Check Out Ja’Siah C. Young’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ja’Siah C. Young.

Hi Ja’Siah C., it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Even as a 2-year-old, my love for creativity was evident. I excelled in writing- not novels, of course, just letters and select words- and could be found singing along to Sesame Street! By middle school, I was writing and casting plays and submitting them for competitions; however, I’d never considered writing and performing as a career option. So by freshman year of high school, I was taking law and justice courses, on the pathway to become a lawyer.
But one day my dad took me to see a show at Tri-Cities High School- an Atlanta-based school with notable alumni, known for its visual and performing arts program. I met with the director of the program, auditioned, and transferred the following school year. I immersed myself in the study of performance and filled my summers with programs and competitions.
I struggled with finding roles that fit and represented me well- without having to play a character of struggle. I mean, when’s the last time you saw a black girl be the lead of a movie as a pirate or a really cool spy? Or a whimsical princess who was young, black, and an ALTO? Unable to find roles that fit my vocal range and character type, I studied writing and script analysis much more, especially from an actor’s perspective, and continued creating my own material. But senior year came fast. By the time college application season came, I didn’t apply anywhere. I was convinced I wasn’t good enough to pursue the arts and instead settled with the idea of doing van life and writing as I traveled.
God had other plans.
About a month after graduation, different theatre companies began inviting me to auditions! I trusted God more and prayed that I’d work with and be invited to auditions at notable casting agencies and theatre companies. In less than a year, I was called in to audition for the Alliance Theatre, became a teaching artist there, and have been cast in a couple of their shows—we even have a picture on the wall! I also work with them to direct musicals for youth through a school in Atlanta!
Throughout this, I was consistently writing. With the money and connections I’d earned from performing, I began producing.
Today, my film production company- S.S.I. Productions- has an upcoming episodic short that we aim to produce and release as our first official project!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has certainly not been smooth. Oftentimes, being a leader and entrepreneur felt like war. There were times when I gave up on myself, telling myself no before anyone else could. Between wrestling with my mental health and my faith, losing meaningful friendships and connections, and limited funding, I was tested and stretched in ways I never thought possible.
Despite this, I don’t resent the rocky roads; I’m actually grateful for them. I think the challenges I’ve faced helped sharpen and build my character. As a result, what I film and create has become more intentional. I no longer create from a place of fear or trying to prove my worth.

Now, I create from purpose.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Admittedly, I’m more known for performing than I am for film(but that’s going to change very soon)!
I think one of the biggest things that sets me apart is my values; 2819 Church played a huge role in that. As a disciple of Christ, I try to lead with honor, integrity, and genuine care for those I work with. I want my attitude—and the rooms I lead—to be a breath of fresh air. A good friend of mine- Jordan Rice- always says we’re people before product. I agree.
I’m also committed to telling stories that reflect raw experiences and represent voices of those who feel unheard or overlooked. I try to peel back layers of complexities like grief, love(including God’s), familial issues, abandoment(physical and emotional), and so much more to safely open the doors of healing and hard conversations.
I don’t want to just create projects; I want to create rooms where people feel valued, loved, and safe enough to do their best work. That is the kind of leader and artist I’m committed to becoming.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I believe in grace more than luck. My dad taught me a long time ago that ‘A closed mouth doesn’t get fed.’ With a lot of the rooms that I’ve been blessed to be in, I’ve come to learn the importance of having faith, yes, but also stepping out in that faith and introducing myself to people.
Considering certain setbacks I’ve faced with my business, some would deem it bad luck. But wherever there was loss, I had beautiful gains. As God paved my paths, there were many times he placed the right people around me to support me. There were people on my team who showed up to help me edit a script at 2 a.m. because we had to film the next day. They believed in my vision when I was struggling to see it myself… Those people– my team—became invaluable. That dedication and intentionality wasn’t luck. That was love.

Pricing:

• $20,000 – goal/budget for our upcoming film!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasiah.young?utm_source=qr
• Other: https://gofund.me/561b50820

Image Credits
Ja’Siah C. Young and Josiah Watson. Photo by Greg Mooney.