Today we’d like to introduce you to Jade Jackson.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jade. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve always been a bright personality as kid. I’m small, but my spirit’s big. I was adopted by two loving parents who kept me grounded in our faith. It all started in elementary school when my librarian thought I could anchor our broadcast morning announcements. I was in 4th grade but the gag was, only 6th graders were allowed to anchor. He saw something within me to put me on air, and it left a major impression with teachers and staff. People remembered me as the funny TV girl. During a PTA meeting, my librarian pressed my parents to do something with my talent, but they were so use to my hilarious antics so they didn’t think too much about it. In middle school, Barack Obama was running for President. I remember watching the CNN documentary, “Black In America,” hosted by Soledad O’Brien. I was glued to the television screen. My parents and I were so hype leading up to the premiere but they weren’t as interested by the time the documentary was complete as I was. I loved how the stories of black people were being told from perspectives never seen before. It gave African Americans of various backgrounds a voice for their own experience. The way Soledad hosted as the TV journalist stuck with me. Fast forward to high school where I’m doing the newspaper and our weekly television show. That’s where the work ethic started for me. “No running in the halls!” should have been my yearbook quote, because I was known for running around the school for the latest scoop. I loved telling a good story, and as I’m venturing into my last semester of college, all of the opportunities, internships and work I’ve had and done so far.. it’s surreal.
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 has not been a smooth road. I took the path of journalism so seriously during undergrad. I knew I wanted the experience of being in an actual newsroom so I never let what I didn’t have stop me. I didn’t have a car when I interned at CBS 11. I would wake up at 3:00 a.m. just to be ready by 5:00 a.m. and walk across town to make it to the only bus stop available to get to Fort Worth by 6:10 a.m. The commute was an hour and a half long. When I finally got to downtown Fort Worth, I’d uber to my internship since it was against the highway.. I know, that’s a lot. It was dedication that kept me going. I’ve influenced so many others along the way, because of my resilience to do what needed to be done. My nickname, “Jade The Great,” meant a lot to a lot of different people, just because they saw how I struggled to get to where I am now. It still hasn’t been a smooth road even with numerous amounts of support. Try being shunned from your local school chapter of NABJ, because of jealousy for your drive, but somehow your ambitions have you going to your first national conference on the elections board with the national president. Life is funny that way. I’ve had professors tell me that this isn’t really my “thing,” and that I should think about switching majors. Now the conversations with me have shifted to bringing me back for alumni events or banquets to speak at in the future. To go from being doubted and gossiped about by the same publication or station I’d work for to being pushed to the front because my work speaks for itself brings that hustle and grind full circle. I remember crying and feeling like I needed to be accepted by all of these people in order to be successful. The greatest lesson I’ve learned is to go where you are appreciated, not tolerated and that actions speak louder than words. I was willing to do what people who had the cars or the mentors or the professional support didn’t, which was never letting any little inconvenience stop me from telling a story.
What should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
So I have my own entrepreneurial niche for journalism. It’s starting off with a t-shirt line sure, but it’s for a good cause in helping students at underfunded schools lacking journalistic resources gain experience at conferences or networking opportunities. I specialize in all things news. I’ve written a book for journo students that will serve as an educational guide. I teach you, what J-school doesn’t. Eventually I want to create an affordable e-course online as well. I’m proud of the lives I’m changing and how they’re going off into the world prepared for the work ahead. Beyond that, @JournalistaJade is bringing a fresh perspective to news reporting. “Keeping It Reel,” is a show produced for digital platforms to give tips and tricks for student journalists. My “Reel Wear” series is also to inspire reporter fashion on any budget. People see my successes so far and as Jade The Great, I want others to find their greatness too. Here’s the gag, we all have stories, and no one story is greater or lesser than another. I have what I have, because I work hard and do my due diligence. It can take a lot to get here, but it’s as simple as answering this one question: “Do you really want it?” I want @JournalistaJade to inspire and motivate not only student journalists, but for any student in any major. There’s a lot of key takeaways for any young professional to adhere to when they stumble upon my platforms. I’m very excited to share.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Wow… The proudest!? Man.. Hold on, I really have to think about that. I’ve had so many amazing moments for myself. I’ve broken stories in small little Denton, TX that have gone on to be national headlines at major publications and networks. I’ve snagged exclusive interviews with celebrities and public figures. I’ve literally woken up from a nap and ran out the door when people in the community were tagging me and sending me DM’s about events happening. It’s also because of them that I could go get those updates super fast to keep them informed. People trust me, because I’ve built a trust with the community I’ve covered these last few years…but.. My proudest moment so far? I covered my first murder story. I’d never been taught how to deal with grieving families or friends of victims in school, but I knew how to be human. As unethical as it is for a journalist to do this… I prayed. I prayed with them and I prayed for them. In doing so, I was able to give them something that they can always look back on to remember their loved one. I didn’t look at it like, this is going to be a really great story for my reel because of the elements. I had stopped worrying so much about recording different angles at one point to truly be present with these REAL people sitting right in front of me. Journalists can get so caught up in doing story after story that it’s easy for us to forget: We do this everyday, whereas the stories we tell of others is there for a lifetime. So knowing that I told a story that can be cherished beyond when I’m long gone has been my proudest moment.
Pricing:
- Journalism: Spilling Tea Professionally Tee’s ($15.00)
- The Reel Report by: Jade Jackson ($12.99)
- My e-course online for student journalists will be ($30.00)
Contact Info:
- Website: JadeJacksonOnline.com
- Email: me@JadeJacksonOnline.com
- Instagram: JournalistaJade
- Facebook: JournalistaJade
- Twitter: JournalistaJade
Image Credit:
Daniel Ebonwonyi (SobaPictures)
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas 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.
