Schelle Purcell is a woman in action. The Gulfport native, now based in Atlanta, has found her footing in the entertainment industry while also being a single mom. In January, she appeared in the six-episode series “Women of the Movement” on ABC.
Here, she shares how she got to where she is and what she has planned for the future.
PLEASE TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF, YOUR BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE.
I graduated from Gulfport High School and completed some college on the Gulf Coast. After Hurricane Katrina, I relocated to North Carolina and did a little more college at North Carolina Central University. That is where my love affair with the entertainment industry began.
I started writing, and my first of six stage plays came to life. Four short films, three feature films and a move to Georgia were the beginning of my successful journey as a working actor, writer and established director.
WHAT ARE SOME KEY MOMENTS/EXPERIENCES THAT HAVE HELPED YOU DEVELOP INTO THE PERSON YOU ARE TODAY?
(After) Hurricane Katrina, I just wanted to come back home. That’s why I started writing. Then there was losing a husband after 54 days of marriage that ignited the depression and drug and alcohol dependence to cope and understand the “why.”
But on the other side of that was God, who used my oldest daughter to whisper into my ear (and instill) the need for me to fight for life after that — and that’s what I did. I prayed, and I wrote. I prayed, and I wrote some more. Then I prayed, wrote and produced with some of the most amazing extended family in North Carolina that a person could ever ask for.
Their love, coupled with my family and close friends from Gulfport and my pastor (the Rev. Charles Tyner Sr.), kept speaking life into everything I created, or even said I was going to do, and I did it — all of it. I love them for that, every one of them, and they know exactly who they are.
WHAT IS “WOMEN OF THE MOVEMENT” ABOUT? WHAT IS YOUR ROLE IN IT, AND WHAT MAKES YOU EXCITED TO BE A PART OF IT?
“Women of the Movement” is a six-part series retelling the murder of Emmett Till and how his mother, Mamie Till- Mobley, made the brave decision to have an open-casket viewing that ignited the Civil Rights Movement. I will be playing Adeline Loggins, the wife of Henry Lee Loggins — a Black man who allegedly witnessed the murder.
When I got the audition notice, the title “Women of the Movement” immediately made me sit up in my bed. I read the breakdown of what the series was about and who was producing it. I got nervous. In this industry, when you get an audition, you only get one shot to book. I auditioned for a different role first but didn’t book it. I was a little sad, but I’ve taught myself on this journey what is for me is for me.
Then I received another audition notice — this time for this character. I said, “This is it. I must do something ‘different’ if I want this opportunity, God.” My mentor, Deja Dee, taught us not to be afraid to take risks in your performance. Commit to your decision and leave it all on the tape. I booked it! I literally cried. To be born and raised in Mississippi and be a part of retelling this story from the mouth of a Black woman, a Black mother, will forever live in my heart. … Every person, every location and every detail made this project a success.
Black women make a difference! That is the story of our lives from the beginning of time. We give, even when we have nothing left to give. We share. We love unconditionally. We figure it out and stand by while others take credit for it. We breathe life into circumstances that seem hopeless. We (are the) foreground of this country, and it’s OK if people don’t understand it or see it that way. The facts are the facts, and we never asked for recognition; we just asked to be treated equally for what we have given selflessly.
“Women of the Movement” aired on Jan. 6 and is available for streaming on Hulu.
HOW HAS YOUR JOB/CAREER EVOLVED AND PROGRESSED SINCE IT STARTED? WHAT DIRECTION WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IT GO?
It’s not an easy job to be in the television and film industry. I started out as an independent filmmaker. That is a humbling experience, especially when you are asking people to financially invest in your dreams. It was extremely tough and still is, but what do you do? Quit? Heck no!
I quickly had to learn, “no” is not the final answer. Maybe it is for that person you asked at that time, but ask someone else. There is a “yes” out there with your name on it!
I have so many goals. There is the community theatre and community center I will open in Gulfport and Raleigh. There’s the restaurant(s) I will invest in for Bria & Brhodie (son-to-be). There’s the production studio I will open for writers and directors to start their indie projects, where budgets are not in the millions of dollars. There are the speaking tours I’ll do between my regular shows. There is whatever (my daughter) Chanel will need me to invest in, because she is super creative. Then there is On Your Feet, my nonprofit for teen parent support.
There are so many things coming for Schelle Purcell! I trust God for them and then some.