Member since August 2026
Ciera Payton is a highly acclaimed actress, motivational speaker, and advocate dedicated to creating platforms for youth and families impacted by incarceration, as well as everyday creative heroes who deserve to have their artistic voices heard. Born and raised in the vibrant city of New Orleans, she brings a unique blend of talent, resilience, and passion to her craft.
Ciera Payton has captivated audiences with an impressive portfolio of performances spanning film and television. She made her mark in the industry with her debut role starring opposite action legend Steven Seagal in the thrilling feature “Flight of Fury,” showcasing her combat skills and proving herself as a formidable presence in action-packed scenes. Ciera’s exceptional talent and versatility were further showcased in her lead role as Wendy Williams in Lifetime’s “Wendy Williams The Movie,” where she captivated viewers with her portrayal of the iconic talk show host. In Tyler Perry’s “The Oval,” Ciera brings the complex character of Lilly Winthrop to life, every week, leaving a lasting impression with her compelling performance. Her voice acting skills also shine through in Netflix’s “Princess Power,” where she lends her voice to Queen Katia, adding depth and charm to the animated series.
In addition to her remarkable career, Ciera Payton is the founder of The Michael’s Daughter Foundation, a remarkable organization that provides enrichment programs, resources, and creative arts platforms for youth and families impacted by incarceration. Ciera’s personal journey, including her father’s incarceration, inspired her to create this foundation where she and other amazing advocates help to empower underserved communities by creating a safe space for individuals to heal, grow, and reclaim their voices.
Ciera Payton’s exceptional talent, dedication to advocacy, and founding of The Michael’s Daughter Foundation make her a respected figure in the entertainment industry and a catalyst for change. Her remarkable performances, inspirational speeches, and impactful philanthropic efforts continue to uplift and empower individuals, fostering a more compassionate and inclusive society. With her New Orleans roots and a heart for uplifting others, Ciera Payton’s unwavering commitment to her craft and her passion for social impact make her an influential artist and advocate, leaving a lasting impression on both the industry and the communities she serves.
The power we have to rewrite our stories. I love talking about how our circumstances, especially the difficult ones, don’t have to determine who we become. Whether I’m speaking to young people, artists, women, mothers, or entrepreneurs, I light up when I can help someone recognize the power in their own story and see possibility where they may have once seen limitation. I’m especially passionate about creativity as a tool for healing, self-discovery, and transformation.
One of the most powerful stories I share is about meeting Maya Angelou during my senior year of college. At the time, I was a young actress from New Orleans trying to figure out what my life and career could become. Meeting her was transformative because of the way she made me feel seen. There was no judgment, no hierarchy, just this incredible sense of presence and possibility. She later introduced me to Tyler Perry, which became another meaningful thread in my journey.
What stayed with me most, though, wasn’t simply who she introduced me to. It was how she made me feel. That experience shaped the way I now show up for young people through my work. I want them to know that sometimes changing someone’s story begins with something as simple as truly seeing them.
The Michael’s Daughter Foundation was born from my own story. When I was 13, my father was incarcerated, and I experienced firsthand what it meant to be a young person carrying the weight of a parent’s incarceration while still trying to imagine a future for myself.
Acting and storytelling became an outlet for me. They gave me a place to process what I was experiencing, discover my voice, and ultimately envision a life beyond my circumstances. Years later, as my acting career grew, I realized that the very tools that helped transform my life could be used to help other young people transform theirs.
That was the a-ha moment behind The Michael’s Daughter Foundation: What if young people impacted by incarceration, adversity, and systems involvement could use storytelling not just to tell where they’ve been, but to imagine where they’re going?
What began from my personal experience has grown into an organization using filmmaking, animation, storytelling, and career-connected arts education to help young people build confidence, develop real-world skills, and see new possibilities for their futures.
At the heart of everything I do, on stage, on screen, and through my foundation, is one belief: you may not get to choose every chapter of your story, but you can decide what you write next.
One of the most powerful stories I share is about meeting Maya Angelou during my senior year of college. At the time, I was a young actress from New Orleans trying to figure out what my life and career could become. Meeting her was transformative because of the way she made me feel seen. There was no judgment, no hierarchy, just this incredible sense of presence and possibility. She later introduced me to Tyler Perry, which became another meaningful thread in my journey.
What stayed with me most, though, wasn’t simply who she introduced me to. It was how she made me feel. That experience shaped the way I now show up for young people through my work. I want them to know that sometimes changing someone’s story begins with something as simple as truly seeing them.
The Michael’s Daughter Foundation was born from my own story. When I was 13, my father was incarcerated, and I experienced firsthand what it meant to be a young person carrying the weight of a parent’s incarceration while still trying to imagine a future for myself.
Acting and storytelling became an outlet for me. They gave me a place to process what I was experiencing, discover my voice, and ultimately envision a life beyond my circumstances. Years later, as my acting career grew, I realized that the very tools that helped transform my life could be used to help other young people transform theirs.
That was the a-ha moment behind The Michael’s Daughter Foundation: What if young people impacted by incarceration, adversity, and systems involvement could use storytelling not just to tell where they’ve been, but to imagine where they’re going?
What began from my personal experience has grown into an organization using filmmaking, animation, storytelling, and career-connected arts education to help young people build confidence, develop real-world skills, and see new possibilities for their futures.
At the heart of everything I do, on stage, on screen, and through my foundation, is one belief: you may not get to choose every chapter of your story, but you can decide what you write next.
