We recently connected with Jenelle Parrish and have shared our conversation below.

Jenelle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?

I want my legacy to be a reflection of my ancestors, my upbringing, and, most importantly, my words. Whether it’s the words I speak or the words I write, I’ve always been very proud of where I came from and never ashamed of my past. I share those stories as a way of releasing and healing. Anyone who reads my work will feel that. That’s most important to me.

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.

I’m a Midwest-born and Brooklyn-based creative writer with stories ranging from personal essays to op-eds and listicles. My experience started in the fashion industry and lifestyle before transitioning to my type of storytelling. I like to consider my pieces as love letters for black women. Aside from writing, I have a passion for community-based work in program development and coordination.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Hearing no! I started freelance writing back when all it took was contacting a publication with little to no experience, and they’d give you a shot. But, of course, that wasn’t the case for every situation, so, from the beginning, it was very important to me to have thick skin because I knew no matter how talented I thought I was, not everyone would give me a yes. In time, combined with life experiences, this only strengthened my resilience.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The little girl and teenage me are who I am doing this for. I hold my younger self very close to my heart, and I want to make sure that I make those past versions of myself proud. What inspires me most is my potential to beat the odds.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jenelleparrish.contently.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenellethewriter/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenelle-parrish-a9707390/