We had the good fortune of connecting with Jamie LeShaé Jenkins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jamie LeShaé, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Being who I am. I love my identity. I love learning. I love my family. I love my community. I love life. And I am obsessed with freedom.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have spent the last 20 years studying, practicing, and advocating for freedom, particularly for people of African descent, Indigenous people worldwide, and women. I’ve served as an educator in multiple forms: high school history teacher, teacher coach, program designer and facilitator, trainer, executive coach and racial justice consultant. In 2016, I launched a youth leadership development non-profit called BOOM, for Black and Brown visionaries in Dallas. I coach young educators on how to build educational programs, while fundraising and building a community-controlled educational ecosystem and learning lab. So far, we boast 100% literacy retention for all K-8 participants and have disbursed $215,000 in stipends to 38 high school, pre-career, and college fellows. We’ve also invested $121,000 in paid training to 6 early career young adults who have transitioned from college to classroom teachers; as well as over $100,000 in local Black+ and Brown-owned shops in Dallas. This job definitely keeps me busy; we offer our programs free of cost, and fundraising ain’t easy. Black Women Founders receive less than 0.5% of the $66.9 billion that is annually given to foundations. Beyond BOOM, I research and capture ancient and present-day herstories, and journal. 

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Good question…. depends on the friend… Are they ratchet or refined? Dietary restrictions or down to eat whatever? Time of year? I’d ask a lot of questions before setting the itinerary. But for imagination’s sake, I’ll just share some standards. After traveling, they’ll probably want to do something chill; so on the first day, we’d go to Spa Castle, King Spa, or Koffee Day Spa. Then we’d order in – maybe get some Black Boxes from Irene’s – and binge some comedy specials on Netflix. On day 2, we’d cruise. See neighborhoods/landmarks, and depending on the person, incorporate a food tour in the mix: Breakfast Brothers, Pan-African Connection, Rudy’s, Big T Bazaar, Ronnie’s Catfish and Freedman Cemetery. Day 3, we’ll shop. Hit up the thrift stores (before 2:00 PM because we ain’t got time for crowds and shenanigans); then put on something cute, visit galleries (Daisha Board // Pencil on Paper Gallery); then end with drinks at the Reunion Tower. By day 4, my introversion will strongly set in, so I’d tell my guest to choose their own adventure with a list of suggestions: go to Oak Cliff Cultural Center; get a Chimichanga from Casa Del Vegano; go to the South Dallas Cultural Center; get some Ackee and Saltfish from Elaine’s; visit Southside on Lamar – It’s a micro Black Wallstreet. I have other ideas depending on the friend.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am proud to say I AM my ancestors incarnate. I am thankful for every person who has supported me in my journey: family, friends, colleagues, mentors, or mentees. Most specifically, I’d like to dedicate this shoutout to my mother, Melanie Faye Jenkins, who is a pillar of strength, confidence, and determination; and who raised me to be fiercely independent, free-thinking, achievement-oriented, and empowered in my divinity and femininity.

Website: https://jleshae.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daughter.of.dallas/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daughter.of.dallas/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@daughter.of.dallas

Other: https://weboom.org


Image Credit
Photographer: Zack Earhart / Zack Shot It
Photographer: Gabe Sheffield

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