Meet Jada Clark | Dancer, Singer, Actress

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jada Clark and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jada, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I have always had the mentality to give my all to each task or project no matter who or how many people may be watching. I think this practice has contributed immensely to the quality of work I create and is one of the main reasons my work resonates with other people. I have also made it a point to be open to what success looks like for me. Rather than set narrow expectations of myself, I strive to stay busy and working on my craft/brand in anyway that I can. Even the seemingly smaller opportunities are forward motion and are getting me one step closer to where I want to be.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have had the extreme privilege to hit the ground running in terms of my professional career, so that is something I am the most proud of. Dance is and will always be my first true love, but I am excited for the upcoming projects and opportunities that showcase my other identities as a creative. I’ve been able to sing more, model, and get more into acting as well. It feels scary, but amazing to feel like a beginner again and remember I am still young and eyes haven’t seen and ears haven’t heard all that lies ahead for me.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Anyone who knows me knows that I am a coffee shop girlie!! So naturally we would grab a coffee to get our day started. Typically I am a Dunkin’ girl, but if I am feeling fancy we’d go to Manhattanville Coffee in Harlem for the best lattes and immaculate vibes or Ground Central in Midtown. I love a good thrift so we’d go to Buffalo exchange downtown or maybe even venture to Brooklyn. If it’s sunny, Central Park is a must, any part will do but Sheap’s Meadow is my favorite spot to go with friends. For lunch we’d go to El coco for an empanada and a happy hour marg. Then we’d finish out the night at the best dinner spot in the city, San Marzano’s. They have the best pasta ever and walking through the lower east side at night makes me feel like I’m living my New Yorker fantasy.

Honorable mention: Seaport, in FiDi

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I wouldn’t be the dancer I am today without my first dance teacher Stephanie Powell. She shaped me at the very beginning and I am grateful for her influence. She taught me a lot about professionalism, dedication, and creative license at a very young age. If you were going to be in a Stephanie Powell piece not only were you going to be doing technical phrase work, you knew the odds of you having a moment to improv was likely. This was always nerve wrecking and at times awkward as a young developing artist. However, being allowed and expected to explore my own movement and make choices at an early age has shaped my individuality and has allowed me to cultivate that skill without me knowing. Ms. Stephanie was someone who was harder on me because I knew she expected more from me. Her constant encouragement and guidance is something I will never be able to repay, but I know I am a part of her legacy along with the many other young black dancers she has helped shape and nurture into the professional dance world,

Instagram: @_jadatron

Youtube: @jadasimoneclark

Other: TikTok: @_its.jaduh

Image Credits
Jenna Maslechko Michelle Ye Lisa Kuznetsova