Conversations with Jennifer Baptiste

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Baptiste.

Hi Jennifer, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

I’m just a thirty something school librarian on the go moonlighting as a writer, entrepreneur, and actress from Houston, Texas. Although to tell you the truth, I never thought life would take me where I am here in Los Angeles. I started out as a book shelver at a public library during my high school and undergraduate studies. After graduating with a degree in Sociology and minor in English, I entered public schools as a teacher’s aide and worked towards becoming a teacher. I spent a number of years as a prekindergarten educator eventually attaining a Master’s in Library Science and working as a school librarian. While building my career, I felt as though something was missing. That was my zest for life, creative expression, and relationships beyond the workplace.

Change was soon on the horizon and it all started with a single thought, “Adult gap year, why not?” I took time to determine my path, release limiting beliefs about myself, and realize passions of writing, travel, presenting, and creative expression in all forms. I decided that a gap year focused on these realizations and life enjoyment was my top priority, so I began to make moves. I got realistic, conversed with loved ones, and gave myself permission to go to Los Angeles. I chose this city based on the popular SCBWI writing conference and the highly recommended Writers’ Program at UCLA Extension. Next, I implemented my plans and hit the road with an amazing cross country trip. I kicked off my initial stay in LA with a massive writers’ conference, daily yoga sessions, cafe visits, and weekly writing classes that helped me fine tune some great manuscripts.

As my time continued in Los Angeles, my cup overflowed with blessings, learning curves, and opportunities. I took regular voiceover training, acting classes, worked as a background actress for a several months and became a SAG-AFTRA member. I also explored having roommates for the first time with co-living life on a creative compound for artists in aspects of music, writing, art and entertainment. I was even able to re-enter my library career after a gap year and establish firm foundations while serving as a member of California School Library Association, Los Angeles School Libraries Association, and UTLA Library Professionals Committee. I facilitated a writers critique group, wrote several picture book manuscripts, published a poem online with a local indie magazine, and received editor credit in an upcoming book anthology. Amazingly enough, I also started and continue to run an online business and YouTube channel as well.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

I’d say the road has been anything but smooth and linear. Although my goal to live a professionally creative life has been solid, the path has been riddled with obstacles that allowed me to change roadblocks into opportunities for personal growth.

One obstacle started just before I left Houston to come to Los Angeles with the death of one of my brothers that I was supposed to live with that summer. His passing was sudden and I didn’t know if I should leave my mother during such a heart-wrenching time, but seeing my brother lose his life so young showed me that I must embrace my life that much more and move forward with my plans.

Upon arriving in LA I was met with scammers on various platforms, which strengthened my awareness and personal boundaries in a new community. In moving to one of the most expensive cities in the country, I quickly learned to think outside the box and narrowly escaped homelessness with the support of Up(st)Art Creative Co-living, working as a background actress, and driving for Postmates. There was also the typical LA car towing, random traffic tickets, constant writing submission rejections, and overbearing anxiety of handling it all alone.

When I thought everything was back to normal after re-entering my library career, I was met with a toxic work relationship that challenged me to overcome depression, advocate for myself, and grow thicker skin. There was also the global pandemic that placed all areas of our lives on pause but led to me creating a YouTube channel and art sketches that ultimately became the designs for the online stationery collection that birthed my LLC.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

During the day, I currently serve as a middle school librarian. My instructional style provides creative, engaging lessons while empowering students to feel safe with the practice of ‘Love and Logic’ as my classroom management approach. I am known for my organization, supportive nature, and creativity that spills into all areas of my life.

What sets me apart? I’m willing to take a risk on myself beyond a 9 to 5 life. That is that I’m not afraid to be brave enough to pursue my creative ambitions through writing, entertainment, and entrepreneurship.

When I’m not serving in the school library, I co-facilitate a monthly writing critique group with fellow Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrator members. During downtime, I submit self-tape auditions for entertainment roles in the areas of voiceover, print and commercials. All the while, I am running and designing an online stationery shop that appears as a seasonal pop up booth at local art markets.

I used to suppress my artistic ambitious spirit as a woman. Now I am proud to embrace it with healthy life balance and grace.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?

My advice for finding a mentor is to notice who is noticing you, sitting next to you, introducing you to people, or simply engaging in casual conversation with you. Oftentimes there are admirable people there offering gentle guidance if you are willing to listen. I learned to recognize that the best mentors get to know you as a person and then assist you in cultivating your dreams in practical ways. I am so thankful for all the mentors that have helped me along the way.

Contact Info:

• Email: jbaptiste@jenniferbaptiste.com
• Website: https://www.jenniferbaptiste.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wheresmsb/?hl=en
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/wheresmsb?lang=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdh-9GUq55zdeQU3sdYI1Zw
• Other: https://www.redbubble.com/people/wheresmsb/shop

Image Credits
Cameron Radice Photography, Urban Love Tree Photography, Self