Enterprising and free-spirited, the animated literateur has birthed a caricature that captures the life and times of an 8-year-old black girl who resides in Brooklyn, under the
guidance of her mother and grandmother. In storybook form, Sellers breathes real-life messages into Briana, a feisty, self-confident character. However, it is how Briana deals with
realistic issues divorce, death, puberty that makes Sellers' concept timely."There weren't enough images for little black girls that were
living real life scenarios," said the Hampton University graduate. She says that her positive character focuses in on the undistorted African American experience.
"Briana lives in a household comprised of three generations of wisdom. Her mother is a successful career woman, and her grandmother is full of common sense and sagacity," Sellers said.
Briana's background is not far from Sellers' own New York upbringing. Although her parents were divorced, she said that they connected to encourage education and determination. Her mother is an
English professor and personal trainer; her father is an oncology sales specialist, who aids doctors with pharmaceutical remedies for cancer patients. A strong presence was also extended by Sellers'
mother's boyfriend, a computer specialist who has been a positive influence in the life of her and her younger sister (an engineer) for two decades.
The quick-wit, spit-fire nature that Briana embodies can be attributed to the guidance on her extended family. In "it takes a village to raise a child" fashion, Sellers weaves a tale through the
neighborhood of an inquisitive little girl bursting with curiosity.
"In Briana's world it is OK to ask questions, to dream and to be yourself," said Sellers.
Finding the road to self-identity came quickly for Sellers, who reflects upon a short-lived career in corporate America, which led to a rapidly escalating profession as a leading lyrics writer, playwright
and dramatist. After graduating from Hampton University with a degree in public relations and marketing, Sellers was immediately hired by Turner Sports, a division of Turner Broadcasting
System, Inc., in a sports marketing position. Though she was working in the glamorous atmosphere of professional athletes for a major corporation, she said that she was bored. She felt that her
creativity was forced into hibernation.
She then went on to a video-editor position with the NBA's Atlanta Hawks. Again, she found
herself in the high profile arena of sports and celebrities, yet still unfulfilled. "I was embarrassed. I had spent all of these years in school, but I knew that corporate America wasn't for me. My dad
asked, 'What are you going to do?'" she said.
At 21, she co-founded EnterSport, a public relations firm which specialized in sports marketing. Eventually business differences forced a mutually agreeable disunion.
Flying solo has reaped innumerable results for Sellers, who says that everything she touches turns to gold. Within less than three years, she has traveled with the U.S. Olympic boxing team as a summer
intern in public relations. She writes musical lyrics. She is gearing up for an acting career, and she is co-existing in Europe as the wife of former Washington Bullets forward Rod Sellers. His current
position with European leagues takes him to Greece, Spain and Turkey.
Though her creative plate is toppled high, Sellers said that marketing "Briana's World" as a U.S.
brand is her main agenda. The project is strengthened by the talent of Ahad Pace, fellow Hampton University pal and graphic artist.
"There are all of these books on the market that are about Sally, Bob, their two children and the dog. But, that's not the reality of most blacks." Sellers said that she expects the full series of
"Briana's World" to be published this fall, with licensing to include coloring books, a cartoon series, and imaging on children's products.
The cutesy wide-grinned character with thick-braided plaits is as sure to win her way into the hearts of mainstream America as Alice in Wonderland or the Barbie doll. .
