Born and raised in New York City where people do not sleep , Mercedies defined herself . As a god fearing woman , she looked to GOD to help her get through her rough patches . As a young girl she knew she was talented the day she was able to play amongst men in basketball . Most people remember her as the " tom boy " but over time she made a transition from sports into the modeling industry, from there her journey began . Although she went through tough times , she overcame them . She holds the memories of her father closely and after losing her father to prostate cancer in 2004 , her outlook on life was very clear . She wanted to take the world by storm , and so she did . Her sister April , a business lawyer who loves to travel is her biggest inspiration aside from her mother Joan, a god fearing Christian . Most of her friends call her "Benze" a name that stuck with her throughout her life . She's a confident woman , standing at 5'7 & Mercedies's energy is what makes most people want to be around her . She's the woman that many can see as a triple threat . Brains and beauty is not the only thing that can seperate her from other women , her personality is vibrant and her goals are limitless . To her , there is no better place than in front of a camera and more importantly she loves to feel accomplished . Even in a city where it seems overpopulated , she manages to stand out . She holds her head up because as far as she is concern life is what you make it .

" LET US NOT BECOME WEARY IN DOING GOOD , FOR AT THE PROPER TIME WE WILL REAP A HARVEST IF WE DO NOT GIVE UP "

" you will never find time for anything , you must make it "

" start by doing what is necessary then what is possible and suddenly you're doing the impossible "

<3 Benze "seize the day .

contact Mercedies at - [email protected] . serious inquiries only