Sierra received her Bachelor of Arts in History with an emphasis in African American studies from the historic Tougaloo College and her Master of Arts in History from The Ohio State University. Her research interests includes the U.S. civil rights movement, Black women's activism, and midwestern urban history. As a proud Minneapolitan, Sierra’s dissertation project will examine Black women’s contribution to the civil rights movement in the “City of Waters.”  

Sierra authored an essay through Picturing Black History, entitled, "A Mother's Power: The Bravery of Mamie Till-Mobley," which was re-published in the Picturing Black History book in November 2024. In this essay, readers will learn about the agency of Mamie Till-Mobley and her contribution to the civil rights movement.  

She serves as the National Publications Director for the Association of Black Women Historians (ABWH). 

Advisor: Dr. Hasan Jeffries 

Relevant Teaching Experience: Teaching Assistant for Civil Rights and Black Power Movement & African American History since 1877 undergraduate courses. 

Research Program Affiliations: UNCF Mellon-Mays Undergraduate Fellowship and SSRC Mellon-Mays Graduate Initiatives Program.