Today we’d like to introduce you to J. Jazzie JonesSmith. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Jazzie Jones-Smith is the founder and managing member of, Sojazzie Enterprises LLC which is the home of multiple businesses umbrellaed under the parent company. She is a Native of NC, living and working bi-coastal between the West Coast and East Coast. She walks boldly in the shoes of a 56-year-old newly divorced woman all while reinventing herself in this season of growth as a journalist student at Moreno Valley College. She is the mother of four children (three living adults) eight grands and two fur babies. Featured in Women 2 Watch in 2007, Jazzie has done her best to embody what she coined the soon-to-be-released journal, ‘The Printed Prophecy’. Jazzie was chosen by then presiding Bishop Dennis Meredith as the Leader over the TBC Women Empowerment Ministry in 2012. She was given a Proclamation of the State for Outstanding Service in GA and abroad for her work in the community by Councilwoman Keisha Waites during her work with her first digital media collaboration. Continuing her journey, Jazzie was honored and selected by City Box Media as a Maven of Dior @Lenox Macys Atlanta, for her representation in the community in Real Estate and commitment to excellence. Having a flare for living life on purpose and giving a voice to various causes, businesses & organizations that go unheard or unseen, this SoJazzieHomeGirl, as most people address her, has created and recreated business organizations & events in GA, NC & California, such as Sojazzie HomeGirl Media & Podcast Network, Off The Market Realty Group, Onvacation 24-7 Travel, Sojazzie Girl Cosmetics, Sojazzie Girl Photography & Events, Creative Xpressions Hair Studios, Luxury Investments Grp, Salsa Noir Productions Truck This Way Logistics and From Words 2 Action Outreach Ministries, an author of three Real Estate Books & a memoir on the way.
With all the many hats she wears, she uses her position as a Radio Host, now with Sojazzie Home Girl Media & Podcast with over 11 years of experience, to speak freely & fearlessly about anything if it Empowers, Impacts, Entertains, and Motivates people to create the lives that they want to be and see. Utilizing this platform has afforded her many opportunities to bring news, education, and awareness to listening audiences nationally and internationally, she recently covered the 50 years of Hip-Hop phenomena with DJ Nabs, whom helped revolutionize many artists like Kriss Kross and the infamous ‘Jump Jump’ song, and artists like Outkast, Big Boi in particular, who was awarded proclamations from city officials and day of recognition for his contribution to the genre.
With passions that run deep, a few of the primary causes that pull her heart are eradicating Homelessness, creating continued resources for caregivers of Autistic and special needs children and adults, creating tougher laws for predators of sex trafficking and domestic violence while working with survivors to transform their lives, and making mental illness an ordinary conversation so that people get the balance and help to live functioning lives.
Jazzie formed a salsa production company and used salsa dancing as a tool to teach safe interaction from violence against women /girls and the LGBT community. She is an Advocate for Youth-Spark.org & lobbied at the Georgia State Capital from February 2013-16 Against Sex Trafficking and supported Senator Renee Unterman in stronger laws against the predators, not the victims. She traveled and participated in international outreach in France and London with From Words 2 Action Outreach Ministries serving the homeless and Human Rights international sex trafficking conference held in Strasbourg, France in 2015. She was featured in a Documentary called “I’m Not Crazy by Sue Ryerson” and advocates for people to have equal rights and dignity with Mental Illness.
She passionately works with the community and covers historical moments & events with leaders like Roberta Abdul-Salom with Friends of Clayton Coalition & Minister Al Sharpton to increase voting registration and public transportation for MARTA to provide extended services into Clayton County, GA for the first time. Being in the room with great leaders during the renaming and street dedication of Martin Luther King Sr. in the city of Stockbridge, GA along with the King family and Civil Rights leaders. Covering the largest Women’s March in Atlanta in January 2017, walking alongside Congressman John Lewis and former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, and having traveling media passes to cover the former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, and Senator Bernie Sanders’s presidential campaign.
Keeping up with this woman is one that friends and family say is impossible, but Jazzie says she is a Kaleidoscope, just twist her movements to the color you want and there she will be, hopefully refusing to choose one gift over the other and changing lives.
Alright, 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?
A smooth road always has a few rocks along the way. It has been many days that I have made pain look good! As a creative with multi-dimensions of my enterprises, making it work has not been easy. I had to learn that I am a great leader and influencer but not always the best manager. That was shocking to me after taking a test during a conference for growth in leadership/management. I call myself a quarterback. I throw the ball of creativity, expecting teammates to catch it and run with the vision, and then I am ready for the next play (business idea or project). The challenge has come that strategic planning and management is a challenge for quarterbacks that just throw out great ideas and projects. Equally, finding the right team of people to support you and your vision, & carry it to fruition has been a huge challenge at times. When you expect people to be you and realize that it’s totally impossible it deflates you. So you have to find the inner strength to keep going no matter how many disappointments come along the way.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
SoJazzieHomeGirl Media Podcast.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I glean info from so many.
Contact Info:
- Website: SoJazzieHomeGirl.com
- Instagram: SoJazzieHomeGirl
- Facebook: SoJazzieHomeGirl Media & Podcast
- Linkedin: SoJazzieHomeGirl homegirl
- Youtube: SoJazzieHomeGirl
Image Credits
SoJazzieHomeGirl Media & Podcast
