Today we’d like to introduce you to Bee Jackson.
So, before we jump into specific questions about what you do, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Being a product of the south, the westside of Atlanta to be exact, I grew up in a broad environment with many aspirations influenced by the things around me. As a young undergrad student, I struggled to figure out what my ultimate goals would be. What did I want to do in life? I began with biology and then moved to health and fitness management, but I noticed that I was not excelling in any of those fields simply because those things just didn’t excite me anymore. I remember feeling frustrated, depressed, and failed. Until one day I spoke to my academic advisor about my issue and that one conversation helped me realize that I can turn my interests (talent, media, and design) into my career. With being a trained dancer and coordinating many pageants because of my love of assisting in enhancing others’ talents, the answer to all my frustrations was in my heart — to pursue a path media and any other avenues that sparked a genuine interest for me.
I am passionate about building upon the knowledge and exploration of the media and social environment that surrounds me. While obtaining my master’s degree in Public Relations, I was able to build a mastery journal as an open book to document my thoughts, inspirations, and creativity, which led me to where I am today. Bee — the dancer, model, pageant coordinator, creative designer, and the list goes on. I believe this is a very important tool for millennials today. Not only to express ourselves but to use as a canvas to let our mind and ambitions take us as far as our souls can feel.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not. At. All. Finding myself, finding confidence, and being comfortable with who I am was definitely my biggest struggle along my journey and is still something I have a hard time dealing with to this day, especially confidence. I usually never bring this one word up, but I think I am at a space in my life where I am somewhat okay with speaking on and that is anxiety. I was diagnosed with this at a young age and I still remember it like it was yesterday. My senior year of high school, weeks before graduation. So, since the age of 18 until now 25, I’ve dealt with many episodes of anxiety. Whether it’s over something so simple or a matter that I felt was totally bigger than me. I am just thankful that I’ve surrounded myself with family and friends that accept me for who I am and are willing to help me cope with my anxieties when dealing with obstacles that life throws at me.
Honestly, my journey is just getting started. For the past few months, I’ve been struggling with building my interior design and creative branding services. From being discouraged about how long of a process it takes, to having creator’s block when editing my logo, promotional material, and website, wanting to close my laptop and throw it across the room, to hiding behind fear that it won’t even succeed. I have to stop myself and think, “Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear” ― George Addair. It is so important that we, as women, build that bridge up and realize that we are way too strong to be held back by fear. My advice to young women who are just starting their journey just like me is the same as it was before, to never give up. No matter how hard things may seem, with faith, better days will come. I mean look at it this way, what if my big sister Beyonce would’ve given up?
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
Let’s just say I’m a prime mover of all things that require creativity, which is what I am most proud of. I do work a full-time job, but I also specialize in enhancing others’ talents through my work of being a dance teacher and pageant coordinator/coach. I’ve trained in ballet, tap, and modern dance since the age of seven and have been working with pageants for five years now. I’ve taken modeling under my belt as well and I am proud to say that I have been working with an urban clothing brand by the name of Living Royalty for a few years now.
But my most recent work is definitely my PR work for my sister and friend Taishyka Turner of 2BeReel Media Productions, which will be featured on my website for my services that are coming in the near future. I am in the works of creating my own services called BEEinstyle, where I will be providing creative branding aid to individuals needing assistance with expanding their brand through social media content. In addition, I will offer interior design services as well.
Lastly, I think what sets me apart from others is my low key demeanor. I’m a very chill person, also very sociable, but a force to reckoned with. If you ask anyone that knows me well, they’ll say I’m literally like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.
We’re interested to hear your thoughts on female leadership – in particular, what do you feel are the biggest barriers or obstacles?
I would have to say a huge barrier today for females is the negative thoughts that are carried. What I mean by this is, we tend to let our minds be bombarded by negative thoughts that arise with everything we do to the point where it starts controlling us. Females were already viewed as a group that is unequal in the workplace and world, in general, once upon a time. Entering our society can be tough on females’ confidence in leadership as we have these thoughts already pinned to us. But here’s where being consciously aware plays a role. We have to pay more attention to our mind, body, and the environment surrounding us and create a space of positivity.
One thing one of my closest friends always tells me when I am struggling with negative thoughts is to be unapologetically me. This forces me, as a female, to replace negative thoughts, such as not being strong enough, with more positive ones to appreciate who I am. This is why I always continue to stress the importance of females being there for one another to uplift instead of tearing each other down.
Contact Info:
- Website: Coming Soon
- Email: yeaaabee@gmail.com
- Instagram: @yeaaabee
Image Credit:
Chase Davinci, Daka David, Joshua Talley, Taishyka Turner
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