Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Avis Jackson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Avis, appreciate you joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

I was raised by a Single Mom, I am the youngest of five. What she did right was teaching me at an early age how to stay centered and have purpose. As I got older, I began to learn and was told, just how much she went through, and how physically and emotionally abusive situations that happened in her life from a little girl to a wife and mother was a tragedy that she turned into a light that she chose to shine for us her children. She taught us to not let the things that happen to us, define who we are as an individual. Everyone who knew her inner spirit, understood that she gave you positive GODly advice that if you tap in, you knew that when you walked away from her council, you grew stronger and stronger each day. As a musician, quartet singer and minister of music for multiple churches, her 9-5 job as a janitor of a school, was how she took care of us. We saw her as our hard working super-mom, she never allowed us to think that we couldn’t do something. She always asked what we wanted to do and helped us get there. I miss her! She transitioned in 2019, and I can honestly say my journey, has been one that I have entered into with confidence and skill. My hope is that I leave a legacy, for my daughters, the way she did for me!

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 am the CEO/Owner of AYJ Entertainment, we are an Event Management & Operations company providing ancillary mobile and on-site services as an extension to our clients. We provide services within the sector and industries associated with government and community entities, corporate, private and nonprofit organizations. We strategically guide Live Music & Entertainment events, Special Community Cultural projects, and Theater Productions from concept to execution. We secure talent for our client’s events, our most recent acquisition we arranged, Dr. Iyanla Vanzant, Esq. and Judge Penny B. Reynolds,(Candidate for Georgia Secretary of State), as guest speakers for my clients, Lady Lawyers Masterminds, an enriching experience designed for female legal professionals event schedule twice a year in the spring (April) and fall (Sept). I am an Executive Board member and Atlanta Network Director of NABFEME, the National Association of Black Female Executives in Music and Entertainment. We are a vibrant and culturally diverse community of female executives who specialize in various sectors of the entertainment industry. Our mission is clear: To advance the female agenda of education, equity, inclusion, and equality for women in entertainment. As network Director in Atlanta, with scheduled networking mixers, mentorship and internship opportunities, educational workshops and discussion panels, artists showcases and performance partnerships we are looking to connect with women business owners who are looking to join a sisterhood community who motivate, encourage and inspire each other to strategically expand your business in the industry.

“What I am most proud of is my decision to commit to a Bachelor of Science in Sports, Entertainment and Events Management from Johnson & Wales University, it is driven by my unwavering dedication to ongoing learning and skill enhancement and staying on top of the ever changing entertainment industry. The main things I want potential clients, followers and fans to know about me is that my daughters Sydney, a graduate of RMCAD with a BA in animation is a Motion Graphics genius and Rachael, a student of Georgia State University studying Psychology, with a background in film production, theater/dance and fashion, are current members of NABFEME Amplified, the voice of our youth movement, and they both will launch their creative businesses in 2026 !

What I want people to know about my work is that I also work with nonprofit organization who assist the veterans in our communities. As a retired military spouse, and care for my disabled husband, I am passionate and a strong advocate for the Military & Veteran communities. I work with multiple nonprofit organizations in assisting veterans with everyday needs.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Leaving the 9-5 work force was a time when I had to pivot in my career. While I had created AYJ in 2006 it took me several years of working in my field of hospitality, parks and recreation, concerts and live events entertainment, before leaving that 50 hour a week work force and focused on my personal health and business growth. I trademarked my business in 2023 and continue to establish a solid brand that is preparing to launch an extension to my platform. After taking multiple SBA networking courses and connecting with mentors, using my connections from the nonprofit organizations I am working with, I have established a presence within the event management and entertainment industry..

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

In business, you can not “help” everyone. While offering free advice can be a beneficial strategy, especially at the start of your business, it’s important to balance goodwill with sustainability to ensure business longevity. I had to unlearn answering the phone each time it rings and saying “Yes” to everyone on the other end. I found myself spending hours and hours of research and creating proposals and reports for everyone else, as a grant writer, but would not put that time and energy to help my business get the same funding. While it sounds really crazy now, I truly wanted to help my friends’ nonprofits with their missions, but my business cash flow was at a stand still the whole time. The number of hours spent working on their projects, left mine on the back burner. But to keep the lights on, businesses need a dependable revenue stream. Free services do not contribute to cash flow. Also your business is perceived as less valuable, it consumes resources, time, labor and materials. Without revenue, it is hard to invest in your own growth. So the lesson learned, while noble, helping can also harm your bottom line. So I’ve learned to ask up front, what is your budget? The moment I did that, I landed my first government RFP as an official government contractor.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ayjentertainmentllc.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avisjacksonllc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avis.y.jackson
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avisyjackson/
• Other: https://www.nabfeme.org/atlanta/

Image Credits
AYJ Entertainment LLC/Avis Y. Jackson , Owner/CEO
Lady Lawyer Mastermind/South Atlanta Injury Lawyers
The Flint River Community Center/Black Box Theater
NAEROC Productions
The Steve Harvey Foundation
NABFEME/Atlanta Johnnie Walker, Founder