Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Jalea Jackson

We recently had the chance to connect with Jalea Jackson and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning Jalea, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Last year, I discovered my love for kayaking. I was looking for something new and potentially exciting that I could do to get out of the house more. My sister told me that she was going kayaking on the Hudson River, and because of our relationship, I thought, “Then I too shall go kayaking.” And I absolutely fell in love with it!

It’s something I do once a month in the summer, and I go with an organization that takes a group of people along the Chattahoochee River. Each trip is about 2-4 hours, and it is one of the most peaceful experiences. I leave my phone and am able to turn off my mind, unwind, and stay present in the moment.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Jalea Jackson, and I’m an Atlanta-based Editor, Producer, and Director dedicated to telling the stories that amplify the culture and authenticity of marginalized communities in the hopes of sparking conversation.

Our production company, Jalea Jackson Productions, believes in the power of film to not only speak to and communicate social issues but also humanize those issues that are often difficult to put into words. Our work is evidence of our mission. From narratives, documentaries, corporate videos, and other forms of media, we address topics of racial injustice, education, mental health and trauma, sexual assault, human rights, police brutality, and criminal injustice.

Our films don’t just tell stories; they stir emotions, challenge perspectives, and bring difficult conversations to light.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
My mom has always been a person who has been, and continues to be, in service to others and her community. That’s who she is, and that’s how she raised my sister and me. It could be something as simple as giving an orange to a man in the grocery line or having someone who was unhoused stay with us. It was her selflessness and care for others that shaped how I viewed the world and the type of work I wanted to make and am making today.

From the time I could walk and talk, my mom instilled in me the value of serving my community, and I saw firsthand the impact of that service on not only those I interacted with but also on myself. To this day, even after leaving my hometown of the Quad Cities at 18, I have so much love for my hometown and the help it had in shaping who I am today.

Soon, serving my community became less of something my mom “told” me to do and became a part of who I was. And, as I stepped into my own as a filmmaker, I began discovering ways to combine film and service. How could I use my work to advance and aid in the service of others?

In my senior year of high school, I produced and directed a short film to help raise money for a drop-in center for teens in my hometown. The film was coupled with a benefit concert, where I brought the entire community together to not only watch the documentary, but also raise additional funds for the center. I saw firsthand how my films could bring communities together to make actual, life-lasting change.

My senior year in college’s honors thesis documentary, which addressed the use of the “N-word”, was another opportunity for me to bring the community together for an engaging discussion on the topic. Professors, poets, artists, and community leaders throughout Louisiana came to this event to share their insight and perspectives with our audience.

Through my 1st produced short film “Things With Feathers”, which addresses the issue of sexual assault, I was invited to return to my hometown and speak at a Sexual Assault Awareness conference where we helped raise over $100K in aid for survivors.

Film, activism, and community service go hand in hand for my company and me, and I attribute this passion to my mother and my hometown and the values they instilled in me early on.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I wouldn’t say I was never hiding from my pain, but I did realize the power film had in telling my stories and the impact it had on my viewers who might have experienced very similar situations.

In 2016, I was a part of the inaugural Nate Parker Film Institution. One night, I heard one of the mentors telling another student, “If you’re sitting on a story you’re unwilling to share, then you’re being selfish.” From hearing that statement, I wrote, directed, and produced my first short film, “Things With Feathers.” “Things With Feathers” is a loosely based film of my life, dealing with sexual assault at the age of 10 years old.

From producing this film and traveling the film festival circuit, I saw the impact that telling your story has on your viewers. There was an alarming number of women who spoke with me after viewing the film to share their own stories of sexual assault. And for a lot of these women, seeing my film and publicly talking about my experience gave them agency to share their story and the comfort of knowing they were not alone.

My second and most recent film, “Blue Jaé”, which I wrote, directed, and produced in August of 2024, deals with the unexpected and tragic passing of my father to cancer, and then dealing with a breakup shortly after. This film looks at the weight of grief and heartbreak on an insufferable measure and what healing looks like.

Through both of my films, I saw firsthand the healing power they had on me, and how they provided healing, comfort, and acceptance for my viewers.

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. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say that I really value my relationships. First with Christ, and then everyone I care about and come in contact with, from family to friends and my son-son (my dog ha) Buddy!

I’m someone who values Effective, Open, Honest, and Authentic Communication. I see the value it has on my personal and professional relationships, and it’s a core trait I try to instill in all my interactions, no matter how difficult they might be.

I’m also passionate about the work that I do and the stories I have the privillege of telling. One of my coworkers often says, “If you want something done right, call Jalea.” I meet every project with tenacity, passion, and dedication. I will put every effort needed to make whatever I do the best it could be no matter the hardships and challenges.

To say it best, my sister Troy says, “the treasure and joy of family and newfound kinship, the pursuit of excellence and dedication in your craft; which in turn allows you to continue to uniquely tell stories in greater depths, and being committed to authenticity and being true to all dynamic facets of who you are!”

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
This is a great question because my name, who I am, what I do, and how I show up in certain spaces have always been important to me. And to date, they still very much are.

But over the last few years, through turning 30, losing my dad, granddaddy, and some close friends, I’ve truly begun to value those intangible and invaluable aspects of my life and who I am.

So, what would remain? The relationships that I have with my sister, whose my soulmate, my mom, and my grandmother, who, as my only remaining grandparent, is my most treasured person on this side of heaven. I have my closest friends who know me, see me, and support me on all fronts. All with a little song and humor.

And I have the essence of me, someone who God is still molding and shaping, but boy, does she look good! I am actively seeing my growth and how far I’ve come, and the person I am and how I show up in the world. I am not always get it right, and not everyone is going to like me. But know who I am and who I’m becoming, someone whose kind, compassionate, driven, humble, and genuine. And if everything is taken from me, I’ll still be that!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jaleajackson.com
• Instagram: thejaleajackson
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaleajackson/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheJaleaJackson/
• Other: https://vimeo.com/jaleajackson

Image Credits
Marge Scimeca
Quinton Thomas
Heather Casey Photography