Life & Work with Cherrie McRae of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cherrie McRae.

Hi Cherrie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My very first storytelling opportunity came unexpectant Fall 2000 when I was cast as a recurring character on an urban soap opera series. Because I attended college in Tallahassee, Florida (an HBCU to be exact 🙂 and would return home to Miami, Fl only during the summer sessions, staff writers made certain my character had valid reason to come and go throughout the series, lol. I recall so vividly that moment in my life being so fast paced and exhilaratingly abnormal! Admittedly, I had no technical training then as an actor, I was just a fearless go-getter that was willing to try just about anything once. Most would vouch that I just had an incredible knack for placing fictitious people in real life circumstances.

Soon after graduating College, I discontinued my involvement in the series and secured a corporate job that fit the mold that I believed my life’s path was on. This led to my decade long hiatus from the industry. It wasn’t until the Spring of 2011, shortly after a company I’d been working for downsized, that I decided to jump back into the acting saddle. I contracted a few Independent gigs here and there, did a little background work, while simultaneously, diving head-first into acting class(es). I made several conscious efforts to cultivate my craft. These efforts led to more opportunities, those opportunities made it very clear that Acting is 1) Indeed a Career 2) I was exactly where I was destined to be.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My life over the course of a couple decades has been the furthest thing from ‘smooth’ lol. I’ve encountered a myriad of setbacks and struggles. One that comes to mind was parenthood at an early age. This paired with all the other realities associated with adulting. Juggling needs and wants and everything else in-between. My son accelerated my growth spurt and maturity level(s). Deciphering real-time responsibilities against the things that needed to take a backseat.

Child-rearing shifts a lot of things into perspective. For me, it helped me both discover and strengthen my ‘WHY.’ I found brand new meaning in each and every day. Although not an overnight process, I began to implement intentionality in area’s like money management, sketching out quality time, furthering my education, creating safe environments, spiritual foundation, selflessness, emotional intelligence and leadership and fun…can’t forget about FUN! Because I was the breadwinner of my family dynamic, I had to get comfortable making sacrifices early on, where most my other associates and peers hadn’t quite reached that phase of their lives. I realize it’s not the cards you’re dealt in life that matters, it’s how you play your hand.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a full time film, commercial, television, lifestyle model as well as an empowerment author | speaker, and Public figure. I have a decade plus of experience in the entertainment industry. I am most proud of how far I have advanced in my career especially since no one in my family or friend circle chose this path in the earlier stages of my career. I literally had to “Figure it out as I go.” My journey has been quilted with high moments and low ones mixed all the extra stuff in between.

What sets me apart as an artist? In sum, my zeal and tenacity. I have grown into a person that seldom settled for average. I’ve grown some pretty tough skin over the years. I think I’ve talked myself out of quitting this business about gazillion times. The journey gets rough when the destination is no longer in sight. I had to learn that sprinting in what’s meant to be a marathon was counterproductive and tiring to say the very least. I had to run my own race, not take life too serious; to be a force in my community and in the vein of Sankofa, reach back and be a bridge for others. My organization(s): cherriemcrae.com, Written Write Pictures LLC and CRae4Consulting LLC have all challenged me to think outside of the box society tried to put me in. This industry is fueled with rejection, the key is giving YOURSELF a ‘Yes’ when everyone didn’t. That takes confidence, courage and mentally stamina to tackle an unchartered path. My theme for 2025 is, “Execution.” Reaching the goal post and scoring BIG every time. I run my business like a Billion dollar enterprise. Why? Because my outcomes, inevitably, will catch up to my work ethic. I’m a Grade A performer that works extremely hard to build a successful life, brand and legacy.

My encouragement to those who may be reading this? Know that big wins come with big failures. The key is to fail forward and not sky away from your mistakes, those mistakes are hurdles we learn to leap over to master the take-aways and the lessons. Evolution is oftentimes the key that unlocks Everything.

What were you like growing up?
I definitely grew up a tom boy, the only girl amongst a community of boys and active males. I’ve been an athlete since I was five years old (track and field). From there I participated in JV sports , High school Varsity (volleyball, basketball and softball) then on to Collegiate level. Sports groomed me for what I would come to know as a high paced, robust and competitive field. My mindset as a youngster, was whatever it costs to win the medal. I needed to hook the win. My drive was tunneled and hyper-focused. Sadly, I was a sore loser and oftentimes dwelled on a loss for weeks.

Aside from the sore loser mentality, I adopted a lot of those same principles as I maneuvered into adulthood. Cultivating a competitiveness fueled with high performance and even higher expectations. Unmistakably, I have endured weak-minded moments more times than I care to admit. I have had recurring thoughts of giving up, but I’ll admit the science of building upon my purpose is the constant reminder that giving up never fixed a single problem, instead exasperates them. Step back, collect yourself, remind yourself of WHO and WHO’s you are…then continue on!

My encouragement to my audience and viewers? The mind is a battlefield. Weakened thoughts and Mismanaged emotions tend to lead one down a depressing spiral. Be vigilant of your energy, seek out a purpose-driven community comprised of friend’s, colleagues, associates and mentors.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: cherriemcrae_ig
• Facebook: Cherrie McRae
• LinkedIn: Cherrie McRae
• Youtube: @justcallmecher

Image Credits
True Life Media LLC
SlingShots ATL LLC