Today we’d like to introduce you to Jai’ Johnson.
Jai’, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
While in college, I started having a passion for event management while studying creative writing and public relations. As time went on, I found myself blessed with opportunities many would only dream to have, so I took those moments and started blazing a trail for myself that couldn’t be denied.
After graduating from the University of Central Arkansas in the fall of 2015 like most recent graduates I was searching for a salary based job, that’s when I landed a job at HP. The job wasn’t what I wanted to do by far, I wasn’t even using my degree, but I was grateful to be employed. Shortly after being with the company for two months, my department was let go. Uncertain and unstable, I had no job, and for months, I depended on the blessings of family and friends to get me by.
July was rolling around, and my cousin mentioned that I should apply for a brand ambassadorship doing Marketing at the Essence Festival. Depressed and not motivated, I consulted with my close friends about their input because they knew I was broke, but this was an opportunity for me to not only make money but connections (it pays to have good people around you). What my cousin failed to mention to me was that the marketing was for the debut of Oprah’s show “ Queen Sugar.“ This was a once in a lifetime chance for me, so I took all $75 of my unemployment check and my friend, and I went to New Orleans. We were blessed by his grandmother, who paid for the hotel stay and the rest was on us.
So, we arrive at Essence ready to work, and they let us know that we probably wouldn’t get the opportunity to meet anyone of importance but to strive for a great weekend. Me being me I started to think “ Hell nah, I didn’t come this far to not meet her.” By the end of the first day, we had brought so much attention to the brand she wanted to meet the entire team.
So, we meet Oprah and get the chance to work all screenings and red carpet the entire weekend. Oprah was just as great in person as she had appeared on television. Being at these events gave me a glimpse of my future being in rooms with not only icons but millionaires, game-changers. God was showing me a future to work towards and that it was possible if I reach up and went for it.
God will truly bring you from the pit to the palace.
The events went on and just to make this short I met so many influential people that weekend but my conversations with Roland Martin, Kandi and Oprah follow me to this day. They told me that they would see me in a few years and it would be on television, and they weren’t sure in what capacity in so many words.
After leaving Essence broke but in repair physically and mentally, I rebirth an idea God gave me when I was in college, and that was to start my very own TALK SHOW! NOT podcast but TALK SHOW!
From there, two of my best friends Jacqueline Moragne who owns her own Public Relations Agency JBM & Associates and May Gayden, who is a comedian on the rise birthed The Melanin Pot.
The Melanin Pot is a talk show for millennials and people of color, spreading light on hot topics, issues within the community, music, and entrepreneurship.
The platform is important to not only show millennials in a positive manner but to also give black-owned business and artist a way to get their products out there.
There are so many successful people in the world and there would be more if those in influence and power used it to build up the community rather than leach off of it. It’s our responsibility to make sure we all eat and as a whole, we have had full plates with things we will never do and won’t even pass them
along to someone else who could actually benefit. So, that narrative stops with us.
We are in our third year, and this year you will see many changes from the look, set up, and even location, especially since I moved to Atlanta, Georgia last year to push our vision forward.
We’re excited about what’s next for us three in ALL capacities in and out of the show. Be on the lookout for The Melanin Pot we are taking over tv, red carpet and events. #GetAScoop
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. For years, I wanted to leave Arkansas, and as I mentioned before, having depression after graduating is common amongst recent grads.
Not to mention starting a business and not being rich and having to fund everything isn’t easy, but I’m dedicated to the task, right? Lol.
I also struggled with being happy in Arkansas. I’m originally from North Little Rock, Arkansas. A place filled with talent but not so many opportunities. I found myself out of town frequently just to do small gigs that I could never do in my home state, so I knew it was time to go. Sometimes you don’t realize you have wings until you fall out the nest.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I’m a man of many hats. I’m the founder of the dopest talk show, The Melanin Pot. Follow us on all social media platforms at @TheMelaninPot.
I also do public relations in which I specialize in event management, social media engagement, and image consulting.
I’m also the manager of the largest sip and paint in the US right now called Exotic Paintings. Follow us on IG (@Exotic.Paintings)
You can also catch me working with some of your favorite artists in the industry as well. The grind doesn’t stop I’m a mogul in the making baby.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I believe that I’m on my way to a life of long term success simply because of who I was destined to be and how I decided to answer the call. I’ve always had personality and wisdom (Thank God, haha) but with those things comes a responsibility to things higher than yourself. Many of us believe that our success is only for us and about us when, in reality, we are the smallest thing in the equation.
I’ve learned to live my life out loud and embrace my uniqueness this I couldn’t have done without my mother, Linda Perry and my group of amazing friends who are closer to me than family. Having a village that supports you is important. Doesn’t mean you all will always agree, but you all will love which will withstand any disagreement.
Last thing I want to say is that I’m who I am today because I embrace each season I’m in, no matter if it’s cloudy or sunny because I learned to stay in peace and not pieces. You have to come to the table ready to eat but also ready to severe a few recipes. You’re either eating or getting ate baby.
To anyone out there looking for the desire to keep going know that you have what it takes to be successful. It’s hard because we don’t always feel loved and supported like we think we should. But know that you’re enough and your talent is undeniable so keep showing up, keep posting, make essential moves towards your destiny because it awaits YOU!
Contact Info:
- Phone: 5012479965
- Email: Berryjohnsonjr@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/jais_anatomy?igshid=1hksnppewxzpy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/588155895/posts/10156122205395896?s=588155895&sfns=mo
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition, please let us know here.
