Today we’d like to introduce you to Jayla Jackson.
Hi Jayla, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My first encounter with social justice was in the Lyricist Lounge, also known as Mrs. Barnes’s classroom, at the Ron Clark Academy in the 5th grade. She is who I refer to now as my mother poet because she introduced me to my first love, slam poetry. She taught my class the importance and history of social discourse through rhythm and rhyme all while achieving every Georgia English Common Core standard. I cannot thank her enough. It was there I found my passion for society and the arts. I went on to become a member of the Harvard Diversity Project, a satellite program of Harvard College, where I learned how to debate under the mentorship of Brandon Fleming and Kellye Britton. That summer, I became one half of the first black girl duo to win Harvard’s International Debate Program as a sophomore. The unprecedented win ushered in a new season of my life and career. On the same day as the win, I began doing interviews. I have now been featured on ABC, NBC, Good Morning America, FOX 5, V-103, 11 Alive, and others.
In addition, I received so much support on social media from people such as Viola Davis, DL Hughley, Angela Rye, Beyoncé, and many more. About a month after the win in August, I did my first independent public speaking gig at the March on For Voting Rights in Atlanta, GA, and articles and interviews came with that as well. I have now spoken for Cocoa-Cola, Warner Media, Southern Black Girls Consortium, the 3% Project, Future Coalition, and Harvard Institute of Politics, and have worked for The Harvard Diversity Project, VOX ATL, ATL Word Works, and HYPE +. Larger than the consistent work, I was given recognition for my recent ventures as one of Teen Vogue’s Top 21 Under 21, an honoree in Microsoft’s Virtual Black History Museum, and presented with a proclamation from Fulton County Commissioner, Natalie Hall, acclaiming September 17th as Jayla Jackson, and Emani Stanton Atlanta Great Debaters Day. And most recently, I was named the 2022 Atlanta Youth Poet Laurate. That is my bio. But what got me here today was The Ron Clark Academy, The Harvard Diversity Project, Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School, my mom, dad, grandparents, my four siblings, my friends, and most of all God.
Being accomplished was a team effort and team goal and I am beyond thankful for all those who stuck beside me through some really rough nights and days. My village and my spirituality are why I am.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In the speech I delivered at the 72nd International Women’s Convention I say, “You would never know some of the things that I have been through, and that’s God y’all.” Nothing comes easy and in my life, there have been moments that could have made my demise instead of my ascension. At a very young age, I became a victim of child molestation. The emotional trauma and turmoil I experienced haunted me for the majority of my middle and high school career. I developed depression, PTSD, anxiety, trust issues, and all-around shame in my story. Despite this, I was able to achieve many things, but I never truly began enjoying my blessings until I allowed God to reach me in the parts of myself I learned to hate. For so long, I worked hard to add value to what I perceived to be a broken person. I am so glad that I now know the value of brokenness. Every shard I became works as a medium for the mosaic I am today and that fact alone is why I work. My work is for little girls and little boys who have seen similar darkness and for our children who will never see it because of our work. My work is about healing. I operate as the co-founder and Vice-President of Conversations Productions where we pride ourselves on sparking conversations and opportunities for healing in everyday households. My healing process has taught me so much and it is all authentically showcased in my most recent project “A Splash of Color” a book of poems releasing soon. The book sets out to show and share the things, ideas, and people, that have helped keep me alive and happy.
As you know, we’re big fans of Conversations Productions. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Conversations Productions is a black-owned and youth-run production company based in Atlanta, GA. It was started in the minds of Jayla Jackson and Zayla Bryant, local scholars and young professionals. What started as an IGTV skit idea quickly turned into a mini-series for my partner and me. Both of us are diligent scholars and have a passion for philosophy and specifically, “asking the right questions”. There is so much that has yet to be said, there is so much we wish we could have said or that someone would have said to us, but without effective communication, all of that is lost. So, we began researching all forms of communication and let our naturally creative edge take the wheel. Conversations Productions declares to produce, curate, and inspire media that is thought-provoking and inclusive. Through prompting audiences with central questions and themes, we aspire to open household discourse on a range of perspectives that are often dismissed.
This past February Conversations released their freshman film, a poetry short film, Conversations Presents: This is Love. The story follows two college students tasked with defining love through a case study. The two read the journal entries of a woman named Justice and begin on a journey through infatuation, doubt, lust, love, heartbreak, and healing. In conclusion, the girls learn the importance of self-love rather than romantic. The film features a title song written and produced by co-founder Zayla Bryant, and Julie Dexter, a successful British jazz musician. The film has accumulated close to 5,000 views and has awarded Conversations opportunities like partnerships that will access more aspiring youth. The film is currently available and circulating on Instagram and Youtube. Ad during the summer, we created and shot our second film titled Wash Day, set to release on August 27th.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
The most important lesson I learned from the pandemic is the importance of passion. When you find a deep passion for something, you ultimately find your purpose for everything. But being an active participant in your purpose and passion is tiring. There are hurdles along the way to get there, there’s the constant need for reassurance that “you can do this”, and then there’s just the plain old burnout. Everyone grows tiresome of work, especially when it becomes sterile. Even the deepest of passions can become dull but it’s the source of rejuvenation that makes all the difference. The pandemic functioned as a source of pain for many and a source of dullness. The only way for us to stay stable in an ever-changing world is through love and passion.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jaylajackson.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/thejaylajackson?utm_medium=copy_link
