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Today we’d like to introduce you to Jemini Powell.
Hi Jemini, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started out in gymnastics when I was really young and competed in the sport until I was a teenager. However, I had an emotional abusive coach during my time as a gymnast and could no longer tolerate it and ended up quitting the sport. I was lost. I started searching around for new sports to do and saw a YouTube video of parkour and instantly got hooked. I bought a mat off Amazon, used my family’s front yard and cars and taught myself how to flip. Years later, I ended up becoming the 2x USA Parkour cup champion and my videos on social media started getting attention. My videos were somehow seen by one of the stunt coordinators on a marvel film and once she saw my videos she believed I would be great as a Dora Milaje. She sent my information over to the team on Black Panther Wakanda Forever and I ended up getting the amazing opportunity to be a part of such an amazing impactful film.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It definitely has not been easy. Six years ago, a lot of my family became sick. My mother has Bells Palsy, facial paralysis, after giving birth to my little sister. My grandma has an anti-inflammatory disease and cannot take care of herself. My grandfather has had numerous strokes and is also unable to take care of himself and we also found out my little niece was autistic. So I had to drop everything I was doing and be there to help and take care of my family. It was extremely difficult trying to figure out how to be at home in order to help everyone and make sure they were all ok while also making time to go after my dreams and goals and opportunities I wanted to do. Trying to navigate it all has not been easy, it’s still something I am trying to figure out how to do to this day while these illnesses continue to plague my family but we are all figuring it out together to make sure I am still able to chase my dreams.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a Professional Parkour athlete as well as a Stunt Actress. I’m most known for my role as a Dora Milaje in the blockbuster movie Black Panther Wakanda Forever. I’m proud I went for a very unconventional route in life. Not many people would go jump, climb or flip off buildings and different structures but to me, it is so extremely fun and amazing to do. I love seeing just how much my body is capable to learning and doing and how strong I can push my mind mentally.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
As crazy as this sounds, watching reality game shows really helps me a lot. Survivor, The Amazing Race, The Challenge, America’s Got Talent. Just watching other people give it their all, seeing their stories, watching people push themselves and go for things they may have never done before truly inspires me. I learn a lot of lessons watching these shows. Seeing people go out and give it everything just makes me want to do the same and push myself.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck3leyfuQgW/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRWhmtoq/
Image Credits
Flipping picture credit: Pedro Rocha
