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

Alright, Nakia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

The first time I knew I wanted to pursue my creative/artistic path professionally was right after I did my first school program/workshop with The Poetry Matters Project. I was made the Team Coordinator and our goal was to work with Alternative school students with low test scores and uplift them using the power of poetry. At the time I had no idea what I signed up for, but I was excited and up for the challenge. The initial team coordinator had accepted another position working for a big company, so I decided to step forward and give my best shot. I had to learn a lot, such as dealing with team dynamics, making lesson plans and handling conflicts. Alongside me was artists: Vanessa ‘The Most Elevated Deepness’, Chashawna ‘Passoniate’ Wesby, Ms. Nora who was the school’s librarian and of course the founder of the nonprofit Ms. Lucinda Clark as well as other guest artists in the community. We went in everyday for about two hours and worked in the library one on one with the children teaching them basic poetry skills that focused on comprehension and understanding. As we formed bonds with these students it quickly became bigger than test scores to me but more so about the children breaking away from their pain, guilt, and sorrow. I know when I grew up it was many challenging times but some of these kids have seen friends and families die, became the sole provider for their families and/or never been outside their neighborhood let alone the state. So, we started working with the kids to write and format their own poems to express themselves and learn how to move forward with these emotions. By the end of the semester each student could not only write several poems, but they could also recite and perform in front of an audience. The greatest impact to me was the impression we made on the children. These children have been through a lot, and seeing these children truly express themselves changed my life forever. At the end of the year assembly, we gifted all the children we worked with a book with their original poems in it and the students had a big performance in front of the school, their parents and some school board members. Not only did each student raise above and beyond their test scores, but their behavior also changed and their grades. Each child we worked with returned back to their neighborhood schools the following year. Changes were made in each child, and I received testimonies from some of the parents about how we changed their lives but little did they know they changed mine too. That’s the day I realized my purpose and I knew this next generation needed me and the power of poetry. It was very clear that I wanted to pursue this professionally.

Nakia, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a Multifaceted Artist because I do Poetry, Dance, Creative Writing Workshops, Motivational Speaking and so much more.

Writing has always been close to my heart and became my way of explaining how I felt through poems and short stories at a young age. In adulthood, I was hit with a rough time being just out of the Army due to injury, college not working out the way I thought and not knowing exactly what to do next. I started thinking of how I could change my course and get back to thinking positive. That’s when I embarked on my spiritual journey and got deeper involved in poetry. It was the day before my 22nd birthday, I believe, and we went to an open mic. That night my best friend encouraged me to get on the stage. I felt so free for those few moments and even though I was super nervous, I knew I wanted to do it again. So I went back again and again, and we started performing at different venues and really getting to know the community. I work closely with the community giving opportunities to the youth, my peers, and veterans. I became involved with motivational speaking showing people that you can go beyond your situation you might find yourself stuck in and you are bigger than your own backyard. Since 2016, I have been coordinating my own events so artists could have an opportunity to showcase their talents and feel appreciated. I have also been featured in music videos, flash mobs, and shows as a hip-hop/freestyle dancer. Dancing was something I used to always get made fun of for doing so, I never thought it would be a part of my creative works. Being a part of a dance crew called Twisted Elementz Krew is a big accomplishment to me. I used to imitate the moves from the movie ‘Breakin’, ‘Michael Jackson; ‘Destiny Child’ as well as several boy bands and biopics/musicals. I have performed in festivals and headlined in poetry scenes  from Georgia to Philadelphia as well as been featured in  interviews online and on the radio. I am also a part of an artist collective called D.N.A (Dope Nu Artist).
The thing I am most proud of is the same thing I have always been proud of, which is having the ability and power to impact and make a difference in so many people’s lives.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One thing I had to unlearn was getting approval from others. I think a lot of us, especially Young Adults seek approval from our parents and/or family and peers. We have a need to make other people proud. I had to let that go. I had to start living for me and figure out what I wanted to do with my life on my own.
I was told all my life I was going to be a teacher or a nurse, so I tried going the medical route and when that didn’t work, I left college for a long time. Many people were upset with me, my mother, my friends but, I had to figure out what it was that I truly wanted to do. If it wasn’t for me taking my time and relearning myself truly, I don’t know if I would have ever started my creative passions. When I started doing only solely poetry and my creative works not many people were supportive nor understood me. Many people doubted me and the ability to make money, but I kept pushing and did what made me happy. I have had a very successful journey that is steady growing because I took that leap to live my life for me and not what other people saw me as. I have become more open in speaking my mind and believing in myself.

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

My goal is to have my own community center that’s focused on the creative arts. Each student can’t be a basketball star or football player, but every student can learn how to express themselves. I want children to be able to work on and pursue their natural talents in performing, music, poetry, dancing, producing and so much more. I want children to be excited to live life and feel motivated every step of the way. Not getting into trouble because they are bored or have to find ways to feed their family. My community center will be open to all interested and be staffed with motivators to help push the youth forward. With the Community Center events will be put on and organized by me and would give the youth opportunities to travel and perform, broadening their horizons and teaching them that anything is possible.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/nakia_jade
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nakia_jade/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/NakiaEmpressJade/
• Other: https://teespring.com/stores/nakia-jade-merch