Meet Jai Harris

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

Hi Jai, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Because art saved my life.

I grew up in an environment where chaos and loss were familiar. I was raised by my grandmother, a strong and wise woman who did everything she could to protect us. But even with her love, I often felt like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders.

I did not always have the words to express what I was going through, but I had poetry. I had stories. I had a camera. Art became my escape and my therapy. It gave me a way to process pain and transform it into purpose.
I started filming in high school and quickly realized that storytelling was more than an outlet. It was a calling. It helped me find my identity and gave me the courage to pursue something greater than my circumstances.

I was the first in my family to leave Colorado for college. I faced real challenges in film school, including racism and resistance to the stories I wanted to tell. But I kept going. I went on to build a career producing for major networks like MTV, BET, OWN, Lifetime, and many more. I have told stories that reflect real people and real lives, because I know how powerful it is to be seen and heard.

Now, through Free Royalty Academy, I help others do the same. I use everything I have learned to teach and empower people from all walks of life to share their stories. I pursued an artistic career because it gave me life. And now, I use it to help others find their voice, heal, and create their own legacy.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Nothing about my journey has been easy. But every challenge has helped shape the creative and businesswoman I am today. We built Free Royalty from the ground up. It started as a personal mission and has grown into a full-service content development firm, production company, management service, and educational platform. We develop original content, tell powerful stories, and provide the tools and knowledge for others to do the same.

I come from a place where the odds were against me. I turned to art as a way to survive. Storytelling became my outlet, my passion, and eventually my career. I pursued film and television and faced real obstacles, including racism in school and gatekeeping in the industry. But I pushed through. I worked hard, stayed focused, and eventually earned opportunities with major networks like VH1, Travel Channel, Lifetime, MTV, BET, OWN, Discovery, and more.

Within just six months of launching our original projects under Free Royalty, we were able to secure two development and shopping deals with a major production company. That moment affirmed what I always believed. When you combine purpose with perseverance, the right doors begin to open.

We currently have a web series titled Products of the Plan streaming on YouTube. It explores the systemic effects of the crack epidemic and the rise of gang culture in the 1990s and how those forces continue to shape our communities today. We also have a powerful new documentary called Have Mercy coming soon. It follows the story of a man fighting for clemency while working to break generational curses. These are the kinds of stories that deserve to be told, and we are honored to give them a platform.

Now my team and I run Free Royalty as a creative home for dreamers and doers. Our long-term goal is to open Free Royalty Academy in the Inland Empire in California. In the meantime, we are already hosting traveling academies and master classes for children and adults. We believe education should be accessible and creative excellence should be shared.

There were moments I felt like giving up. There were closed doors, betrayals, and roadblocks. But I stayed committed. I continued to write, direct, produce, and build. I believed in what Free Royalty could become.

What I want the world to know is that this brand is rooted in purpose. We are here to elevate unheard voices and create meaningful, lasting impact. Free Royalty is about healing, empowerment, and legacy. I am living proof that where you start does not define where you will go. With passion, vision, and persistence, you can transform your story and help others do the same.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting for a week, I would make sure they experienced a perfect mix of culture, creativity, good vibes, and even better food.

We would kick off the weekend in Downtown Los Angeles with a visit to Issa Rae’s spot LOST in the heart of the city. It is the perfect space to feel inspired, listen to good music and soak up the energy of the area.

Sunday nights, we would head out to Ontario and spend a night at Misty’s Lounge. If you want to dance, hear live music, and be surrounded by soulful grown-up energy, this is the place to be. There is nothing like a full band, good people, and a packed dance floor to lift your spirit.

Another night, we would visit Posh on Pico for an upscale vibe, where you might catch Donnie Got the Beats setting the tone and the crowd bringing real flavor. It is a place where music, style, and celebration come together in the best way.

Throughout the week, we would mix in some creative and peaceful moments. Maybe a beach day in Malibu or Bruce’s Beach, a scenic hike at Griffith Park, or a visit to a pop-up like Heatcheck. I would also make sure we visit some Black-owned restaurants across Los Angeles and the Inland Empire, from comfort food to plant-based dishes. Supporting our community is always part of the plan.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to dedicate this moment to the people who fuel my journey every single day.

To my grandmother, whose spirit and strength continue to guide me and keep me grounded.
To my daughter, who lights up every room she walks into and reminds us all to be better, to love deeper, and to dream bigger.
To my brother, whose personal growth pushes me to keep striving and never settle.
To my mother, who has faced unimaginable obstacles and is now creating a future she can be proud of.
To my partner, who shares my vision, my passion, and my purpose… together, we create magic.
And to my entire tribe—thank you for being sources of light, love, and inspiration. I carry all of you with me in everything I do.

Website: https://www.FreeRoyalty.biz

Instagram: @JaiHarris

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaiharris/

Twitter: @JaiHarris

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jai.harris

Youtube: @FreeRoyaltyLLC

Image Credits
Photos by Darion Taylor Photography