SwagHer Spotlight: Cherrie McRae

Cherrie McRae, better known as “Cher,” was raised in Miami, Fl., Carol City, to be exact. Post-undergrad, she joined the workforce in her field of study of Human Resources thinking that perhaps, that was the next best thing, only to realize a quick sensation of unfulfillment. There just had to be more to life than her bland work/home cycle.  Fast forward to 2006, where her residency changed from Florida to Georgia with her then, 5 year old son, CJ in tow.

Life as she knew it took on a whole new form. Her summer relocation, undoubtedly, was one of the best decisions Cherrie admits to making. Since then, she has rekindled her passion for the Arts. Ms. McRae wears several hats in the creative arena; Actor, print model, published author, published songwriter, filmmaker, producer, creative director, empowerment speaker, and entrepreneur. 

Philanthropy & Mentorship is also a top-tier venture. Her organization, “NCourage and NSpire Community Outreach,” an eight-year-old non-profit entity that aids in enhancing local residents and surrounding neighborhoods through activism and community efforts of charity and giving and continual collaboration with like-missioned organizations

Cherrie attributes her continued success to her unfaltering faith walk, push and praise from family and friends, and her tireless tenacity. Cherrie’s journey is steadily gaining traction with upcoming projects such as her upcoming Inspirational Single release, ‘Never Forget,’ which is re-scheduled to release early 2021. The most recent premiere of her Short Film Drama entitled, Bleu Skies which she both wrote and directed, although officially premiered June 2020, has upcoming screenings throughout various film festival circuits. Her recent signing with a highly reputable Print Modeling Agency. Volume 2 of a 3-Part Audiobook series entitled Success Memoirs. Lastly, the upcoming release of her socially conscious cinema project, UNMUTE partnered with a Spoken word Soundtrack, which both set for Live release August 28th on all social platforms.

Her 19-year-old son CJ is, simultaneously, her biggest motivator and motivation!

 

Christina: What is your SwagHer? What makes Cherrie, Cherrie?

Cherrie: Let’s start with the spelling of my name alone, lol. How many Cherrie’s (sounds like Sherry) do you know with that spelling? All jokes aside, that initial sentence alone is a starter demonstration of my personality. No, but really, a few attributes that come to mind to describe my SwagHer are: 

1. I don’t attach ‘getting permission’ to my achievements.
2.  I rarely entertain unsolicited opinions.
3.  If I want to go after something or attain a thing…I start now and think later 
4.  It’s likely you may hear me before you see me enter a room. 
5.  My energy is eclectic. 
6. A bomb karaoke night makes every single thing better.

Christina: Tell our readers about your non-profit, “NCourage and NSpire Community Outreach.”

Cherrie: NCourage and NSpire Community Outreach is a non-profit venture I begin a few years earlier with a community-driven goal in mind; to be a true resource to individuals in need regardless of how they got there. I have always had a ‘pay-it-forward’ mentality because I know first-hand how lack feels like. My stance and position as N &NCO’s founder and visionary allows me to show extreme care concern and advocacy for individuals through tangible means.

Christina: How impactful was your move from Florida to Georgia? 

Cherrie: I knew my transition from Miami to Atlanta Summer 2006 would be life-altering for both myself and my son, Cj. An event that would, if nothing else, force me to rise to the occasion called my life. Fast forward fourteen years later, and I would honestly do it all over again! The change in environment, pacing, culture, personal growth, and development were the enhancements I needed to catapult me parentally, professionally, economically, and artistically.

Christina: You do so many things. You act, model, produce, and much more. How do you manage it all?

Cherrie: I wish I can take all of the credit for the balancing act, however, I’ve implemented a small team of like-minded professionals who help keep my brand intact. 

Christina: What motivates you?

Cherrie: Personal challenges. Presenting myself with personal challenges motivates me to go above and beyond my personal expectations. When I set a goal, milestone, or make what I like to call the ‘Cherrie Promise,’ an insider pledge I’ve taken with myself and for myself to always move steadily, humbly and persistently until I hit my mark. The root of my motivation is constant mobilization. Be it an inch or a mile…just move!

Christina: How important is philanthropy & mentorship to you?

Cherrie: Philanthropy and mentorship are of utmost importance to me. I have several mentees as well as mentors. My mentees keep me on my toes while my mentors keep me grounded. True leaders, I believe, should have both sets of individuals in their repertoire. Some seasons you’re the Indian; some seasons you’re the Chief.

Philanthropy efforts are both essential and necessary agents. My personal commitment is always to do what I can as often as I can to advocate for my community’s needs and endorse other like-minds to do the same—a reiteration from my earlier statements regarding my non-profit.

Christina: Define faith in your own words. How important is faith to you? 

Cherrie: My personal and practical definition of faith is “Not knowing the ‘how’ all while believing in the ‘Who.’

Listen, being on one side of the question mark in any given situation, is very trying at any given time, to say the least. Faith is one of my most valuable spiritual assets! It was only during my personal encounters with life’s most trivial moments is where I was confronted with two things; a rock bottom and a need to dig deep and trust the process. In short, life as a creative, entrepreneur, parent, leader, sustainer, you’re repeatedly dealt a difficult hand. But if your mind can somehow resuscitate positive, optimistic, faith-centered thoughts, you condition it to overcome repeatedly.

Christina: Can you tell our readers about your upcoming short film, Bleu Skies?

Cherrie: Bleu Skies is a short film drama written and created by myself. The story follows a close-knit family of women—three sisters, Liza, Lynise, Lissette, and their mother, Lucinda. The family experiences an unexpected tragedy and is forced to cling tighter to one another and truly rely on the strength of their bond. Bleu Skies officially released late June and is now circulating film festival circuits. 

Christina: If you didn’t have a career in the creative field, what would you be doing? 

Cherrie: News Anchor.

Christina: Do you have any events or projects coming up that you would like to share?

Cherrie: I have been diligently working on another Docu-cinematic, socially conscious project entitled, UNMUTE scheduled to release Aug. 28 via Live Stream on all social platforms, YouTube, and www.cherriemcrae.com. UNMUTE also has a soundtrack attached & that release date is Sep. 1 on platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, Google Play, Amazon plus more. Intense Drama, CROSSOVER, an upcoming project I had the pleasure of playing a sizzling lead character releases mid-fall. Details forthcoming. I’ve written and co-produced an upcoming inspirational single entitled ‘Never Forget’ featuring Rob Dixon II, Tedra Chriss, and Maty Esombe has a re-scheduled release date of Jan 2021. This project will be available on all digital platforms as well. 

Christina: Is there anything else you would like to say? 

Cherrie: In a time of heightened uncertainty, I challenge all readers, subscribers, viewers; whoever may have access to this interview to know and understand as indefinite as the current world crisis seems, I urge you to PLEASE remain focused. Create moments of centering, motivational self-talk and practices, increase time outdoors, love others, and truly maintain a grateful state of mind. Today neither tomorrow are not promised. Guard your thoughts, energy, and build healthier eating lifestyles. In other words, please assume a posture of becoming a better version of yourself. In that, you will rarely deviate from the right path.

 

Connect with Cherrie:

Instagram: @cherriemcrae_ig

Website: www.cherriemcrae.com

Facebook: Cherrie McRae

Twitter: @CherRae