Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamaica Jackson.
Hi Jamaica, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Jamaica Jackson Photography was created in 2008 while living in Houston, Texas. At the time, the portfolio consisted primarily of auto show exhibits, collegiate sports, amateur team photos and providing content for a local magazine. Shortly after, I became a travel photographer and based myself in Los Angeles, California to gain more exposure and diversify the companies client list. A few years later, circa 2013, the opportunity presented itself to return to Texas and pursue my undergraduate and graduate degree at Texas State University. Once this formal education was complete, it was evident that I could combine my love for the arts and passion for educational equity by developing all-inclusive curriculum facilitated by strategic coaching. In 2018 Jamaica Jackson Photography relaunched in collaboration with Savory House LLC to offer Content Creation Services, Career Training, Mentorship, Technology Education as well as a FunFit Wellness Program.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Deciding that I wanted to go into business for myself was easy, empowering even, but the journey itself hasn’t always been the smoothest. Presently, I find myself in this interesting place where I’m struggling to decide what my next professional step is. In addition to my business partnerships, I also teach Career and Technology Education and coach sports at the secondary level in downtown Austin. While I know the pandemic has significantly impacted everyone’s day to day; for many of us this includes our mental well-being. My personal and professional obstacle is this, I don’t believe enough of our youth and young adults are being heard in a space where they are required to learn, achieve and spend majority of their time. This knowing has made it hard for me to walk away even though I feel unsafe. Unfortunately, and in my personal opinion, some institutions are still uncovering and struggling with the best way to reconstruct their learning/work environments to ensure equity and inclusiveness while holding firm to typical performance expectations.
The biggest hindrance I’ve noticed, and again this is based on my personal experience these last few years as an active teacher, is failing to acknowledge and be empathic to the internal crisis this experience has exacerbated for many of our youth and the adults that oversee them. I see first-hand what educators and administrative teams are currently facing, but deep down, I know those who will suffer the most are our scholars and their immediate communities. Research shows that learning and academic achievement cannot occur without first addressing what is happening outside of the classroom, but this is not standard training for all adults who enter this space. I struggle now with walking away from the access and consistency a traditional classroom provides to fully commit to the non-traditional structures and ideas of Savory House. With my efforts and attention being split – balancing time, personal responsibilities and company growth are my challenges. However, I’ve come to realize that my biggest barrier in all of this has been…my belief in me and this nagging fear of failure. Both worlds can exist for me and acknowledging this tendency to undermine myself is allowing me too lean into my discomfort head-on and take accountability for where I see myself and these businesses heading in the future.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Through coaching and strategic planning sessions, Savory House offers assistance in three areas that have daily influence on our personal and professional lives: the Mind, the Body and the Soul. We provide Academic Support, Career Training and a Structured Play Curriculum.
As an organizer of community engagement events and recruiter of facilitation teams nationwide, our key-note, group and individual sessions encourage organizational and individual growth no matter the experience level. Whether in-person or virtual, 1-to-1 or team-oriented, these customized meetings include reflective brainstorming activities and strategic planning prompts that allow for increased performance now. With resources and personnel to cater to any age group, Savory House also assists with the development and facilitation of professional and district trainings. These goal-driven workshops and webinars work for any environment and are aligned to company initiatives and state requirements.
The Soul of Savory House speaks to the beautiful, enduring and visual side of life and showcases our innovators of today. In partnership with Jamaica Jackson Photography, Savory House offers our youth members an introductory visual communications course and on the job training for multi-media projects big and small.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I am a firm believer that luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. I also know that hindsight, for most, is 20/20 and it’s not always easy to be objective in the nowness of an experience. When I reflect on what I’ve labeled as good and bad luck or the trials and tribulations of my life, I can say wholeheartedly that everything has occurred for a reason. I needed the sour as much as I welcomed the sweet and I am grateful to be in a space when I can recognize the grace and favor that has been shown to me throughout this journey. The actualization of Savory House wouldn’t be here without “luck” and look forward to what’s to come because I am still learning, growing and preparing for our next opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Email: contactjamaica@savoryhouse.fit
- Website: www.savoryhouse.fit
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_jamaicajacksonphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamaicajacksonphotography/
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/jamaicajackson
Image Credits
Jamaica Jackson Photography
