An Inspired Chat with Jan Benjamin-Jackson

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Jan Benjamin-Jackson . Check out our conversation below.

Hi Jan, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
One of the proudest moments in my life was stepping back into singlehood and choosing to redefine my existence on my own terms. It was a season of rediscovery — one that required courage, vulnerability, and deep self-reflection. For the first time in a long time, I learned to love myself fully, without needing validation from anyone else. I embraced my independence, found peace in my solitude, and began to rebuild a version of myself rooted in confidence and authenticity. That journey of self-love and empowerment reminded me that sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is choose ourselves.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am the founder and creative director of the Bella Grind Brand based in Atlanta, GA. My mission is for black women to have a space where their voices will be elevated and their stories celebrated via the Bella Grind Podcast, other media platforms, inspirational apparel, and empowerment events. The Bella Grind Podcast and Magazine is a space for black women’s voices to be elevated and celebrated. Bella Grind Apparel is empowerment clothing with positive messages of self-love, awareness, and POWER. Fashion is a true form of expression, and this capsule is for the woman who lives out loud and stands boldly in her truth. Bella Grind Alliance is an outreach initiative to give back to others via signature events, service projects, mentoring, and speaking engagements.
I’m also an educational leader and community leader in metro Atlanta known for my work with community engagement and wraparound support for educators, children, and families.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
Fear has served its purpose in my life, but it’s time to release its grip. For as long as I can remember, fear has been a constant companion — whispering doubts, fueling anxiety, and convincing me to shrink when I was meant to stand tall. While a healthy amount of fear can protect and guide us, being consumed by it has limited me since childhood, shaping how I show up in the world and what I believe I deserve. I’m learning now that letting go of fear doesn’t mean ignoring it; it means acknowledging its lessons, thanking it for its protection, and choosing courage anyway. This is the season where I no longer let fear lead — I’m reclaiming my peace, my confidence, and my freedom to simply be.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering teaches lessons that success never could. It strips away illusions, exposing our deepest truths and revealing the strength we didn’t know we had. While success can make us feel accomplished, suffering humbles us and builds our character. It teaches patience, empathy, and resilience — the kind of growth that only comes from enduring pain and still choosing to rise. Through suffering, we learn to appreciate joy more deeply, to value connection more sincerely, and to understand that true strength isn’t found in comfort, but in perseverance. Pain can be one of the greatest sources of power when we learn to transform it instead of letting it define us. Every wound carries wisdom, and every setback holds the potential for strength. When we channel our pain into purpose, it becomes fuel — driving us to grow, to create, and to rise higher than before. Using pain as power means refusing to let our struggles break us; instead, we let them build us into something stronger, wiser, and more unstoppable.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
For many years, the public version of me hasn’t been the real me. I’ve been moving through the world as a broken and wounded woman, wearing strength as armor while hiding my pain behind smiles and accomplishments. I’ve realized that I’ve spent so much time being who I thought I needed to be that I lost touch with who I truly am. Now, I’m on a journey to rediscover myself — to learn my genuine likes and interests, to understand my disappointments and fears, and to uncover what truly motivates me. This season of self-exploration isn’t about becoming someone new; it’s about finally meeting the woman I’ve always been beneath the layers.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What false labels are you still carrying?
For many years, the public version of me hasn’t been the real me. I’ve been moving through the world as a broken and wounded woman, wearing strength as armor while hiding my pain behind smiles and accomplishments. I’ve realized that I’ve spent so much time being who I thought I needed to be that I lost touch with who I truly am. Now, I’m on a journey to rediscover myself — to learn my genuine likes and interests, to understand my disappointments and fears, and to uncover what truly motivates me. This season of self-exploration isn’t about becoming someone new; it’s about finally meeting the woman I’ve always been beneath the layers.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bellagrind.com
• Instagram: @bella_grind_
• Youtube: Bella Grind TV

Image Credits
Skyy Wonders Photography