We recently had the chance to connect with Cherelle Yarbrough and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Cherelle, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
At this moment, I’m leaning into transparency about the creative path—the long nights, the edits, the doubts, showing vulnerability, not perfection. Sharing behind-the-scenes while building a braver literacy community, cultivating spaces for more read-alouds, author visits, online circles—where children feel seen, supported, and encouraged to take small, meaningful risks. The fear was real thinking what if our voices aren’t wanted? What if we fail? What if our stories aren’t “enough”? This call feels both scary and right but if you don’t make any moves then you will never see progress.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Cherelle Yarbrough and I’m a mom of three beautiful daughters Arielle, Brielle, and Lilielle, and together with my brother Amari Yarbrough, I’m the co-creator of “The ElleRays” book series, inspired by my daughters—a bold science fiction superhero saga that follows the magical journey of three young sisters on a mission to save Generation Alpha from looming evil. Also along with my brother, I’m the co-founder of “Rays Up, Read Up”, a literacy initiative that hosts dramatic reading competitions for elementary students. Our mission is simple: empower our youth to know the power they hold within through reading epic superhero adventure stories, and sparking a lifelong love of reading by celebrating expressive storytelling, community, and every child’s unique voice.
What makes our brand and movement unique is family-powered, forward-thinking storytelling. The Ellerays series weaves real family dynamics with high-stakes sci-fi adventure, delivering themes of courage, curiosity, sisterhood, and teamwork in each mission. It’s like science fiction with heart! We infuse futuristic worlds with magical elements, and some thought provoking stanzas that illuminate bravery, empathy, and the power of self-discovery. Rays Up, Read Up, the dramatic reading competition is designed to make a real impact. It turns reading into a performance, helping students build confidence, fluency, and a love for books through expressive expression. With the ElleRays book series along with the Rays Up, Read Up movement, we want to blend storytelling magic with literacy best practices, focusing on immersive imagination, persistence, voice, and the joy of shared reading moments. The mission is to reach schools, school boards, literacy communities, libraries, and community centers—to ensure every child has a chance to shine.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
The earliest memory of feeling powerful, aside from birthing three children to bring forth life into this world— grew from a tentative, unfolding self-knowledge that changed how I saw myself in the world. I was navigating a tender and potentially debilitating time after my third child turned one. I felt a pull between certainty and confusion, the days blurred and I often felt a little lost. The turning point came when I began asking myself real questions: Who am I beyond “mom,” what is my purpose, why am I here, and what life do I want me and my children to live?
This memory feels powerful because it reframed power as inward clarity rather than outward success. True strength, wisdom, and beauty I learned, isn’t about never faltering; it’s about naming what’s true in me and choosing to keep showing up. Seeking truth in its purest form sharpened my sense of identity. I am someone who seeks truth, purpose, and growth, and I’m a storyteller who uses courage as a compass.
This gave me a lifelong practice: to keep asking questions about myself, to listen to the quiet wisdom that emerges when fear settles, and to let my experiences deepen my understanding for others, especially my children. It’s a continued self-inquiry: I pause, reflect, and ask, “What am I learning about myself right now? How does this align with who I want to be for my children and readers?” I show up with imperfect courage—sharing my doubts, modeling resilience, and inviting conversation rather than perfection.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
One kind thing to my younger self:
Dear me,
You are perfect just the way you are!
I know the pull you felt, especially back in the 90s and 2000s, when cable TV and music videos filled your screen with glossy images and narrow ideas of beauty. It was easy to believe those standards were the map to worth, easy to let them whisper that you were not enough unless you looked a certain way, spoke a certain way, or fit a predetermined mold.
But here’s the truth- your true worth isn’t measured by someone else’s collage of perfection. Your voice, your kindness, your curiosity, and the way you care for others are enough—they are you, entirely. If you don’t have a clear sense of identity yet, I know it can feel like that uncertainty imprints deep, sometimes unshiftable wounds. I know how that imprint can echo through years, shaping how you view yourself. But you don’t have to carry it alone, and you don’t have to wait for a dramatic moment to awaken to truth. Start with small, honest steps: name what feels most like you, test your own preferences against what you’re told, and trust the feelings that surface when you listen inwardly.
You learn to define beauty by your own light, not by someone else’s filter. You are allowed to change your mind, to pause, to question, to grow. Your tenderness is not weakness; it is the doorway to resilience, connection, and courage. So, to my younger self: be kind to your evolving self. Welcome your questions. Trust the quiet, stubborn spark inside you that says you are more than the surface you present to the world. The world will one day meet that truth with permission to bloom, and I promise you, the journey of waking up to your real self is worth every moment of doubt you survived to get here.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
There are so many but I’ll point out a few and provide truths that counter them.
Lie 1: Representation doesn’t matter.
Truth: Representation shapes self-worth, imagination, and possibility for every reader. If kids don’t see themselves reflected, they’re more likely to doubt that they belong in certain stories, fields, or futures—especially in STEM and leadership roles.
Lie 2: Sci-fi and superheroes for Black girls aren’t universally marketable.
Truth: Young readers crave bold, hopeful futures where Black girls are the heroes. I believe when you lead with authentic wonder, courage, and heart, you build a universal appeal that resonates across cultures and ages.
Lie 3: Political or social themes distract from “fun” in children’s books.
Truth: Courageous, real stories about identity, resilience, and justice teach kids critical thinking and empathy. Playful, thrilling sci-fi can carry meaningful messages without becoming didactic.
Lie 4: There’s only one formula for success in children’s lit.
Truth: Innovation thrives at the intersection of imagination and realism. Mixing science fiction, magical realism, Afro-futurism, and grounded family dynamics—as in the Ellerays series provides fresh pathways for readers to see themselves and their futures.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I’m most at peace when vacationing from corporate work. It isn’t just a break from deadlines; it’s a mental reset for me. A time when the to-do list loosens its grip, and I can breathe without distractions pulling me in a hundred directions. In those moments, I feel space to listen—to my own voice, my children’s laughter and thoughts. So definitely time with my girls and family is the true sanctuary of my peace.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theellerays.com; www.raysupreadup.com
- Instagram: theellerays
Image Credits
Amira On The Wall Photography
