We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Okeeba Jubalo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Okeeba, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

My name is Okeeba Jubalo, from birth. I did not leave North Charleston, South Carolina, and go out in the world to find my blackness. I brought it with me to Atlanta as a fresh-faced college student in 1993. Honestly, my life was and is one big risk. I am a black man, and on top of that, I am a black man who is a professional creative who doesn’t work for a corporation. The risks are nonstop.

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

For over two decades I served as an Atlanta based advocate for artists of all disciplines. Never one to shy away from any challenges or speaking truth to power, I developed a steady voice of transparency and credibility within Atlanta’s Arts scene and beyond.
As a multidisciplinary artist, business visionary and curator, this was a natural progression in my matriculation process of becoming a world-class gallerist. The focus of giving Fine Artists of African descent a stable platform to showcase and monetize their crafts was the driving force for creating our gallery.

I am somewhat of a Swiss Army knife on steroids. Executive Creative Director; Gallerist; Fine Artist; Musician; Spoken Word Artist; Graphic Designer; Advocate for Artists; Educator; Mentor; Film Maker… Honestly, it is easier to go to www.OkeebaTheMayor.com to get a healthy serving of what I have done.

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

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Working on your customer service skills and providing a great product are important as an entrepreneur. I would also recommend that you build your own database and distribute regular e-magazines. Take your narrative into your own hands. Do not rely on other parties to tell your story. You should control your image, sounds, and words. It isn’t easy, but I know it works.

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

Honestly, I have pushed through this process for so long that resilience is a byproduct of not having any other choices. When you have to make a good play, you have to make a good play. Raising my two daughters as a full-time dad and being a husband, brother, uncle, and son requires so much. I have more titles than hours in a day. I have a professional team and family who depend on me to make solid decisions every time I make one. Imagine living in a world where every decision has to be the right one. Every time I touch the ball, I have to score. Imagine that.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.OkeebaTheMayor.com