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

Hi Lizelle, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk has played an integral role in my life. All of my greatest successes have risen from the times I was willing to take the biggest risk. Knowing I have something to lose forces to me to stay focused and put everything I have into the endeavor.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Color the Water was completely unexpected! Having just been laid off from my job as an international travel guide due to Covid, I found myself back in Los Angeles after almost 10 years of living abroad. After so much time outside of the states, I knew I wanted to get involved in the community in some way or another and the racial reckoning we had experienced during the Spring of 2020 ended up being the catalyst to do so. As someone that has been a surfer for over 10 years, I was always used to being one of the only women of color in the water, it just came with the territory of doing something that I loved. A chance encounter at a surf paddle out, led to a partnership to fight for more ocean equity by offering free surf lessons to the BIPOC communities in Los Angeles.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Most of my friends love the outdoors so I would give them a taste of the amazing natural settings that LA has to offer. An ideal day would be to take them mountain biking on the Backbone trail in the Santa Monica Mountains, followed by surfing at Topanga and then stopping for the best ice cream in town from Rori’s in the Santa Monica. 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?
My shoutout goes to my mom for being the hardest working woman I know! She always managed to find the time and energy to pursue her own active passions even if it meant waking up at 4:00am to go for a bike ride/run so she could be back before I woke up to help me get ready for school. She taught me the value of hard work, a healthy lifestyle and to always be curious and explore the world around me. Love you mom!

Instagram: color_the_water

Image Credits
John Suhar and David Malana

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