Today we’d like to introduce you to Jade Fabello.
Jade, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
A few years back, I switched from being a political public speaker to being a writer. The first piece I wrote as a freelancer was published in Texas Monthly under the title: “What I Learned as a Young Black Political Speaker in Liberal White Austin.” To sum it up, after winning a few speech competitions throughout high school, I ended up in many elite spaces. I gave speeches for politicians, business leaders, and senate-hopefuls. I did my best to be honest with my understanding of race and politics at the time. But the longer I stayed in those spaces, the more I felt a disconnect between what I truly believed and what I felt I had to say. I would spend hours writing and rehearsing speeches for politicians whose stated values and policies only lined up with a quarter of what I believed. Switching from speaking to writing and publically disavowing the political path I was on was my way of reimbuing honesty into my work and realigning myself.
I don’t think there is one definitive story to anyone’s life. And I am a much bigger fan of viewing life as a series of vignettes. So I’ll say that my story for the moment is finding out how I can find a moral place for myself in America and pursue the passion I have for the craft of writing.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road. But I’ve always found myself in a lot of trouble when I try to place myself in a narrative of resilience. My biological father is a good man, but he faced a lot of struggles with addiction that led to divorce and financial troubles for my mother, brother, and me. And my stepfather died before I was in fifth grade. Because of all that, I spent my teen years thinking that I was done with the hardships of life. When new tragedies happened in my life, like the racism that led to my racial awakening and my godfather’s cancer diagnosis, I was ill-equipped to recognize their effect on me. So I’ve learned to feel and embrace it all and not define myself by an ability to “overcome.” Life is tough sometimes, and you do what you can with what you got. And I want always to recognize the advantages I’ve had, like my supportive extended family and the connections they’ve brought me. Because I think “success” stories can make people reading them feel like the hardship they experience or their lack of “success” is a moral failing on their part. But everyone has different access to time, resources, and ability. The problem isn’t always you. It’s often an institutional failing or a problem with how we measure success in the first place.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an Austin-based freelance writer and editor. I’ve written for Texas Monthly, Austin Monthly, UT News, Fero’s Magazine, the Brown Journal of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, Study Hall XYZ, Batshit Times, and some other joints. I mostly write personal essays about politics, race, art, grief, and love.
It’s a fun gig, writing. And I’ve had the chance to interview a lot of great local artists when I do profiles. I grew up in this city, so I know my way around. And I just love using that knowledge to connect with some real ones here and just kind of fall in love with everyone I see, ya dig?
I’m very proud of a newsletter I make about the craft writing called “I love words and you.” Every week I put out a new letter diving into some aspect of the craft, and I’ve also picked up digital art so I can attach a drawing (usually of a little animal doing something mundane) to each entry. In that same vein, I’m very proud of the information that I share with people who are interested in pursuing writing. I still use my public speaking skills to talk to classes and local groups about writing, freelancing, and anything else people care to listen to me talk about.
I also am a novice Afrofuturist, which is someone who studies/practices the creative and academic discipline that imagines Black people in the future and in Sci-fi. I work remotely alongside my uncle Lonny Brooks and Ahmed Best (who played Jar-Jar in Star Wars) in a group called the AfroRithm Futures Group. Together, we make educational world-building tools for businesses, academic institutions, and individuals.
What’s next?
Just about every friend I’ve made in my adult life is a teacher of some respect. I want to find more opportunities to teach. I used to run writing workshops for Spark Magazine, a local Austin fashion publication, where I’d help other young writers tell stories that they actually gave a damn about. And I love that kind of thing, and I have a few unannounced things in the works that will allow to do more of that.
I also hope to branch out into fiction here soon enough. I am just going to keep writing and teaching, ya know.
Contact Info:
- Email: Jadefw@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.jadefabello.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jade__fab/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jade_FW
- Other: https://ilovewordsandyou.substack.com/
Image Credits
Nabil Bayoumi Thomas Swafford
