Black Girl, Bleu

A safe space where Black women reveal their struggles with mental health, including how the "Strong Black Woman" stereotype impacts their mental wellness and healing.

This candid short doc features interviews with Black women who have or are currently experiencing a mental health crisis; insight from Black therapists regarding the particular mental health challenges Black women face; resources to cultivate healing and tools to identify self.

  • Sharee Silerio
    Director
    The Mountains That Made Me, From Seed to Sunflower, Mothers Transforming Pain Into Purpose
  • Sharee Silerio
    Writer
    The Mountains That Made Me, From Seed to Sunflower, Mothers Transforming Pain Into Purpose
  • Sharee Silerio
    Producer
    The Mountains That Made Me, From Seed to Sunflower, Mothers Transforming Pain Into Purpose
  • Brittney Butler
    Director of Photography
  • Brittney Butler
    Editor
  • Karissa Anderson
    Key Cast
    "Self"
  • Tammy Anderson
    Key Cast
    "Self"
  • Tracie Berry-McGhee
    Key Cast
    "Self"
  • Mia Bible
    Key Cast
    "Self"
  • Brittany Conners
    Key Cast
    "Self"
  • Terrisila Phoenix
    Key Cast
    "Self"
  • Candace Runions
    Key Cast
    "Self"
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Genres:
    Reality, Inspirational
  • Runtime:
    30 minutes 11 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 2, 2020
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Sharee Silerio

Sharee Silerio is a screenwriter and filmmaker who tells stories where Black women and girls exist as full human beings on screen and feel seen, heard, loved and affirmed beyond the screen. Her film and television credits include projects on cable and streaming platforms such as Netflix, Oxygen, Comedy Central, MTV, Prime Video and more.

She recently completed her fourth short documentary Black Girl, Bleu, a conversation with Black women about the Strong Black Woman myth and how it impacts the mental health challenges they’ve been through, face and have overcome.

Her third short documentary, The Mountains That Made Me, was selected for the 18th Annual St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase plus invited to screen at the 27th Annual St. Louis International Film Festival as part of the Doc Shorts: Black Voices program.

Next, she is co-writing a scripted limited series about a Black female hidden figure from the Black beauty industry.

From documentaries to digital series' and narrative films, she uses intimate and authentic storytelling to reclaim the image of Blackness and reveal our intrinsic magic, beauty and worth.

She has an MA in media communications from Webster University as well as a BA in communication with a film studies certificate from St. Louis University. She was born, raised and lives in St. Louis, MO.

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Director Statement

It’s often difficult for people to see that another person is suffering when they are smiling, being promoted at work, making moves in their businesses or “balancing” their careers, families and love lives. It can be difficult to make sense of depression, anxiety or an eating disorder when that person is deemed “successful” in our eyes.

For Black women, this veil is even thicker, as societal and familial pressures, expectations and perceptions require them to be all things to everyone, at all times.

Through this documentary, I hope to deconstruct the stigmas surrounding mental health; encourage society to realize that mental illness does not “look” any particular way; create a safe, loving space for Black women to share their truth; and help Black women experiencing the same challenges see that they are not alone and healing is possible.

By the end of the film, I want all Black women to feel encouraged to seek the help they need. I want them to view themselves as worthy of help and care. I want them to see, know and believe that they matter, their pain matters and health, wellness and freedom are possible.