JESS’ 4 PILLARS
Being a multidisciplinary creative and human has at times been challenging for Jess. Constantly feeling like they had to choose one or the other – whether it was writing, music, organising, producing events and more, they always felt like they were torn between worlds.
Over the last few years, they discovered they don’t in fact have to choose – they can just change their focus from what they DO to what THEY ARE ABOUT.
That’s how Jess came up with the four pillars.
These 4 pillars are their measuring stick, their barometer so to speak. Any work that comes their way – whether it is producing a large scale event or consulting a small start up, writing a piece for a publication or speaking on a panel, it all has to pass through these pillars and cover at least two of them.
Only then will Jess consider taking the job.
Jess says, that it’s been an incredibly rewarding experience for them, as they can now confidently say that any work they do is deeply fulfilling – regardless of how big or small the job.
SOCIAL CHANGE
Jess is a firm believer that we don’t have to live in the world as it is today. Humanity can be better than this. We must be and do better.
Racial justice and anti-racism work are at the very centre of who they are. Jess is committed to contributing to systemic change as well as the healing work needed within our Black Communities.
As a queer, neurodivergent person, they are also deeply passionate about gender equality and protecting and advancing LGBTQIA+ rights, specifically through an intersectional lens.
Lastly, they believe that social mobility should be a given in our societies – where you come from and what you look like should never determine where you can go in life.
Sadly, our world is not (yet) set up in a way that is true to that.
Jess runs anti-racism workshops, hosts events for Black creatives, speaks at events and on panels to shed light on the above, works with organisations who do the work and is active behind the scenes to contribute to the change we need to see.
MENTAL HEALTH & WELL-BEING
Having had their own journey with mental ill health Jesss is committed to passing mental health tools on to their own communities and the next generation, raising awareness about mental health and advocating for making appropriate mental health services accessible to all.
This includes advocating for culturally appropriate therapists, addressing systemic issues in the current mental health services in regards to racism, homophobia, transphobia and all other forms of discrimination, as well as challenging the stigma about mental health issues in our own communities.
As someone living with depression and anxiety, they are deeply passionate about prevention as well as addressing the systems and structures that lead to disproportionately bad outcomes for people from historically excluded groups.
Jess shares their own journey and learnings in writing, by hosting workshops, speaking on panels and more.
THE ARTS
Jess believes that the arts are a powerful tool for change.
They are convinced that music, theatre, film, the written word and all the other disciplines have powerful ways of impacting humanity on a personal and societal level.
Their own journey with the arts - from singing in bands and choirs since they were a teenager, to running a performing arts school for young people from underserved communities, to producing shorts and documentaries and so much more, Jess can confidently say that music and art saved their life.
Wherever Jess can support organisations that use art to make a difference, help create access to art for young people from historically excluded backgrounds and help curate content using the different mediums available to us, they are there!
FAITH & SPIRITUALITY
Last but certainly not least, Jess is a spiritual person and their ever changing and evolving faith and spiritual practice has been at the core of their life story.
While it mainly expresses itself in some of their writing as well as their personal life, she wouldn’t be where she is without it and believes that a returning to spiritual practice in a culturally informed, decolonised manner is crucial for the work of social change.
Where appropriate and requested they are happy to feed this into their work.
Please reach out if you would like to find out more.