Meet Michele Cannon

We were lucky to catch up with Michele Cannon recently and have shared our conversation below.

Michele, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

Thinking upon the fact that neither of my parents achieved their dream. My father dreamt of being an entrepreneur. He was brilliant actually. Graduated valedictorian of his class in 1947. For reasons unknown to me, his didn’t go to college. I have my theories, however. He joined the Army and fought in the Korean War.

My mother dreamt of owning a restaurant. She was an incredible cook. Totally self taught. However, she dealt with abandonment issues as a child and abuse from her mother’s side of the family. Essentially, my father “rescued” her but she never felt worthy.

I am determined to fulfill their dreams, as all of their talents are present within me as well as their obstacles. And, I’m determined to fulfill all of my dreams. I won’t stop. That is what drives me.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I graduated from Case Western Reserve University with a B.A in Theatre Arts, minoring in English. I was actually admitted to the Pre-Med program, soon realizing that becoming a doctor was my father’s dream for me and not, I made the switch. (They refused to pay my tuition for a semester until I threatened to run off to NYC. Hence, graduating a semester late.)

I wandered the globe without any sort of social network. Social networking would have certainly made my journey easier….I think. However, looking back, every experience has served to feed my creativity. I’ve worked extensively in theater, film, tv, dance and chorus. To keep a roof over my head, I’ve worked in legal, banking, education, restaurant management and culinary arts and proposal drafting.

I’ve met incredible people along the way as more of a voyeur in that I’ve made very few strong attachments. This is something I’m trying to rectify in this chapter of my life. I admire artists, writers, philosophers and entrepreneurs who embrace reclusivity but, I’m not cut out for it.

I had sparks of success in NYC and was really excited about the way my career was finally headed. My acting was getting noticed and I was working a lot. My screenplay were getting buzzed in script competitions. I had a cushiony bread and butter assignment with ACLU. I was teaching young performers regularly on the weekends. I was even catering for friends. Then, COVID-19 changed everything.

So, not one to be deterred, I decided to relocate to LA. If the world was drastically changing, so will I. Don’t even question my logic because I truly truly don’t understand it.

Presently, I’m in LA. I’ve brought all of my film and tv projects to pitch. Joined a female entrepreneurial group to network. Became more proactive in the union and I’m determined to be established professionally, financially and socially.

I’ve worked on two exciting films, “K-Pop” directed by Anderson.Paak and “Michael” directed by Antoine Fuqua. My heart lies with indie filmmakers and auteur directors. My resume has attested to that.

I’ve completed an exciting pitch proposal for a digital application reality musical competition that has been submitted to one of the biggest streamers. It’s designed to disrupt.

I have a horror Lovecraftian themed film for which I’m raising funds and a Zombie dramedy that I’ve been pitching.

Continued shout out to the ACLU for allowing me to work remotely right when I need it.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I have to approach this question a bit differently. First of all, I didn’t have these qualities I’m about to mention early on and I believe in my not having them has served to delay my progress.

For instance, TIME. Of course time is finite, but, one must not be so rigid in setting a time frame without understanding that LIFE happens. This became so apparent when relationships, death of ones, illness, financial upheaval, Covid and strikes happened in my life. You have to manage your expectations in regards to life. Folks call it “lifing” now.

Secondly, ENJOY YOU! No, you’re not perfect, but YOU are fearfully and wonderfully made. Just continue to achieve your personal self and your personal best. Never compare! Don’t seek external validation. Not getting the lead doesn’t mean you can’t act. Folks not knowing who you are doesn’t mean you’re not important. Accolades do not define.

Thirdly, have a relentless drive for progress and always remain teachable. The quest for knowledge exercises the body, mind and spirit. Attain knowledge line above line and precept upon precept. Don’t try to gulp it all down because you will choke.

Read!!! Learn languages!!!

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

That’s easy. The BIBLE. It’s a living organism for me. My favorite scripture is Proverb 3:5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all thy ways and He will direct thy path.”

Now, I pray about everything I do, embark upon, everyone I connect with and I give thanks for everything. I give thanks for the uncomfortable experiences because I will parlay these experiences into character building, lessons and into my acting and writing.

My screenplay, “The Unruly One” is a horror film and based upon actual experiences that were horrific for me. It is one of my best works.

Another scripture I live by is Romans 8:28 “All things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are the called according to His purpose.”

Nothing in and of my life is wasted. Now, I repurpose everything.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @official.michelecannon
• Twitter: @Shekinah7

Image Credits

All photos are mine