We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jacinta White a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jacinta, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you get your first job in the field that you practice in today?
I fell into facilitating poetry writing workshops. I was working in a leadership position in Atlanta and attended a meeting that was held at a community center. Towards the end of that meeting, participants were led on a tour of the center. While on that tour the director was sharing the programs offered to you: sports, visual arts, etc. but he didn’t mention literary arts. I asked about that and he responded, “Why don’t you come up with something?” So I did and met with him a few weeks later to present poetry writing workshops for youth. During that meeting with him and the program director, he asked what I would charge. This was 2000 or 2001 and I said “$25.” I was actually not thinking of getting paid but said the first number that came to mind. He looked at his program manager and said, “That’s a steal.” I was so green! He also told me to come up with a name and later I shared with him “The Word Project.” That summer, I worked with youth, leading them in self-expression through poetry. I also began working with other community centers and schools while on my lunch break or after work. Eventually, I knew this was want I wanted to do “full time” and quit my leadership position and moved to NC to be closer to my family and to fulfill my dream of broadening The Word Project. Today, I work with those of all ages and situations, using poetry and art as catalysts to self-discovery and healing.
Jacinta, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My work is multi-faceted. As a poet, facilitator, and founder of The Word Project, for more than 20 years now I work with individuals and groups, using poetry and art to assist in their self-discovery, team building, and/or healing. I learned early on the healing power of poetry and have been fortunate to study with renowned poetry therapists such as John Fox and Sherri Reiter. Under The Word Project is the publication Snapdragon: A Journal of Art & Healing. Through that, we publish poetry, creative nonfiction and photography — with a bent on healing — from those around the world.
As a leadership development facilitator, coach, and founder of Deeper Dive Consulting, I have the pleasure of assisting individuals and groups with their professional (and often personal) aspirations. I began the leadership facilitation 10 years ago and continue to find that work enriching as well.
Whether I am doing something through The Word Project or Deeper Dive Consulting I do it with healing and wellbeing as my core and my work’s core value.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Give more than what’s asked or required! Seems in many industries today that many provide the bare minimum. I believe one thing that sets me apart is my professionalism and wanting to satisfy the needs of others. I like to go beyond the basics. It’s not that I extend myself too far where I am then burnt out or disgruntled. Instead, I put my best foot forward by deeply listening to the client’s needs and attempting to treat them as my only client. I want to be there for them with honest support. A good majority of those I work with are pleasantly surprised by the results. I tell them that it’s not me — they are the ones who did the work — but I know the value I bring is being there to provide structure and support for their end goal. This is my philosophy whether I am working with The Word Project or Deeper Dive Consulting.
If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?
I believe I choose this work because it chose me and that my journey was as it had to be for me to be here. Would I have loved to have chosen this path before all the money I spent getting an MPA? Yes! But I would not have had the job I had when I met the director of the community center. If I had not met him, perhaps I would not have started The Word Project when I did. If I had not moved back to NC to focus on my writing and work, I would not have made the decision to get a part-time job with a leadership organization which eventually led me to getting my certifications as a corporate trainer and coach. If I hadn’t done that, I wouldn’t have started Deeper Dive Consulting. All that to say I believe my life flows as it’s meant. It would have been easier, perhaps, if I knew earlier on that “this” was what I wanted to do, but at the same time I would not have had the experiences that I am able to bring into the room which helps me with empathy and connection.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.jacintawhite.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jacintavwhite
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacintavwhite/
- Other: You can find links to my businesses through JacintaWhite.com but if you want those pages directly they are: poetryheals.com and deeperdiveconsulting.com