m fairly new in this field and have learned from many independent and major individuals.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a film writer, poet, songwriter, novelist, producer, and director. My specialty in the arts of writing has to be my erotic poetry. I’ve written erotica for 11 years and have learned much from that community. I am proud of my first short film, ‘CAUGHT UP IN SORROW,’ which landed me my first laurel, and the web series ‘CAUGHT UP IN SORROW’: The Series on YouTube. Lastly, I created a comics page surrounding Made-To-Move dolls in a thriving black community. What sets me apart is being unafraid & not seeking validation for what I deem worthy. Honestly, there’s a plethora of jumpers like me. I commend anyone for going after their dreams and scratching off goals even when it seems impossible.
We would love to hear about your fond memories from growing up.
When I was younger, I formed an “MSD” music group. The initials of our first names. I wrote our hit song. Haha! And the director of Harlem Children’s Zone allowed us to do a music video for it. I also won a scholarship and grant through the borough president for Best writing in my district. I was invited to a dinner to receive the award, which the mayor attended. However, sitting on the stoop of Langston Hughes brownstone, three blocks from our brownstone, is high in great memories.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.direct.me/CeCeLyric
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/cecelyricproductions?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@CeCeLyricProductions
- Other: https://instagram.com/mercerville21?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Image Credits:
CeCeLyric Productions
