We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jan Jackson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jan below.

Alright, Jan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you have any thoughts about how to create a more inclusive workplace?

As a black professional woman with experience in education, community engagement, and media I know all too well the importance of creating and working in an inclusive workplace. My professional background includes building coalitions, providing wraparound support to students and families, creating opportunities for community ambassadorships, establishing strategic partnerships between communities and schools, producing media to promote initiatives, and planning corporate and community events.

Diversity in culture and perspective should not only be celebrated but leveraged to affect change in a positive way. So, members of any organization should frequently have a voice and be able to work on their strengths while partnering with their weaknesses for growth opportunities. Here at Bella Grind, I work hard not to suppress my own uniqueness or that of others because that’s the magical part of teamwork. My goal is to create an environment where we are not just committed to our team but also to ourselves. There will always be a sense of fulfillment and purpose that runs through the work we do.

Inclusion is how we foster productivity in our work, and it must be a priority. Learning from others that are different from us is how we grow. It’s needed to set the stage for belonging among members of a community. One of the best things I did was seek professional development opportunities for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging to become a better leader of myself and my team. I strongly recommend leaders across all industries do the same to add to their leadership toolboxes.  I learned inclusive habits such as how to increase creativity and greater engagement while promoting self-care and improvement amongst my team. One of our greatest poets, Maya Angelou, said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” We at Bella Grind stand firmly in this truth and will do our best to make everyone we encounter feel important and valued.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am the founder and creative director of the Bella Grind Brand based in Atlanta, GA. My mission is for black women to have a space where their voices will be elevated and their stories celebrated via the Bella Grind Podcast, other media platforms, inspirational apparel, and empowerment events. The Bella Grind Podcast and Magazine is a space for black women’s voices to be elevated and celebrated. The “SIMPLY JAN” Vlog captures a day in my life as a content creator as I share my daily grind while balancing family and friendships. Bella Grind Apparel is empowerment clothing with positive messages of self-love, awareness, and POWER. Fashion is a true form of expression, and this capsule is for the woman who lives out loud and stands boldly in her truth. Bella Grind Alliance is an outreach initiative to give back to others via signature events, service projects, mentoring, and speaking engagements. I’m also an educational leader and community leader in metro Atlanta known for my work with community engagement and wraparound support for educators, children, and families.

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

I’ve always believed I was designed for greater, and the Bella Grind Brand is how I push my purpose further. I’ve had many triumphs such as finishing two seasons of the podcast, and working on the third edition of the magazine. My clothing line debuted during New York Fashion Week in 2022 which was a huge accomplishment. But, I’ve also learned some hard lessons on this journey like hiring the right team, leveraging effective social media engagement strategies, and promoting and selling products for profit. I’ve invested a lot of time and missed some opportunities. Yet, I hold true to the belief that what is for me is for me. I face my fears daily, practice honesty with myself, and seek help when necessary. Win or lose…I won’t give up on myself.

Have you ever had to pivot?

There have been times when my professional life and purpose were misaligned. I’ve spent almost three decades in the field of education, but I had a strong urge to pivot and move into media and fashion. I created my own lane by launching the Bella Grind Brand which has allowed me to build my communication skills and dabble in fashion design which is a huge part of my self-expression.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bellagrind.com
• Instagram: @bella_grind_
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bellagrindtv5607

Image Credits
Skyy Wonders Photography http://www.skyywphotography.com