you may not know her name, but trust me you have 
seen her everywhere; billboards, magazines, commercials 
(you name it and she is the lead). With so many advertising 
campaigns, magazine spreads and just plain 'ol great work 
under her belt, the Texas native has managed to make a 
very comfortable life out of modeling and acting. 
  
Sheryl to me is a quiet superstar STRIVER: She does her 
work, Get's Paid Big for doing what she loves and has 
managed to be very successful in what many consider 
a vicious profession "that turns young folks out". 

STRIVE had the opportunity to sit with Sheryl and discuss 
her career and what sets her apart; helping her rise to the top.


STRIVE: What do you do and why? and how have you done 
it so well that you are a STRIVER?
Sheryl: I am a professional model and actress. I feel that 
the standard of beauty in America is so distorted. As a 
brown-skinned African American woman I am able to show 
that beauty is more diverse than the typical Blonde. I really 
want little girls to see images that are reflective of the full 
spectrum of our culture and inspire them to feel good about 
themselves.I am a striver because I came into a business 
that pays Black Models less, takes fewer Black models per 
agency, and don't use Black models as frequently in 
mainstream advertising. I have been striving to elevate my 
career as a model, teach new aspiring models the business 
of modeling, and maintain a sense of normalcy and self 
esteem that this business so often tries to strip 
away. 

STRIVE: How did you get your start?
Sheryl: I started modeling after becoming a finalist in 
Essence Magazines Cover Model Search contest. 
I didn't win but it peaked my interest and after 
college I called a local agency in Dallas (my hometown) 
and they signed me. 

STRIVE: Where can we see your work?
Sheryl: Not many people know me but I was the face of Mizani Hair Systems for 
seven years,I have graced the covers of close to twenty magazines and book 
covers such as EBONY, Heart & Soul, BE-Black Elegance, Essence Total 
Makeover and more. I am one of a few African American models to land both a 
coveted makeup campaign(Black Opal Cosmetics) as well as several prestigous 
Hair advertisement campaigns for L'Oreal and Clairol. I started doing 
commercials a few years ago and I've already done close to thirty including 
Dove, Southwest Airlines, Coke, and Nike. I have worked with Directors Spike 
Lee, Alan Hughes and photographers like Albert Watson, Walter Chin, Joyce 
Tenneson, and Arthur Elgort.I have had a pretty great run. I am blessed. 
Right now I have this big nationwide campaign for Guiness Extra Stout. 
The billboards are all over the place.If your ever on 125th and St. Nicholas 
in Harlem check one of them out . And I have the cosmetics campaign for 
Black Opal Cosmetics, a national print ad for Vaseline, a national ad for 
State Farm, a national Ad Campaign for womens health that is print and 
television, acouple of other commercials, a short film project, and several 
other national advertisements. I really want to get into television hosting 
so I am taking classes at The Upright Citizens Brigade to perfect my improv 
technique. 


STRIVE: What advice would you give others attempting to make their dreams come true?
Sheryl: My advice for people aspiring to become models are to study magazines and 
commercials to really see the movements and styles of current models This 
will help you to learn the trends in fashion,makeup,models of-the-moment, 
and you can familiarize yourself with the photographers that are working. 
You should get a legit agent that doesn't charge a fee. Also learn to save 
from the beginning of your career, seek alternate streams of income to 
maximize your earning potential, and always remember that you are your own 
business. Lastly, don't take no for an answer and be nice to everybody. 
Today's assistants are tomorrow's agents. 

STRIVE: What's next for you?
Sheryl:I hope to transition into television hosting,do more televison and films, 
and start a non-profit organization for young women ages 7-16 to help 
empower them and give them a forum to voice their thoughts on everything 
from peer pressure,bullying,body image,sexual health and wellness, and drug 
and alcohol abuse as well as create exposure to art, music,cultural 
activities, financial planning,career paths, and goal setting. 

STRIVE: As young professionals, entrepenuers and artists, what should we (Strivers) 
consider, ponder (while making our dreams comes true?
Sheryl: We should strive to achieve even more than we can conceive 
but do it without comprimising our dignity, morals, and soul. Like Dave 
Chapelle said "Name your price when you get in so when it gets to high you 
will know when to stand your ground or walk away." 

Support Sheryl as she continues to rise to the top. 
 
For bookings or even simple modeling questions contact: sheryl@strivemagazine.com 



article by: nook@strivemagazine.com 



What do you get when you cross a brother and years of hard work at his craft? You get Finesse Mitchell (co-star of NBC’s Saturday Night Live).  

Strive took the opportunity to discuss Finesse’s recent success. As we listened, we could not help but be inspired by such a comedic genius. Read more for this week's inspiration.

STRIVE: Where are you from? Tell me a little about yourself? 
FINESSE: From Atlanta. My Dad was a contract Administrator for Lockheed Martin. Mom’s was a teacher. They divorced and pops would come over every week and tell a story about life. I have an older brother and a younger stepsister. Never married, no kids. 

STRIVE: What are your 3 lessons for success? Or what is your recipe for success?
FINESSE: Perseverance. Anything worth doing needs 5 years plus of hard work. I cannot expect to see progress until 5 years of effort has been introduced. Many of us are stuck because we aren’t patient. We should own more businesses. But we cannot handle losing money in the first year. 
 

STRIVE: How do you enjoy your days off when you’re not "striving"?
FINESSE: I write a lot and watch a lot of dramas. No comedy. It’s a good balance. I need the seriousness. I also travel to Miami and LA. 

STRIVE: What signifies a Striver to you?
FINESSE: Someone who gets up every day and stays focused and doesn’t stop until they hit the mark. Gotta have a list of goals and know what you are going after. Take baby steps. 

STRIVE: Who influenced you the most in your career/life when you were starting out?
FINESSE: My friends: University of Miami frat., Kappa bros would encourage me to keep pushing. I also had some very supportive girlfriends.
Thru comedy my influence came by way of Flip Wilson, Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy. What I see in these icons is a mixture of hard work and brilliance.

STRIVE: What jobs did you hold before you became successful?
FINESSE: I held jobs as a Financial Analyst, Mutual funds and Insurance Salesman. 

STRIVE: What is success to you?
FINESSE: Success is waking up everyday and feeling fulfilled. I may not necessarily be happy, but I am moving in the right direction. And it’s not all about being rich or poor, it’s about working toward a goal for me. 

STRIVE: Now that you have hit this stage in your career. What’s on your mind?
FINESSE: I am glad it didn’t come earlier. My pops always said,
“Life doesn’t start until you are 40.” Well right now I am building momentum.

STRIVE: What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning and what is the last thing you think of at night.
FINESSE: The first thing on my mind, when I wake up: Am I late for something? It’s funny because oftentimes you wakeup and you have nowhere to be. 
Last thing: Should I go to bed? Is the night over? Did I do everything I wanted to do? 

STRIVE: What do you know for Sure about life?
FINESSE: You are going to die. Stop wasting time.

STRIVE: How did you get started?
FINESSE: I simply jumped on stage one night at an improvisational comedy club. Prior to that, I entered a Joke Contest at Uptown Comedy Club in Atlanta and won. Finally, I started stage-grinding; jumping from city to city. I first performed in Miami, from there moved to Atlanta then went to LA to perform. Worked hard for the audition, now I am in NY for Saturday Night Live.

STRIVE: Is there any other info you would like to tell about yourself? (Single and Searching, How you stay healthy, Shout-Outs)
FINESSE:Regarding Health: I am now a vegetarian mainly because of my girl, however. That keeps me balanced.
Shot-Outs to: My Lil Mama.

STRIVE: What’s Next for you?
FINESSE: I plan to own a comedy club, also do some writing and directing. And at some point down the line, gotta’ get married and have kids.
Check out Finesse online at: www.finessemitchell.com
Also: checkout Finesse's myspace page, by clicking here