We were lucky to catch up with Cecily Allen recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Cecily, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I grew up in Atlanta, with the dream of working in the film industry in front of and behind the scenes. As a child of two immigrant parents, not going into the medical field or law school was discouraged. Once I went to college and pursued majors my parents approved of, I became lost. Eventually after dropping out more than once, I became plagued with anxiety and depression. My life became stagnant, and to make matters worse I became a disappointment to my family, and myself. I hopped from careers as an ESL teacher, then as a barista at a bubble tea shop, eventually ending up at Starbucks where my mental health took a dive for the worst. After most of my family went out of state and abroad for work, I found myself truly alone. That was until one day I decided to get an official diagnosis for an anxiety disorder I knew I had, but then I was also diagnosed with a depressive disorder. After my diagnosis, I new something needed to change. Life had been hollow as if I’d been lost in a desolate desert, and I needed to find a way out. Finding myself at rock bottom like so many times before, I decided to look inside myself, and ask what I truly wanted. The life and career I wanted, but had given up on. My love for Film and TV had never died, but I had been suppressing my desires because of the fear of failure. My mindset began to change when I realized I had never failed, because I never even tried. I never took the leap in the first place. That was when I decided to pack my bags and head to New York to pursue a career in Film and TV. I was the biggest risk I’d ever taken, and I’d never felt more free. A few months later, I was picked up as an production assistant, and with ups and downs I worked my way up as a freelancer, becoming a production coordinator, and currently an associate producer. My path is a difficult one, but in my heart I know it’s the right one. With my successes and failures, I continue on with no regrets, I keep moving forward, refusing to let fear get in the way of my dreams.

Cecily, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I grew up in the acting world for most of my childhood. I had the dream of becoming an actress ever since I watched the show “Barney and Friends,” and gained the desire to join the cast. I participated in plays, some commercials, and corporate videos. Once I reached my Junior year of High School, some things began to change. I took a writing class to check off an elective course for college admissions, but found a love for writing and storytelling as well. After creating my own short stories and ideas, I realized the lack of acting roles for African American women, but also in the way that we were always portrayed. I could never relate to the characters who more than not were always portrayed stereotypically. After this realization, I decided in order for change to happen, I had to work behind the scenes so that I could change, and creative diverse characters and stories that rejected all the stereotypes I’ve watched growing up, from black characters. I began taking Production Assistant jobs in my home town of Atlanta. Once I moved to New York, I began getting promoted to higher positions because of my work ethic, and professionalism. I enjoy networking, and getting to know others, it’s always fun making new friends who are also working their way in the industry.
My career truly picked up when I was hired by the most awesome producer I’ve ever met. He took the time to train me up as a production coordinator for a PBS Show “Legacy List with Matt Paxton,” it was the biggest gig I’ve ever had the pleasure of joining, and I learned a lot from everyone I worked with. For once I felt seen, and heard for my skill, and passion for the work I do.
Another pursuit I’m trying to do of course is in the writing department. Being a full time Producer and Writer has always been my main goal, since creativity and storytelling are my true passion and forte.
What I consider to be my greatest achievement is a screenplay I wrote called, “Black Wall Street.” It’s my version of the romance and tragedy of Titanic mixed with the historical events of 1921’s Tulsa, Oklahoma’s race riot and massacre in a wealthy black neighborhood. I’m so proud of this story, and hope to one day see it on the big screen.
A second work I am most proud of is my recently written first book that I plan to expand into a series. I have always noticed a lack of Epic African Fantasy in the Fantasy genre, and had the desire to create my own story a few years back. I poured my heart and soul into it, and I’m proud of the result! I hope to get it published one day so I can share it with the world!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is seeing the reaction of others who’ve seen or read my work. The journey to the end result is always the hardest part. There were times I felt like giving up, and doubted my skills and capabilities. There has always also been the fear of others stealing or tearing down my work, but the key I found is to keep moving forward. When I reach a wall, I kick it down, or find another way to get through. For friends, family, and acquaintances who’m I’ve shared my work with, to hear their feedback, praise and critique mean everything to me. It makes what I’ve done feel real, and makes me appreciate the journey it took to get to the end result. I don’t know, maybe at the end of the day, it is the journey that is the true reward.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The biggest lesson I’ve had to unlearn is the fear of failure. Growing up, the idea of failing horrified me, because it would feel as if it was the end of the world. Once I reached my twenties, I began to realize that my failures actually helped me. It was never the end of my world, but instead lead me to a better one. Almost every failure I’ve had in my life, I learned from. I think of it as breaking a bone, only for it to mend and be stronger than before. Fear of failure can cause a lot of regret, and missed opportunities. I realized my fear of failing the career path I dreamed of, or finishing the book I was writing at the time was illogical. I hadn’t even finished the book, and I hadn’t been truly giving my all in pursuing the career I wanted, I had not failed anything, because I never tried in the first place. In order to unlearn this was to recognize what I feared, hold my breath and jump in. Don’t be mistaken, I failed a lot, but I had more success than ever before, and most of all, no regrets, just lessons learned.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedaytimereader/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cecily-allen-25011021a/
• Other: I have a podcast coming soon called “Sister Friends” be sure to check it out when our first episode drops! Follow my instagram for our first announcement!