The intersection of arts, advocacy, and entertainment is not what one would necessarily call a fit, but for Cheryl Berry Neal, it makes all the sense in the world.
“How do I get people to understand that the arts, advocacy, and entertainment are intrinsically interconnected? For me, it’s about enabling and elevating all our voices to be heard and understood in all three arenas.”
Cheryl — whose expertise is in arts & cultural leadership, advocacy & civil engagement, and entertainment & production — has a compelling byline: “art awakens, advocacy empowers, entertainment inspires.” She’s here to connect all three, to bridge the worlds of entertainment, philanthropy, and social change.
That’s a tall order, one in which discipline and dedication are key, along with a constant attunement to what’s occurring in the world and how it impacts every facet of one’s life. Cheryl has also found that what’s required is a commitment to continued learning and the drive to expand oneself in our ever-changing, frenetic, and highly distracted world.
“I believe it’s important to continue to have outlets where people can learn. With everything I’m involved in, I want people to question, to research, to discover new perspectives, and to find ways in which they can become part of something larger than themselves.”
That idea was prevalent in Cheryl’s family, where she is the seventh of eight kids. As she puts it, “I grew up in a very lively home; full all the time with friends and family, where we always played music, watched movies, and created things.” She credits her early home life with instilling in her a nascent desire to get involved, to let her natural curiosity drive her to learn more, and subsequently, to support others in being more than they perceive themselves and life to be.
Importantly, Cheryl’s parents were significant mentors for her. “My father was a businessman, and my mother was the Executive Director of the YMCA.” Her parents married young and immediately started a family. Her mom didn’t finish high school, but went on to attain her GED, then a bachelor’s degree, and then a master’s. She began working as a secretary for the YMCA and eventually became the ED, the first Black woman to hold that position.
“My mom did all that plus raised eight children and she did it effortlessly.” With a household of highly talented achievers, Cheryl began creating what would become a roadmap for herself, something she could impart to her own daughter, as well as anyone she interacts with.
“I watch people, their behaviors, and the things they’re involved with, and I’m always supporting them in reaching higher, to be and do better.” Cheryl encourages people of all ages to explore and research because they may find a rabbit hole that turns into treasure and that opens doors to a world of possibilities. “I want to listen to what everyone else is saying and then figure out where and how I can meet them to get things done. I want to work with the bigger picture.”
That bigger picture involves knowing one’s history, of their family, their community and culture, and the world at large. “It’s not about me, it’s not about you, it’s about the community, the country. It’s knowing whose shoulders you stand on.”
Cheryl strives to bring everyone together. She doesn’t care about your status: she views everyone at the same level, a level in which they can learn and be inspired, in which they can make deeper connections. That’s a significant aspect of creating roadmaps for ourselves and future generations — it’s a different facet of legacy building.
Having followed the roadmaps of others and built upon them, Cheryl is sharing what she’s learned by putting everything on the table. “We truly are living in a matrix, and to see it, you have to take a step back, look at the entire picture, figure out where things are going, and where the holes are. From there, you can begin formulating a strategy and what your next moves are, and where and how to adapt or shift directions.”
This is where the arts, advocacy, and entertainment come into play. As the founder and CEO of B The Now, Inc. and Nealie House Productions, Cheryl “identifies growth opportunities, builds strategic roadmaps, and curates cultural experiences that spark genuine engagement and action.” She’s focused on “building community, legacy preservation, and elevating diverse voices through compelling storytelling and strong partnerships.”
Awakening, Empowering, and Inspiring are the bedrock of Cheryl’s work, a powerful combination that informs individually and collectively, shapes culture, and creates the space and heart for deeper, more meaningful lives of purpose and value.
