We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jaleel “JaRich” Ritchwood Jordan . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jaleel “JaRich” below.
Jaleel “JaRich”, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I knew I wanted to be both a music artist and a teacher very early on in life. Elementary school early. I was raised and taught by professionals in the same field and it ignited something in me very early. My very first music teacher, Michelle Montero, at 14th Avenue School in Newark, NJ was the first person to realize I had the gift of singing and she nurtured that gift, and gave me opportunity to sing professionally outside of the school walls by the time I was in 1st grade. What started off as doing scales and musical warm ups during music class turned into a love for an art I didn’t even know I had a gift for, although it didn’t come as a surprise to many, especially my paternal grandmother, because music was her full time gig as she was a professional church singer and organist who had trained her ten children to sing and that’s what they did all through New Jersey and the Essex County area calling themselves, The Ritchwood Singers back in the late 1960s through the 1970s and early 80s. Music was in my blood. It’s in my DNA. But, it was through these means and my first music teacher that made me even want to become teacher or to work in education. My teachers all throughout my educational journey have all in somewhat way encouraged me and supported me outside of the classroom and took part in my overall development, character and well being. They had very personable moments with me, and I wanted to be that kind of person to others (children) as I grew up and to help build the whole child, and not just based on societal or educational terms. I was able to soar because of those relationships and I want my students to do the same, knowing someone is routing for them all the way.
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.
My name is Jaleel “JaRich” Ritchwood Jordan. I am from Newark, NJ and currently living in Dallas, Texas. I am a music artist, a singer to be exact and I have been singing since the age of five. I grew up in the Pentecostal church and outside of my first music teacher at 14th Avenue School in Newark, that is where most of my trainings came from along with my paternal grandmother, Barbara Ritchwood Hill. I am also currently an educator in Dallas, Texas and have been in education for the last 11 years. I’ve been everything from a teachers aide, a one on one aide, a substitute teacher and a full time teacher. I’ve worked with all children from pre-k all the way to high school. I am a community activist and a non profit founder (Victim to Victor Outreach). I am a 2023 recipient of the Joe Biden’s Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as, an honorary doctorate recipient through Harvest Christian University in Dallas for my work within education and in the community. Outside of these honors, I’ve also been honored by both local, state and national government for my works. I was a recent guest on the final season of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where I was interviewed by Stephen “Twitch” Boss (RIP) and awarded a 10,000 check for my work in the Newark community and through my former mentoring program, Boys to Men, housed out of Marion P. Thomas Charter High school in Newark in which I cofounded in 2021 and ran as an extra curricular activity until my departure in 2022.
What sets me apart from others in my field and in the work I do as a musician and an educator is the ability to put a smile on faces. No matter the race or socioeconomic status of a person. I have the ability to tap into the sides of people that makes them comfortable to be their authentic selves, and that’s what I deem to be my superpower; to be able to reach a person because you take time out to notice them, not because of who they are or what they can offer but actually see them for them and then speak power and life to that spirit. Anything that I do but especially singing, I make sure that I give 100% of myself every time! Even when I’m half voiced or not doing well! It’s that affect and the willpower to keep going, to keep pushing that I try to leave my audiences with every time. I want people to leave my shows and/or presence and feel enlightened. To feel good even when things aren’t good and to look up even when things seems as if you should be walking around with your head down! I want people to feel joy through my work! I want them to experience God!
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the encounters you make every day. Someone noticing you at the market or on the street or being shocked to know that it’s really you somewhere once they meet you or see you out in public. It feels good to hear people acknowledge your works or to praise it, especially since I do it to make people feel good! What happens to be a form of release to and for me being a release for someone else is a feeling indescribable. To know that my feelings, my words, the emotions I convey through singing and music has touched someone or gave someone the push they needed to chase after goals and dreams is the most satisfying, gratifying and humbling experience ever and I’ll never take it for granted.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Society can support artists and creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem by continuing to support our initiatives. Download the content, stream it, subscribe, and share! Buy tickets to shows, buy merch and just spread the word on any new music/releases or things the artist/creative is doing. In a world where social media is king, these measures of support will benefit artists and creatives greatly. I will also tell artists and creatives too, though, to ensure that you are providing quality. Always know your audience and stick to what works for you! Reinvent yourself and always grow in your field but always remain true to what got you the attention of your fan base/audience/supporters in the first place.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @jarichofficial
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jrritchwoodjordan?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Twitter: https://x.com/officialjarich?s=21&t=-ixj51DnbZg_KTgfoktMgQ
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jarichofficial?si=fisGZ_6HDdQ1aY4v
Image Credits
1.ShotbyJazzmin 2. Brianna McKenith 3. Charles Mitchell