We were lucky to catch up with Jackie A. recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jackie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

On January 6, 2025, I decided to resign from my corporate job, where I had been leading a team of 34 healthcare IT professionals and earning $180,000 a year. Fueled by my experiences with racial discrimination, this choice marked my bold leap away from corporate America, which had been my life for 17 years.

Embracing the unknown, I became an independent travel representative and launched my own travel business; despite having no prior experience in network marketing or the travel industry, I had a mission: build a workplace where my community would not endure racism and help them travel safely and affordably while empowering others to establish their successful travel businesses and build generational wealth. Today, I proudly stand alongside seven business partners, with discussions ongoing with over ten more potential partners. Drawing on my natural leadership skills, I am helping my team build their travel empires and breaking records in the process!

On March 3, 2025, I will launch Jackie’s Academy to equip my community with the tools and knowledge needed to build their own travel empires or pursue their chosen ventures while enhancing their skills. Taking this risk has transformed my life and allowed me to uplift others, fostering a much-needed sense of financial freedom within my community.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a racial justice visionary dedicated to educating and inspiring others in the fight for equity. I aim to empower individuals to discover their true potential and embrace their identities while dismantling systemic barriers.

As a natural-born leader and passionate public speaker, I firmly believe that knowledge is power. I am committed to fostering a world where true community thrives and the dominance of whiteness is challenged. I enjoy reading, immersing myself in music and horror movies, and connecting with nature in my free time. As an introvert, I value moments of reflection that inform my advocacy.

On March 3, 2025, I will launch Jackie’s Academy, a hub of Black empowerment focused on leadership development, project management coaching, and entrepreneurship. I aim to give my community the tools and strategies to build generational wealth. Through Jackie’s Academy, individuals can access free project management and leadership guides, virtual monthly structured reading sessions for children, credit-building courses, and public speaking workshops. Additionally, I will offer affordable one-on-one leadership coaching, marketing strategies, and project management sessions. I am particularly excited about the Highlighting Black Excellence section on my landing page, where I will feature Black entrepreneurs, helping them expand their reach and build their empires.

Jackie’s Academy will also offer transformative one-on-one sessions to support individuals in exploring and enhancing their anti-racism journeys. These sessions will change yearly and provide a safe, supportive space for self-reflection, dialogue, and actionable steps toward personal growth.

My Black identity is my source of pride and strength, and I am devoted to uplifting my community. Together, we can build a brighter future rooted in justice, inclusivity, empowerment, and financial freedom!

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

I met my business partner, Michelle, while working as a Portfolio Manager at my previous job. I brought her on board as a project manager despite her lack of prior experience in the healthcare IT applications we supported. From the beginning, I recognized her incredible potential and exceptional leadership qualities. Our professional relationship quickly grew into a deep bond, turning her from an employee into a sister and one of my biggest supporters.

Michelle’s unwavering belief in me fueled my courage to overcome my fears, leave corporate America, and launch my travel business. The strength, genuine heart, drive, and humor she brings to my life are invaluable.

Today, she is my business partner and mentor. I am immensely proud of everything she has achieved and excited about our journey.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the most profound lessons I’ve unlearned is the narrative that I am “angry” and “bossy.” From childhood, I internalized these harmful labels, believing they defined me. I was an angry, bossy Black girl who would never be a leader or have genuine friendships. That is what I believed. I accepted the hate I received as something I had to endure to achieve success. It took nearly my entire young adulthood to realize this wasn’t true. I wasn’t angry; I was passionate. I wasn’t bossy; I was a leader.

My entire world shifted once I unlearned these lies that had shaped my identity for so long. Embracing my true self has empowered me to lead confidently and authentically and has opened doors I never thought possible.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jackiesacademy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unapologetically_jackie?igsh=aDhyd3MzMGNwZHpp&utm_source=qr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-a-5595b261?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@jackie.a070?_t=ZP-8tRvqozxpXT&_r=1

Image Credits

Selina Godbout, Portraits in Nature Photographer