Mercedes White – 2026 KSA

Mercedes White is an accomplished actress, playwright, and screenwriter born
and raised in Chicago’s vibrant Pilsen neighborhood. As a biracial artist of African
American and Mexican descent, Mercedes crafts compelling narratives that
amplify voices from her community whose stories often go unheard, with a
particular focus on Black womanhood and the Black and Brown experience. A
SAG-AFTRA actress with extensive theatrical training, Mercedes holds a
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of Illinois (UIUC) and
completed an Artistic Internship with Milwaukee Repertory Theatre. Her stage
work spans numerous regional productions, including notable roles in “A Skeptic
and a Bruja” (Urbanite Theatre), “The Brothers Size” (Definition Theatre), and
“Clybourne Park” (Milwaukee Rep). Mercedes has also established herself in
television and film, with appearances on “Law and Order: SVU” (NBC),
“Somebody Somewhere” (HBO), “Chicago PD” (NBC), and “Empire” (FOX). As a
writer, Mercedes creates works of profound personal significance. Her play “THE
RIVER JORDAN,” dedicated to her late brother Alvin who struggled with mental
health and homelessness before losing his life in a hit-and-run accident, explores
family dynamics, societal invisibility, and the complexities of love and loss. Her
other written works include “GENESIS: A Prequel to A Raisin in the Sun,”
“METAPHOR FOR A TREE,” and “THE SPACE IN BETWEEN.