We recently connected with Mrly Jade and have shared our conversation below.

Mrly, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I’ve never been happier. I absolutely love this journey of being a creative artist & event curator. I’d take the good, bad, and the ugly because my spirit would yearn for the creativity of life if I chose to pursue regular job opportunities. There’s so much beauty and magic in creativity that it could never equate to a “regular job” in my opinion. Getting a regular job has definitely been a thought, but that thought has only ever come up out of fear, when I have moments of doubt & uncertainty within myself, or in moments where I think the stability would/could be best for the people in my life. I’m grateful to be on this creative path, and my love and desire to connect the world using these gifts/talents outweigh the fear and uncertainty every time! So whenever I feel like I’m in that fearful space, I remind myself of why I do this, and I lean on my support systems that see the potential of my creative visions.

Mrly, 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?

Well for starters… Hi! I’m Mrly Jade. My first name is pronounced like “Marley”. I was born in New Jersey, I’m first generation American, and my family is primarily from Jamaica.

I am one of the many artists/creatives in my family, so growing up, I was unintentionally inspired to connect with my creative spirit, talents and skills. I’ve always been someone who loves to dream and think outside the box. Since I was about 6-8 years old, I knew that I wanted a life/career where I could build and create things that I and other people would enjoy. However, at that age, I didn’t have much family support due to the main focus being my parents’ divorce. That alone made it difficult to persue artistry in a way that could unlock my creative potential. Yet, as I got older, I always tried to follow the path that felt most fulfilling to that desire, and it landed me here.

I’m a singer, songwriter, painter/crafter, event curator, entrepreneur, and so much more… I went to school for sound engineering and film, I graphic design, and I play in a lot of other creative arenas.

I own a business called Unlocked Artistry, which focuses on supporting creative artists and entrepreneurs on their journeys to success (whatever that may look like for them). I also own Mrly Entertainment; an arts and entertainment business that focuses on the different creative mediums that I, myself, am involve in, one of which is “Girls on Gyals”.

Girls on Gyals Ent is the area of my business that focuses on curating safe and enjoyable spaces for women: Particularly queer people/women of color here in South Florida. Building this community and brand have been my primary focus for the last two years. I originally jumped into this industry because I’ve lived in South Florida for many years, and I had realized that I had very minimal amounts of lesbian/bisexual friends or even acquaintances, nor did I know where to find any spaces where they look like me.

So one day, I chose to make a flyer for my first meet up “for women loving women”, and put it on Eventbrite in November/December of 2021 and have the event in January of 2022. That’s honestly how I got started, and it’s been my focus ever since. I currently have a residency at Coa Bar & Grill in Oakland Park, Florida when I host about 2-3 monthly events. “The Basement” which is a party exclusively for women, “Sweet Spot” which is a themed party where all lgbtq+ people and allies are welcome, “Gays & Games” which is a random pop-up game night. The meet and greet, which is now called “The Link-Up” still happens monthly and is coming up on its 2 year anniversary come January 2024. My goal is to create as many spaces as possible for us, as well as inspire other women and people to attend & create/promote their own version of what community looks like for them and other like-minded people.

Other than hosting & organizing events, I also make music, sell my original art work, and offer various services to people all over, from graphic design to home organization to social media marketing. This year thus far, I’ve taken a break from music as well as other mediums and do plan to release new works in 2024.

It’s really important to me to inspire people, to support people, to bring people together and to bring people joy and fulfillment. I’m proud of the fact that I am able and continuing to find ways to do just that.

One thing that I always want to leave people with is to remind them of their significance. Without people, my events don’t succeed. Without people, there’s no one to experience the art and creativity that I and others have to share. Without people, there’s no one to experience the beauties of life. People are the energy, people are the vibe, and each person brings something special to the space and to this thing we call life. Each and every person on this planet is so significant, and I hope that through all the things I am able to do in this lifetime, each thing is a reminder of how special each person is.

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

The most rewarding aspects of being a creative are the moments when what’s in my head and heart come to life. One of my favorite parts about creating is envisioning something in my head, or feeling it in my spirit and being able to turn it into something that I can share with the people around me. Another rewarding aspect is simply being able to share it with people. There is a sense of one-ness that happens when someone else finds value in what another person has created from their heart. There’s so much beauty in it that is almost inexplainable, and those are the moments I live for.

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

My mission is to spread as much beauty as possible. I’m not too attached to how that looks other than wanting it to be fulfilling, fun, and creative. I want to provide the world with all things that are an example of love, light, radiance, joy, excitement, adventure, uncertainty, surprise, family, community, healing, growth, and expansion.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mrlyentertainment.com
• Instagram: @mrlyjade | @mrlyent | @girlsongyals.ent
• Facebook: MRLY & Girls on Gyals Ent. (Mrly Entertainment)
• Twitter: @mrlyjade
• TikTok: @mrlyjade @mrlyent

Image Credits
Ace Shot That A Duane G. Visual FaceLift