Today we’d like to introduce you to Sierra Brown.
Sierra, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
After graduating with my bachelor’s degree in journalism from Florida A&M University, Tallahassee’s historical black college, I moved to Louisville and interned at The Courier-Journal as a producer. My deep interest in music pushed me to New York City where I roamed, zipping between Crown Heights and Midtown Manhatten. I interned at VIBE during the day and folded J. Crew sweaters at night and on weekends. On the rare occasion of a spare moment, I watched the “Barbershop” episode of Atlanta, and I cried. The desire to write started to expand into more than 500-word articles. I wanted to describe moments in my life and the lives around me in such a way that someone could close their eyes and be transported into that moment with me, feeling everything as I felt them.
It was my cousin Akiem that planted the seed, told me if I ever wanted to move to LA, I have somewhere to stay to get on my feet. It took me a year to seriously take up his offer, working the nerve to make the leap. I touched LA soil in June 2018. Once I did the road blossomed right before my eyes
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I had $200 and no opportunity lined up. I picked up a job at a yogurt shop in Venice Beach and loved every minute of it. I happily took the 2-hour one-way bus ride from Van Nuys, observing, reading or writing. At the end of the summer, I accepted a temporary assignment at TNT/TBS through Executive Temps. My assignment ended abruptly and I delivered groceries for Instacart to keep money coming in a while looking for a full-time job. During this time, I took a few writing classes at The Writing Pad.
What else should our readers know?
I work in production but I’m most proud of my collection of short stories and personal essays documenting my time.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I wrote short stories, poetry, plays, and joined online forums chatting with kids across the country. I had a small circle of friends but we were tight-knit. I was on the dance team and theater.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.sierraraequel.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/sierraraequel
Image Credit:
Pablo De La Hoya
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