Atlanta's Shakirah DeMesier debuts in film while growing Black-owned business

Shakirah DeMesier, an Atlanta-based Haitian-American actress and entrepreneur, is marking a career milestone with her film debut in Amazon MGM Studios and Orion Pictures' Your Mother, Your Mother, Your Mother, WRAL reported.

DeMesier's role as Khadijah, a wife and mother of three whose death deeply affects her family, was added late in the film's development. The character has no dialogue, and DeMesier secured the part through an unconventional silent audition involving improvisational prompts over Zoom, according to BOSSIP.

Her personal experience of losing her own mother influenced her performance, adding emotional depth to the role, BOSSIP noted. DeMesier described the experience of seeing herself on screen at the Toronto International Film Festival as surreal and rewarding.

Beyond acting, DeMesier is committed to fostering Black entrepreneurship in Atlanta through her hospitality business, The Upper Room ATL, which exclusively features Black-owned brands to support economic growth in the community, according to The Beat DFW.

DeMesier measures success by community impact rather than personal achievement and plans to expand her businesses while mentoring others, highlighting her dedication to culture, family, and community as reported by BOSSIP and The Beat DFW.