Shumerria was born and raised in Montgomery, AL, home of the Civil Rights Movement so her drive to fight for her dreams runs deep. "I've been writing since I could pick up a pen, singing since I was 10, and acting since high school.

 

In the beginning performance was more of an infatuation of mine." Shumerria's infatuation lead her to Alabama State University where she attained her B.A. in Theatre Arts. Then it lead her to The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts where she studied film acting. Her education and training transformed her infatuation into a genuine love and passion for performing.

 

 "My moment of confirmation came the day that my voice over teacher asked me to stay after class and she told me, 'don't give up on this, because you're really good. It's going to be difficult, but don't give up because you are really talented." That was quite a revelation because her teacher was BLIND. "If a blind lady could see that, then I know I've got something truly remarkable." Shumerria has been fighting for her passion ever since.

 

Since pursuing her passion, Shumerria has garnered a body of work that includes: NBC's "Shades of Blue", HBO's "Show Me A Hero", and the Academy Award Nominated Documentary film "I Am Not Your Negro". She has also worked along the side of Jerry Seinfeld in "Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee" and is currently the host of the industry inspired webseries "#ActorsLife".  As her career continues to blossom, Shumerria contests, "I'm driven not only by my passion for performing, but also by my will to show the world what my teacher saw in me; which doesn't take much sight to see."