We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jakayla Bridges a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jakayla thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

One of my most meaningful projects turned into one of my greatest accomplishments. When I worked at Vincent high school, I just thought I was there to be an academic advocate for the students that I was working with, until I noticed the challenges that a lot of the children were facing outside of their school work. While speaking with a student about her financial concerns and idea blossomed to help her have the perfect prom experience for her senior year. As a makeup artist, I was able to provide free makeup services, but we did not have the money to get her a dress. We began reaching out to community members and teachers about possibly providing her a prom dress so that she would be able to go. We got a beautiful donation from her English teacher Ms. Koss. Creating such an awesome experience for that student showed me that I could help more people and that’s how Keeping the Khemistry bloomed. I began collecting formal wear donations for those who needed help with clothing for prom, homecoming, graduation, and job interviews.

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?

My name is Jakayla Bridges, and I am 24 years old. Makeup, skincare, poetry, and painting are just a few of my all-time favorite things. All of the hobbies I find myself indulged in, have helped me become a better person and manage my own mental health. I very much take pride in the outlets that I use to express myself to the world.

It all started because I needed a job and Ulta Beauty was hiring. I started as a cashier, but I was fascinated by the make up looks that my coworkers were doing on themselves. I began practicing on myself so that I could work in other areas around the store. It bothered that so many black people would come to me for help, and there wasn’t much that I could do. I began researching color theory and skin care so that I could help the customers that felt comfortable enough to come to me.

My first ever client was my auntie Danielle for her wedding. She literally forced me to do her make up but I’m so grateful because if it wasn’t for her pushing me, I would’ve never feel comfortable doing make up on anyone.

Makeup was still a passion but wasn’t bringing in an actual sustainable income. I began working at Vincent high school as a youth advocate. While working there, I met so many amazing students that reminded me so much of myself. It didn’t take me long to realize that I was in a position to help them or become a resource to them. I know how different life would’ve been for me, if I would’ve had someone that cared for my mental well-being and overall experience while I was in high school.

I began to think of all the ways that I can help with the skill sets that I have. My team and myself began working on things like poetry clubs and after school programs, but I knew there was still more I could do.

‘Keeping the Khemistry’ came about because I was dedicated to helping a student with her prom experience. Especially because I related to her so much with my own experience of prom and finances. She wasn’t able to afford all of the items she needed and I knew that I could provide free make up services, but I did not have the funding to get her a dress. So, I began asking local community members if they could help out. We were able to find her a dress and get her all of the items she needed to have the best possible experience. I was so proud of myself and I wanted to continue working with those who needed help.

My overall goal was to be the person that I know I needed when I was growing into adulthood. I had to understand that it was on us, the people of my generation, to help the young people growing under us. There’s so much more to our youth than attitudes and bad behavior. Everything stems from something more, and if we put in the work to help them, then we can really impact the lives of the youth in our communities.

As time continued, I started to collect, more formal wear so that I could cater to important events such as job interviews, graduation, senior photos, and homecoming. I strongly believe that if you look better, you feel better and when you feel better, you do better. Instilling confidence in our youth will help them to be better entrepreneurs and business professionals in the future. As a community resource, I aspire to connect the students with jobs, creative outlets, community organizations, art therapy, and other helpful services.

If there’s anything that I want someone to take away from this, is that they don’t have to do it alone, and there are people that want to help. We live in a world where struggling is overlooked and expected to be hidden away from the public eye, so we become hesitant to reach out and ask for help. It’s okay to admit that you need more, and I am committed to doing what I can to make things easier for you.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect is seeing it all to come together when it’s finished. It’s a beautiful sight and such a a relief. Creation can be exhausting, but as artist we push through it anyways because we know that our impact is important and we want the world to see what we have to offer.

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

My transition from being a youth advocate at Vincent to being a teacher at Next Door was very hard for me. I had been let go, because you are not allowed to look for other jobs while being a part of City year. Although, my job was in question and I had been told to look for another job because I did not want to get the Covid vaccine for religious reasons. I had been let go on such short notice that I hadn’t been able to save enough money to pay my rent for that next month, without any full confirmation that the job I was going into was going to hire me.

I spent everyday doing makeup to come up with the additional $300. One night in particular, I took a client at 10:30 PM the night before my rent would have been considered late. I took my money order to the office with tears in my eyes. I went home and slept for the entire day.

Two weeks later after passing the background check I began my full time training to be an EHS teacher. I didn’t know it at the time, but I would have to stop doing make up to fully engage myself and what I thought would be my career. I would randomly take clients on the weekends, but that was the only time I was doing anything that fulfilled my own purpose and passion.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @Keepingthekhemistry & @kayladakhemist
• Facebook: Kayla The Khemist Makeup Artistry

Image Credits
First 4 pictures are from ‘First Class Photography’ by Mbua Efange @fcphotographs by and makeup artistry by myself. Second set including a picture of myself are from Brianna Meshone @bybriannameshone on Instagram and makeup artistry by myself