Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Joykenia Hill. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Joykenia, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I started writing when I was 8 years old. It started off as poetry. As the years went by, I’d watch a lot of TV and movies. After I watched them, I’d have all these crazy ideas in my head. I would reflect back on the television show or movie I watched, and then I started writing my own stories. With such an extraordinary imagination, I was filled with so many ideas. By the time I was 14, I started participating in the church activities. We would have small skits and short plays during particular seasons. In the beginning, I always became very nervous. I was so afraid to get up in front of large crowds. In school, I took a creative writing class. We had an assignment where we had to create a short story. It was part of an English Assignment. As a small child, I wrote about everything so I knew this wouldn’t be a problem for me. When the assignment was complete, we had to share our stories with a group of peers. When my classmates read my stories, they were impressed. They gave me so many compliments, showed so much interest in my story and they encouraged me about how talented I was. After that day, I started to write more. There were a lot of issues going on in my personal life at home. I would lock myself in my room and write those things in my diary. Then I would take what I felt and create stories. I would imagine being someone else living a life better than the one I experienced. After writing my first book at 14, I was amazed when I read back over my work. I sat down and shared my story with my baby brother and mom. The way their eyes lit up when I read the story and the encouragement they gave me afterward made me feel like it was something I could do forever. I began to write more. Every book I wrote, I shared with my family and peers. When an idea came, I picked up my pen and began to write. It was as if once I started, I couldn’t stop until the story reached an end. That was the moment I realized I wanted to become a writer. As I got older, I began to write stage plays. I created characters and drew up story lines. Each story had a lesson. Within every stage play I wrote, was a character going through something that I’d been through. When I hit the stage as an Actor, those stories came to life. When I stepped into character, I stepped into who they were. Every emotion, every pain, I could express it. That was when I knew that I wanted to become an Actor professionally. The more the audience applauded, the more my supporters encouraged me, the more I believed in myself. I realized I had a gift to share with the world. I also realized I could use my gift to inspire, encourage, change lives and heal others.

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 began writing at the age of 8, and became passionate about acting at the age of 14. Raised in the church, I started ministry as a young child in Liturgical Praise Dance, Drama, and Choir within the youth departments. At the age of 12, enrolled as a 6th grader at Oak Park Elementary in Laurel, Ms. I was selected Class Valedictorian where I wrote my first public Poem titled “Tomorrow Depends on Today” for the entire student body and graduating class. I began participating in National Poetry Competitions, drama workshops, acting competitions, modeling events, photo shoots and church programs sharing my gifts with the world. No matter what obstacles, circumstances, situations, or tribulations I faced, I remained determined to pursue every dream God had given me as a little child. If you asked me what I wanted to be, my goal never changed. “I want to be a Writer and Actress who God uses to help change the world with my gifts. Through my story and through my work, other lives will be changed and inspired because of mine”.

I have been a resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast since 1997. I am a Moss Point High School 2001 Honor Graduate, Phi Theta Kappa Member, Double Honor Graduate of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC-Gautier) where I was named Who’s Who Among American Junior College Students and inducted into the MGCCC Hall of Fame upon graduation in May 2004. I also graduated Summa Cum Laude from Purdue University Global in 2019. I have been a current student at the Los Angeles Film School (LA Film) since February 2025, where I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Writing for Film & Television online. I have worked in Theater Production since 2013. My previous works include “A Touch of Faith” (2014), “Behind Closed Doors” (2014), “A Cry For Help” (2015), “Through the Pain” Stage Play (2017), “Through the Pain” Movie (2017), “It Ain’t What It Look Like” (2018), and “Behind Closed Doors 2” (2019). I have also worked in Film/Television as a Background Actor, working on several major films/television series in Louisiana and Mississippi. I trained professionally at Launch Model & Talent in Metairie, LA, where I attended Industry Network (Los Angeles,CA) with the Academy and received 4 First Place Awards/Medals and was named Best Female Actor of the Year in January 2018. Outside of Acting, I work as an Educator currently employed with the Pascagoula-Gautier School District known as Ms. Hill, Permanent Substitute at Gautier High School. I am also the proud mother of 7 children Jahkeyston (JJ/Jay) Reddix, Derek Reddix Jr, Jadarius Reddix, Zahara Williams, Zy’Onna Williams, Zakai Williams and D’Lahnie (Lahnie Belle) Johnson.

Lady J Productions was established in September of 2013. The purpose of my company is to help aspiring writers and actors with an interest in the Film or Theater Industry and/or improve their skills, talent, and ability as a Writer, Artist or Performer. Lady J Productions is a Faith-based owned and operated business. All stage plays are inspirational with a powerful message that leads back to Christ, and the amazing things HE can do. They are full of drama, and although very entertaining, the number one goal is to minister Hope to the audience. My desire and passion as a Christian Playwright and Actress is to touch lives, bring about change, spread the love of God, and draw others to Christ through my work. I also desire to help others who share the same passion to reach their own career goals and dreams of becoming an Actor or Writer themselves. As a full time Mother, Writer, and Actress; I continue to work toward my own dream of becoming someone who helps change the world. I also continue to work as Mentor to several of my Actors at Lady J Productions. Lady J Productions now offers classes and training for Acting, Writing, Stage Play Production & Development and Liturgical Dance. I also offer Mentorship for children and teenagers ages 4 to 18. Lady J Productions is always looking for Writers, Actors, Production Staff, Floor, Stage and Background Crew to join our team.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I remember the very first time I went to a big audition in Los Angeles. I was living in Mississippi. My oldest 3 boys were just small children. Now they are 22, 20 and 18. I took so much time memorizing scripts, training diligently to prepare for the auditions. I took class after class, and spent numerous hours several days a week trying to “perfect” my performance. I truly thought I would be ready. The upcoming auditions were huge. I was one of the “talent” that would be showcasing my gift. There were about 50 agents also present at the event looking to sign new talent. This was what I had dreamed about for my entire life. We spent an entire weekend (Thursday to Sunday) auditioning. Our families were also allowed to attend on the day of the auditions. We had to walk onto a stage where a panel of agents sat at a table staring at us. The audience was full of family members of all the talent there. There had to be at least 300 people in the room. I was so nervous. When I took the stage, I struggled during one of my auditions. The audience didn’t know, but I did. When I left the stage that day, I was disappointed. Everyone kept encouraging me, and I tried to smile. Deep down inside, I knew that I hadn’t done my best. When callback day came, I was heartbroken to discover that I did not receive one that day. I went out into the foyer of the hotel and broke down. I cried so hard and broke down so bad, that other people joined my mother in trying to comfort me. My mother embraced me that day and told me to look into her eyes. She asked if I felt what was in my heart, and could I explain it. I told her all I could feel was pain. My heart was shattered. At that moment, I felt like I just wasn’t good enough. She told me to remember that feeling and those tears because I would never feel them again. I’ll admit that after that day, I wanted to give up. I was so discouraged. The dream that I had was a passion, and I couldn’t see myself giving up without a fight. So I spent years of writing, professional training, and perfecting my craft. I was determined to make sure that I accomplished my childhood dream no matter what it took. I went back to LA in 2018 with Launch Model and Talent for the Industry Network. My goal was that whenever I left a room while I was there, they would always remember me. I remember receiving standing ovations and applause after every audition. That year, I won first place in every category and Actor of the Year. I also received 4 callbacks. I signed with my very first agent in January of 2018 after 21 years of pursuing my dream. My mom and I cried together that day. It was such a priceless moment. This time we cried tears of joy. Since that day, my life and the passion I have for my career has never been the same.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

As a creative force, I thrive on the freedom to explore multiple dimensions, both visually and through written words. By merging visual and written elements, I have the ability to weave a vibrant form of self-expression. This passion attracts like-minded visionaries, and together, we co-create a dynamic blueprint that our actors bring to life. Embracing my artistic potential, I seize every opportunity to unleash my creativity, channeling my talent to breathe life into every written page and inspire positive transformation. Another rewarding aspect of being creative is having the sense of personal fulfillment and satisfaction that comes from bringing new ideas to life, expressing myself authentically and experiencing the joy of the creative process itself. Through art, I can tap into my unique voice, sharing inspiring thoughts, emotions and perspectives that uplift and connect with others, fostering a deeper sense of community, compassion, and understanding.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joy_ladyj_williams
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joyhillwilliams/
• Other: Email: [email protected]