Meet Jessika Jones | Media Producer & Impact Consultant

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

Hi Jessika, what are you inspired by?
I am inspired by need. Where there is need, there is opportunity. My personal and professional lives have been marked by service, so when I consider “need,” I’m always inspired to find a way to put my talent to use in a way that can contribute to a solution. As a society, we’ve digressively shifted from a place of need to desire. As such, we’ve found ourselves with huge pockets of underserved spaces and communities that *need* this or that. So then, the way I look at it — I could spend my time creating at a whim, or I could submit that creativity to real-world problem solving and storytelling. Doing the latter challenges and inspires me far more than the former.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Media production, for me, is more about storytelling than anything else. Whether commercial, consumer, personal, or otherwise, content that centers relatability, interpersonal connections, and shared experiences generally resonates most impressively. As a creative producer, my job is to capture within context. That means being mindful of physical, environmental, and relational details. Many producers often capture primarily from their own or their audience’s lens (i.e. how they see an environment or story and either how they envision or how their audience may prefer/enjoy its story being told). While most often consider the lens of their subject, too many fail to lead with and prioritize that perspective. That’s what sets me apart. I capture authentically. My art, my media, my stories, and my business align as closely with my subject’s perspective through rapport and side-by-side storytelling. The most compelling stories are told by those who live them. My responsibility is to honor, uplift, and bring light to narratives that may otherwise be exploited, distorted, or dimmed for interest or readership. It seems like a simple obligation or moral responsibility, but it is a commitment that distinguishes my work from many others

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If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In my opinion, a perfect vacation week in LA includes a mix of hideaway spots and tourist favorites. Now I gotta be honest – the following itinerary would be *tentative* for someone like me. Lol. I’d love to imagine how I’d spend my week, but I also know I’d easily give way to whatever each day may bring. Regardless, let’s say I had a couple of friends in town; we’d likely spend a slow Monday morning at El Matador Beach in Malibu, followed by a sunset dinner at Duke’s. Tuesday, we’d check out the Getty or the Broad, maybe both if traffic is friendly. Wednesday, a mid-day hike at Elysian Park, there are a few trails that give beautiful views of the DTLA skyline, and one that puts you just over Dodger stadium with the skyline next to it, a cool way to break a sweat and be inspired by nature and city views. We’d catch dinner somewhere unique like Celestina Rooftop. Or for instance, right now the Four Seasons Hotel has this super cool botanical cocktail lounge, you know – something with a cute LA vibe. Thursday, more nature sightseeing, either the Hollywood sign hike (friends/fam always want to do this hike) or Eaton Canyon, an easy trail featuring a beautiful waterfall. Depending on how the day goes, maybe a night of Indoor Kart Racing. Friday, we’re probably vegging out or getting into something simple like a walk through Venice Beach or the Santa Monica Pier. Saturday, we’d shoot for a lively beach experience at Dockweiler with everything from basketball, bikes, scooters, beach volleyball, and fire pits. To close the week, we’d spend Sunday taste testing at Smorgasburg LA followed by a chill stroll through Echo Park. Something fun or intriguing, active, and not too over the top – that’s my vibe.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The notion of success has always held a weighted presence in my purview. For 10 years I hustled and bustled towards the traditional perception of success; college, a Master’s, a Ph.D., a 6-figure position, and a fancy house and car. The past year and a half completely shifted that trajectory. I have Watts to thank for that. I always knew I wanted to impact social justice, to disrupt systemic oppression, but if I’m being truthful, that goal was not without consideration of monetary gain. My approach was to maximize impact as well as salary. With that in mind, I spent most of my time in the for-profit world until early 2021. Meeting and bonding with communities in Watts forced me to rediscover the simplest joys of life. I’ve sacrificed more than half my former pay and yet found myself happier and more successful in business growth than ever before. After a year, that growth is beginning to monetize. I was introduced to Watts through Inspired by ielaf and LoveWins, two non-profit organizations dedicated to service and community development. Shortly after, I began working with R.O.C ERA (@r.o.c_era), a non-profit dedicated to youth development through arts, fitness, and mentorship. That relationship has grown exponentially, and it’s been a magical experience to see our impact unfold and ripple throughout the community. The Watts Empowerment Center (WEC) has also served as an intersection for many sources of support, mentorship, and inspiration. WEC is where I met Dr. Sharon – a fierce businesswoman and non-profit resource (@thenonprofitplug). It’s where I met people like Yang and Sista Soulja (both longtime Watts natives and community members), Justin, Connor, and Anne – all of whom dedicate a great amount of time, resources, and network to empower, provide, and serve the community. Watts has changed my life. That can’t be overstated. And while it’s the people who electrify and inspire me to serve and build community, hold space for grace, and fight for restitution, I owe the potential for experience to organizations that dare to serve and create opportunities for success not only for entrepreneurs like myself but more importantly for communities most in need of service.

Website: www.designmsjones.com

Instagram: instagram.com/designmsjones

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessika-jones

Image Credits
Jessika Jones | DMJ