Matthew A. Cherry
Author of Hair Love
About the Author
Works by Matthew A. Cherry
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Birthdate
- 1981-12-14
- Gender
- male
- Education
- University of Akron (Bachelors|Media)
- Occupations
- writer
director
producer
editor
football player (American, wide-receiver) - Awards and honors
- Academy Award. Best Animated Film (2020)
Black Reel Awards. Outstanding short (2020)
African American Film Critics Association. Breakout Director (2020)
CinEuphoria Award nominee. Best Animated Film - International Competition (2021) - Short biography
- Academy Award winning filmmaker Matthew A. Cherry is a Chicago native and a former NFL wide receiver who played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Cincinnati Bengals, Carolina Panthers and the Baltimore Ravens.
In 2007, Cherry retired and moved to LA to pursue a career in entertainment landing work initially as a production assistant for commercials and music videos before transitioning to being a Set PA for the final season of the hit CW TV series Girlfriends and the third season of Heroes for NBC.
After learning on set behind the scenes Matthew started directing music videos in 2008 and now has over 20 to his credit with his first directing credit being the video “I'm Free” for R&B singer Terry Dexter. Since then, Cherry has gone on to direct music videos for various artists, including Michelle Williams featuring Beyoncé & Kelly Rowland, Tweet, Jazmine Sullivan, Chloe X Halle, Lalah Hathaway, Kindred The Family Soul and many others.
In addition to directing music videos, Cherry directed the live action short films “This Time,” starring Reagan Gomez-Preston & Terri J. Vaughn about a soldier coming home from war and trying to win the love of his life back, and “Forward” starring Kenny Copper & Ciera Payton about finding love in an unexpected place. Matthew also created the award winning web series "Almost 30".
Cherry is also a feature filmmaker and his first indie feature, “The Last Fall,” starred Lance Gross, Nicole Beharie, Vanessa Bell Calloway Keith David, Harry Lennix and Darrin Dewitt Henson. “The Last Fall” is loosely based on the difficulties Cherry's experienced after he retired from the NFL and attempted to transition back into the real world. [from his website] - Nationality
- USA
- Birthplace
- Northwest Side, Chicago, Illinois
- Places of residence
- Los Angeles, California, USA
- Associated Place (for map)
- USA
Members
Reviews
Based upon a film of the same name, also written by Matthew A. Cherry, and due out later this year (2019), Hair Love is a sweet picture-book about a little African-American girl who is determined to have a very special hairdo for a very special occasion. Her father steps in to help, and after some trial and error, they produce just what she's been looking for...
There has been an uptick recently of picture-books featuring positive messages about black hair - think titles like Cozbi A. show more Cabrera's My Hair Is a Garden, Sharee Miller's Princess Hair, or Derrick Barnes' Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut - but Hair Love is something more. Although its does contain some positive affirmation - Zuri's hair is beautiful and versatile, the styles she uses reflecting her activities and moods - it is just as much a family story. Specifically, a loving father-daughter story, something not seen as frequently in picture-books, I feel, as other parent-child combinations. I found Cherry's narrative engaging and ultimately heartwarming, and thought that illustrator Vashti Harrison's artwork was charming. I particularly loved her depiction of Zuri's cat (small surprise), although all of the characters were expressively realized. Recommended to anyone looking for books about little African-American girls and their hair and/or the loving bond between fathers and daughters. show less
There has been an uptick recently of picture-books featuring positive messages about black hair - think titles like Cozbi A. show more Cabrera's My Hair Is a Garden, Sharee Miller's Princess Hair, or Derrick Barnes' Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut - but Hair Love is something more. Although its does contain some positive affirmation - Zuri's hair is beautiful and versatile, the styles she uses reflecting her activities and moods - it is just as much a family story. Specifically, a loving father-daughter story, something not seen as frequently in picture-books, I feel, as other parent-child combinations. I found Cherry's narrative engaging and ultimately heartwarming, and thought that illustrator Vashti Harrison's artwork was charming. I particularly loved her depiction of Zuri's cat (small surprise), although all of the characters were expressively realized. Recommended to anyone looking for books about little African-American girls and their hair and/or the loving bond between fathers and daughters. show less
Hair Love is a children’s picture book about a little girl name Zuri whose hair has lots of delightful kinks and curls that she can put up in all sorts of different ways depending on what she wants to be that day. But sometimes it can also have a mind of its own. One day, while Mommy is away, Zuri wants her hair to be just right, so she has to rely on Daddy to help her style it. After several tries, they finally find the perfect one that makes her feel special.
I’d really been looking show more forward to reading this book for some time, and it definitely didn’t disappoint. Little Zuri is so proud of her beautiful hair. Depending on how she styles it, she can feel like anything from a princess to a super-hero. But when Mommy is away and Daddy has to help, things don’t go very well until they watch a how-to video together and get it just right. This story is adorable, showcasing the genuine love between a father and his daughter as they bond over hairstyling. And when Mommy gets home, the expression of love only grows. Vashti Harrison’s illustrations are sweet and heartwarming, perfectly complementing the story and expressing all the emotions this family, especially little Zuri experience. Far more than a story about hair, this is a beautiful tale of family life, self-esteem, and freely expressing yourself that would be great for everyone. I think it could be especially wonderful for families of color to see themselves represented on page. But I think it could also be helpful for any little ones with difficult to tame hair to see a little girl who appreciate hers in such a joyful way. I can’t recommend it highly enough. I’d forgotten that there’s also a short film of the same title that won the Oscar in its category in 2020. After this delightful reading experience, I’m definitely going to see if I can find it. show less
I’d really been looking show more forward to reading this book for some time, and it definitely didn’t disappoint. Little Zuri is so proud of her beautiful hair. Depending on how she styles it, she can feel like anything from a princess to a super-hero. But when Mommy is away and Daddy has to help, things don’t go very well until they watch a how-to video together and get it just right. This story is adorable, showcasing the genuine love between a father and his daughter as they bond over hairstyling. And when Mommy gets home, the expression of love only grows. Vashti Harrison’s illustrations are sweet and heartwarming, perfectly complementing the story and expressing all the emotions this family, especially little Zuri experience. Far more than a story about hair, this is a beautiful tale of family life, self-esteem, and freely expressing yourself that would be great for everyone. I think it could be especially wonderful for families of color to see themselves represented on page. But I think it could also be helpful for any little ones with difficult to tame hair to see a little girl who appreciate hers in such a joyful way. I can’t recommend it highly enough. I’d forgotten that there’s also a short film of the same title that won the Oscar in its category in 2020. After this delightful reading experience, I’m definitely going to see if I can find it. show less
Ablack girl helps her dad learn how to give her the perfect hairstyle for a very special day.
Zuri’s voluminous head of hair “has a mind of its own. It kinks, coils, and curls every which way.” She is pictured asleep with a large Afro framing her face. She is proud of her hair, which she sometimes wears in braids with beads like a princess and other times in pigtail puffs. But today is a special day. She knows Daddy is “worn-out” and probably needs a break, so she lets him sleep in show more while she looks up hairstyles on a tablet. When Daddy wakes and offers to help, he tries a series of hairstyles that just don’t work. Finally, Zuri grabs some hair supplies and shows him a tutorial. “Watching carefully… / Daddy combed, / parted, oiled, and twisted. / He nailed it!” Zuri is lovely and happy with her freshly done hairstyle, and when Mommy arrives to their “Welcome Home” sign, she loves Zuri’s look too. The digital illustrations feature details that feel just right: Zuri’s thick, textured hair, Daddy’s locs and tattoo, and dark-skinned Mom’s bright headwrap. While it’s unclear where Mommy is returning from (she is dressed casually and has a rolling black suitcase), this authentic depiction of a loving and whole black family broadens the scope of representation.
Positively refreshing. (Picture book. 4-9) show less
Zuri’s voluminous head of hair “has a mind of its own. It kinks, coils, and curls every which way.” She is pictured asleep with a large Afro framing her face. She is proud of her hair, which she sometimes wears in braids with beads like a princess and other times in pigtail puffs. But today is a special day. She knows Daddy is “worn-out” and probably needs a break, so she lets him sleep in show more while she looks up hairstyles on a tablet. When Daddy wakes and offers to help, he tries a series of hairstyles that just don’t work. Finally, Zuri grabs some hair supplies and shows him a tutorial. “Watching carefully… / Daddy combed, / parted, oiled, and twisted. / He nailed it!” Zuri is lovely and happy with her freshly done hairstyle, and when Mommy arrives to their “Welcome Home” sign, she loves Zuri’s look too. The digital illustrations feature details that feel just right: Zuri’s thick, textured hair, Daddy’s locs and tattoo, and dark-skinned Mom’s bright headwrap. While it’s unclear where Mommy is returning from (she is dressed casually and has a rolling black suitcase), this authentic depiction of a loving and whole black family broadens the scope of representation.
Positively refreshing. (Picture book. 4-9) show less
Ablack girl helps her dad learn how to give her the perfect hairstyle for a very special day.
Zuri’s voluminous head of hair “has a mind of its own. It kinks, coils, and curls every which way.” She is pictured asleep with a large Afro framing her face. She is proud of her hair, which she sometimes wears in braids with beads like a princess and other times in pigtail puffs. But today is a special day. She knows Daddy is “worn-out” and probably needs a break, so she lets him sleep in show more while she looks up hairstyles on a tablet. When Daddy wakes and offers to help, he tries a series of hairstyles that just don’t work. Finally, Zuri grabs some hair supplies and shows him a tutorial. “Watching carefully… / Daddy combed, / parted, oiled, and twisted. / He nailed it!” Zuri is lovely and happy with her freshly done hairstyle, and when Mommy arrives to their “Welcome Home” sign, she loves Zuri’s look too. The digital illustrations feature details that feel just right: Zuri’s thick, textured hair, Daddy’s locs and tattoo, and dark-skinned Mom’s bright headwrap. While it’s unclear where Mommy is returning from (she is dressed casually and has a rolling black suitcase), this authentic depiction of a loving and whole black family broadens the scope of representation.
Positively refreshing. (Picture book. 4-9) show less
Zuri’s voluminous head of hair “has a mind of its own. It kinks, coils, and curls every which way.” She is pictured asleep with a large Afro framing her face. She is proud of her hair, which she sometimes wears in braids with beads like a princess and other times in pigtail puffs. But today is a special day. She knows Daddy is “worn-out” and probably needs a break, so she lets him sleep in show more while she looks up hairstyles on a tablet. When Daddy wakes and offers to help, he tries a series of hairstyles that just don’t work. Finally, Zuri grabs some hair supplies and shows him a tutorial. “Watching carefully… / Daddy combed, / parted, oiled, and twisted. / He nailed it!” Zuri is lovely and happy with her freshly done hairstyle, and when Mommy arrives to their “Welcome Home” sign, she loves Zuri’s look too. The digital illustrations feature details that feel just right: Zuri’s thick, textured hair, Daddy’s locs and tattoo, and dark-skinned Mom’s bright headwrap. While it’s unclear where Mommy is returning from (she is dressed casually and has a rolling black suitcase), this authentic depiction of a loving and whole black family broadens the scope of representation.
Positively refreshing. (Picture book. 4-9) show less
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Statistics
- Works
- 3
- Members
- 2,853
- Popularity
- #8,987
- Rating
- 4.6
- Reviews
- 53
- ISBNs
- 27
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