Since her preteens, Cherrelle éLan has known her path in life would be through storytelling. Over the years, her storytelling would manifest into many forms, such as acting, directing, producing, and writing, while creating for herself or collaborating with others.
The Washington D.C. native was first immersed in art and culture while a student at Duke Ellington School of the Arts. She later graduated Magna Cum Laude from Howard University with a degree in Radio/TV/Film before earning her Master’s from Syracuse University, Newhouse School of Communications. A fun fluke at her high school graduation led to her earning a spot in and winning the Miss Teen D.C. pageant, which in turn led to her first national TV appearance on the Miss Teen USA Pageant on CBS.
Cherrelle began her career behind the camera, working in production for ABC‘s flagship news programs, and she went on to win a Peabody Award with ABC‘s news team during the 9/11 tragedy for her work in interviewing victims and heroes.
Her latest project, a sci-fi book series called Black In The Future, imagines a world where a Kamala Harris-esque black woman in fact wins the Presidency and sets forth in passing a reparations bill. A proud fellow member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Cherrelle has had the honor of meeting and working with former VP Kamala Harris on a handful of occasions, including assisting her directly during her participation at the Annual Asomugha Foundation Gala in 2011. After first creating Black In The Future as a short film in 2016 and turning it into a streaming series a couple of years later, éLan re-imagined it into its 2025 book format with Harris in mind.
N’DIGO recently sat down with the talented creator to learn more about her background, what drives her passion for storytelling, and her thoughts on why America seems to be so afraid to let a Black woman lead.
N’DIGO: In your own words, who is Cherrelle éLan?
Cherrelle éLan: At my core, I am a storyteller. A song tells a story, and through film, I tell stories that matter. My focus is on creating work that uplifts and empowers my community, especially as a Black woman whose image—and culture—has too often been stereotyped or diminished. I see my role as helping to reshape that narrative with dignity and truth. Faith guides me. The stories I tell come from my heart, and my heart is of God.
When did you discover your passion for entertainment and storytelling and realize it would be one of your life’s works?
I discovered my passion for entertainment and storytelling in the 8th grade. At Langley Junior High School in Washington, D.C., I had the chance to take classes at the Penn Center, a trade school where I learned the foundations of journalism, creative writing, radio, TV, and film. That’s when I realized this would be my life’s work. Storytelling gave me an outlet. Even as a shy introvert, I felt confident and comfortable expressing my creative side. Filmmaking became the space where I could grow, experiment, and truly discover myself.
How did you go on to get started in the world of entertainment and storytelling?
Everything started when I attended the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C.—a place that felt like the TV show Fame. It was there that I discovered my love for telling stories that empower my community. I started writing about trailblazers like Max Robinson and Randall Robinson, but I quickly fell in love with fiction and filmmaking. I got a chance to interview and capture the stories of icons like Dizzy Gillespie and Jesse Jackson, and covered events at the Kennedy Center, including productions like The Piano Lesson with Charles Dutton and the original cast and Sophisticated Ladies with Lonette McKee.
At my high school graduation, I jokingly did a pageant wave across the stage. Unbeknownst to me, a scout for the Miss Teen D.C. USA pageant was in the audience. The next day, I competed—and won. That moment became my introduction to national television and showed me I wasn’t afraid of performing for an audience. While at Howard University, I majored in Radio, TV, and Film and worked closely with Professor Al Freeman, best known for his role (as Elijah Muhammad) in Malcolm X.
Outside of school, I immersed myself in concerts, always observing performances with a storyteller’s eye. That curiosity also led me to acting. Though my focus was writing and filmmaking, I pushed myself in front of the camera, teaching myself stage presence. From journalism to fiction, from acting to filmmaking, I’ve learned that there is no such thing as overnight success. I started this journey at fourteen, and every step—training, setbacks, breakthroughs—has shaped who I am today.
Please tell us about your latest project, the short film turned book series, Black In The Future?
Black In The Future began in 2016 as a short film during a time of deep political and cultural tension. I’ve always been a fan of speculative fiction like The Twilight Zone and Black Mirror—but noticing the absence of Black perspectives, I created a world where Black lives don’t vanish in the future, they lead it.
At its heart is Jackie éLan, a Black woman journalist navigating a collapsing world. Too often invisible, Jackie becomes the leader no one expected but everyone needed. Through her lens, the series explores intimacy, injustice, power, technology, and survival.
In 2018, I completed the first ten episodes of the streaming series. Then recently came the book series that I want to resonate with all audiences, but especially young Black readers between 18 and 25, because they rarely encounter sci-fi that reflects them.
What do you think is at the core of the resistance of some to letting Black women lead?
In a word: miseducation. Since the beginning of the entertainment industry, Black images have been bombarded with stereotypes. These images shaped how non-Black audiences saw us, because for many, that was their only “exposure” to Black life. They believed the stereotypes they were shown.
The resistance isn’t about our capability—it’s about their exposure. I grew up in Washington, D.C., surrounded by Black leadership. My principals, my teachers, and my role models were Black men and women. I saw attorneys, judges, and professionals in positions of power, so I never doubted we could lead. But many who didn’t grow up in Black communities never saw that. To them, Black leadership is unfamiliar, and unfamiliar feels disruptive. We saw that clearly when Kamala Harris ran for president.
For generations, media and film have programmed the image of a U.S. president as an older white man with gray hair. Anyone else—especially a Black woman—feels like a disruption to that conditioning. That limited imagination costs us progress. In my work and my storytelling, I’ve always understood this. That’s why I’ve made the effort to build and protect my self-image, so when I step outside my community, I represent something real: that we are not stereotypes, not the butt of jokes, not just the support system. We are leaders, co-workers, innovators, equals. And honestly? I believe that just by showing up as myself, I’ve changed some minds.
Who are some of your personal Black women heroes?
Jayne Kennedy was the first Black woman broadcaster, actress, and brand ambassador. A few of my other multi-hyphenate women heroes are Debbie Allen (director, choreographer, actress), Shonda Rhimes (television producer, screenwriter). Gina Prince-Bythewood (filmmaker and director) and Millicent Shelton (director and writer).
What are you currently reading?
Right now, I’m reading Plain Jayne by Jayne Kennedy, and her story has made a huge impact on me. She was the first Black woman broadcaster, and when I first discovered my passion for storytelling and communications, her poster was front and center in my mind. As a kid, I remember seeing her as an actress on shows like Diff’rent Strokes and The Love Boat, but it was her role as a broadcaster that truly inspired me. She made me believe I could have a career in storytelling.
Now, reading her life story, I’m even more impressed. I didn’t know much about her beyond her photos and her presence on screen, but imagining what it must have been like for someone as beautiful and intelligent as she is to not be taken seriously—and still succeed anyway—speaks volumes to me. What I admire most is that she shares her strategies and risks openly. Jayne Kennedy’s way of standing up for herself is something both I and the next generation can look to and say, I can try that. I’m grateful Jayne Kennedy wrote this book. It reaffirms that the odds are never truly against us—that every day is preparation for opportunity, and when that opportunity comes, the key is to be ready.
What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?
I once took a broken VHS Tape and VCR apart, fixed them, and had them working again.
Best advice as a storyteller you’ve ever been given?
Be curious.
What’s the best advice you can give to aspiring storytellers?
Learn different formats of storytelling. From song to journalism to fiction, from screen to stage. This increases your brand and IP and creates an opportunity for a franchise.
Favorite quote or affirmation?
Never settle for what someone else says about what you can or cannot do.
What’s next for Cherrelle éLan?
Just continuing to create and expand the brand to tell more stories.
For more information on Cherrelle éLan, please visit www.cherrelleelan.com and connect with her social media via Facebook and Instagram.
