We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jonathan Higgins, Ed.D. a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jonathan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
I can recall times in my prior work as a higher education professional where I would dream about where I am today. I would often think about the moments where people would stop me to thank me for my work, or mention my work in their work while saying that they are grateful that I have taken the time to do said work. The reality is – all of those dreams started with me taking a risk and reminding myself that while it might not work out, the best things in life happen when we believe that the risk is worth taking. Applying to jobs, programs, writing the script. Pitching the article and pitching my show idea has all happened with me taking the risk and saying to myself that a yes could in fact change my life. It in fact has and I want folks to know that while things might be nerving, almost always does the gains outweighs the risks.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I started doing my work because I never felt like *I* saw anyone in the media celebrating someone like myself. While there were a few shows back in 2015 talking about queer identity, none of them were talking about intersectionality or the struggles that come with finding joy in who you are. Thus, DoctorJonPaul was born as a way for me to be able to reclaim the joy that is being Black, fat & femme. From working with brands to remind them that there are BFF’s in the world to podcasting, the hope is to use my voice, my education and my lived as a way to encourage others to stand in their truth.
In terms of the things I am proud of – I am proud of existing in a time where the world is working overtime to eradicate marginalized/Black queer people. I am proud of my podcast being a place where others can come and find radical joy. I am happy that I have written over 150 articles that document the lives of Black queer people. I am thankful to the 100+ speaking engagements I have done and continue to do. In all, I am happy that I can be the person that my 16 year self needed.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I think using social media to create what I now have shows how resilient I am. When I left the field of education, I was literally paying my rent with credit cards. I was depleted emotionally, mentally and financially. But, I took to the social medias and continued to do outreach to remind folks how hungry I to get my name (and voice) out there.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Yes – frankly, I am more than the trauma that I experience in this life and my goal is to use my creative to display that.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.DoctorJonPaul,.com
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/DoctorJonPaul.com
- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DoctorJonPaul
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doctorjonpaul/
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/DoctorJonPaul.com
- Youtube: www.Youtube.com/DoctorJonPaul
Image Credits
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjLqeT0hriBAxXjOX0KHZ3cCP0QFnoECBYQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sequoiaemmanuelle.com%2F&usg=AOvVaw0U_gh3tDQV5MFwRBWg2iJU&opi=89978449