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

Jameela, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

May 1 2018, me and my child arrived to Tucson after a 30 hour cross country drive from Detroit. We had never been here before, had no steady place to live, and no car. I just had to get out of Detroit so I took the chance of starting a new life here – simply bc there was nice weather. I was told that I shouldn’t be moving anywhere I don’t have family/friends, that it’s not safe for me and my daughter to be alone. The part is– I felt alone at home so that risk was one that I was willing to take. In less than 20 days from today, we will have been here for 4 full years. Since I got here, I have become a certified yoga instructor, holistic fertility doula and full-spectrum doula in training. I dove into art at the beginning of quarantine and that’s what got me this opportunity! In 2020 I became a member of Rooted Doula Collective and since then I’ve worked on projects/presentations with Desert Star Institute for Family Planning, Arizona Birthworkers of Color, NAMI Dekalb, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, DREAM School, and DreamYOU University. I have taken up horseback riding, hiking, painting – a few things I never imagined I would be saying. I am enrolled at PCC, deciding between an ethnic/gender studies and art concentration. I have found the courage to discover what work feeds my soul and I am surrounded by people who acknowledge the person I am working to become while encouraging me to take bigger, more calculated risks. Ones that I have yet to imagine for myself.

Jameela, 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?

I am Jameela Hill, born and raised in Detroit, MI. To the city that made me, love you forever for it… but I have never had second thoughts that it wasn’t my forever home. I moved to Tucson 4 years ago to start a new life. I’m an artist and full-time mother to my intuitive, funny, and fierce 10 year old daughter. After my daughter was born, I was motivated to do more than survive. I became a certified yoga instructor, certified holistic fertility doula, and I’m currently studying grief through my training to become a full-spectrum doula. As an adult, I transformed my violent childhood into an embodied space of safety. I create a safe haven in all of my interactions and artmaking.

I am a teaching artist at DREAM School’s KindeziCare youth programming where I lead movement through storytelling. I incorporate dreamwork into my art offerings, which continue to be both a bonding activity with my daughter and an outlet for navigating my depression/grief through discovering myself. I hold space for everyone to live with authenticity and joy. I am expanding my capacity as a culture bearer through DREAM School’s adult program.

I bring a holistic approach to my art practice by furthering my methods as a caregiver. Incorporating the art of caregiving into all I do allows me to make a difference in my community and be there for my child while modeling achievement amid difficult circumstances. I founded Jijivisha Holistic, a healthcare company combining my yoga and doula knowledge, to empower Black women in finding their purpose and cultivating healthy, affirming relationships. As a member of Rooted Doula Collective, I am dedicated to creating spaces for Black people to birth, learn, and parent in ways that resist the trauma of white supremacy, patriarchy, capitalism.

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

At the start of quarantine, like many others, I had to figure out a way to make money from home. I had completed my yoga teacher training the summer before while I worked full-time. As of Oct 2019, I had been doing worker’s comp in a call center setting. Majority of my positions prior had also been desk jobs. I was actually fired and had to figure out a way to pay bills immediately. I chose to do deliveries: doordash, instacart, shipt, postmates, grubhub, you name it – I did it. I worked long days but had the freedom to set my own hours. This started the evolution of my idea of what’s considered ‘work’. I got to spend more time with my child and I never missed another school assembly. Then COVID hit and I had to stop doing deliveries by March due to being exposed. Back at square one having to figure out how to pay bills immediately, I decided to join the droves of people transitioning to leading online classes. That lead to the birth of Jijivisha Holistic. I have since partnered with several organizations to facilitate educational and instructional multidisciplinary events. I never thought I would consider myself as an artist, I still worry I’m not creative enough to use that title but here’s to creating a world where we are good enough as we are!

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

Yes, one thousand times over! I would still choose to be a yoga instructor, artist, and doula – but I would add cosmetologist, choreographer/dance teacher, interior decorator, gardener, and massage therapist to that list. Most importantly, I would start much sooner! Life be life-ing and I had so much more zest and creativity when I was younger. I just didn’t have the direction I needed. I wish I had pursued my goals instead of what others encouraged me to do. I’m finding so much joy in doing things that I feel are of importance/ make a difference. I encourage everyone to follow your dreams, not those of your family/ peers. At the end of the day, you are the only one who has to live your life – and you’ll never please everyone. Focus on pleasing you!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jijivishaholistic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jijivishaholistic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JijivishaHolistic/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jijivisha-holistic/