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

Dorecia, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

The kindest thing anyone has ever done for me was when one of my actor’s bought me a mustard seed necklace. My mother used to tell me that it was very important to always try to have just a little bit of faith, even if it were the size of a mustard seed. And she used to make me wear a mustard seed necklace, but I lost the necklace after she was murdered. And one of my actors knew the story, and surprised me with a mustard seed necklace.

Dorecia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Thanksgiving 2004, my mother, Yolanda “Jeanenne” Ballard (YJB) was brutally murdered in Maywood, IL. She was raped and strangled to death. She was only 40 years old. The Maywood Police Dept. refused to investigate the murder, because of the neighborhood she was found in. Her case was turned into a cold case. We couldn’t get anyone to pay attention to her case. Since the murder, our lives haven’t been the same. I was 19 years old when my mother was murdered. I wouldn’t wish this amount of pain and torture on anyone. This wasn’t an acquaintance, friend, or a cousin. This was my mother. The very person who gave us life. My mother’s unsolved murder is something that affects me everyday of my life, but I know that I can’t give up hope; because if I do, that would only make it easier for the murderers, the Maywood Police Dept., and the community to forget. As the saying goes, “Out of sight, out of mind.” Somebody out there knows something. Someone who has information about the murder could possibly be paying attention to our efforts.

This was the main reason I started my company, YJB Talent. My company is named after my mother, Yolanda Jeanenne Ballard (YJB). My company, YJB Talent, is a full service talent agency in Atlanta that has been successful in booking professional actors on National Commercials, industrials, Print, Feature Films, & television shows on major networks such as ABC, NBC, STARZ, B.E.T., FX, Fox, Netflix, HBO & Showtime just to name a few. We work with countless casting directors who book our actors on television, film, and commercials. We have built such great relationships with major entertainment industry professionals. We’ve helped change the lives of so many performers.

We built our company from the ground up with no funding. My goal has always been to amplify my mother’s story and to keep her name alive, and not allow the murderers to forget her name. Because although we don’t know the murderers, we want to make sure that they know us. My biggest accomplishment is having over 200 actors proudly say my mother’s name when they walk into auditions, proudly wear her name on their clothing, and having people all over the country know and say my mother’s name. Our actors have helped us introduce my mother’s name and her case to the world. We have such a powerful purpose that we want to share with the world.

We integrate social impact as the core part of our business. We help the homeless community by donating funds, goods, and services to a homeless shelter in Atlanta. We raise awareness for different important social missions. We host community gatherings. We truly care about being present in the community.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I gave birth to my son when I was 17. I dropped out of college when I had him. My mother was brutally murdered when I was 19 years old. I didn’t know how I would be able to continue life without my mother. I was a teen mom, and I had no idea how to be a mother without my mother’s guidance and support. I had so many obstacles to overcome after my mother’s murder. There were times when I was homeless. I worked very hard to try to mentally, physically and financially survive. I turned my pain into passion, and I started my company. I started my company with no money. I wanted to demonstrate resilience to my children, and I wanted to show them how important it is to do something everyday that is conducive to their growth and success in life.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The lesson that I had to unlearn was that black women should always be strong. Being strong all the time has caused me suffering. I was always so focused on being strong, that I never learned how to be vulnerable. I never learned how to give myself grace. I learned that it’s important to allow myself to be a human, and to give myself grace. I learned to be kind to myself. This was very important to my mental health. I realized that making my mental health a priority was the only way I could be successful in life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yjbtalentatlanta.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/dorecia.yjb?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr