Today we’d like to introduce you to Genesis Jackson.
Hi Genesis, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am a proud artistic activist whose dream is to break the social constructs of racial injustice by introducing the power of the arts to the younger generations. My life experiences have shaped me into the woman I am today and I am excited to share my story.
I was born and raised in Inglewood, CA with two incredible parents to help guide me through this thing we call life. My father’s entrepreneurialism and creativity and my mother’s unwavering focus and resilience helped shape my passions at a very young age.
At the age of five, I was all too familiar with the phrase “Genesis, do it again. Same passion! Girls, watch Genesis!” I performed with all my energy to command the room filled with the teens who danced for Ms. Robin for years. At the age of 6, I had become their example of leadership and excellence. Gasping for air, I’d ask, “Like that Ms. Robin?” With tears, she’d respond, “My God, yes, just like that.” The Victory Praise Dancers instilled my passion for dance as we’d minister all over Los Angeles, from political figures to the largest churches. This group not only exposed me to the alluring qualities of dance but allowed me to help girls throughout Los Angeles.
As I got older, younger girls joined the group and I assumed my position as captain. Victory Praise Dancers is a group of girls from South Central, Los Angeles where many girls come from disadvantaged communities with backgrounds of neglect, abuse, and foster care. As captain, I was responsible for leading, teaching, and encouraging young, broken dancers. When I was twelve, a young girl entered the group. She was so shy, and while she could flip and spin like no other, she kept her talent under a dark cloud. She was a diamond in the rough, and I worked hard to earn her trust, inspire her, and show her how beautiful she was. I was often met with crossed arms and frustration, but I couldn’t take it personally. One evening, after 3 hours of continuous practice, I pulled the girl aside. I asked her, “Why are you here?” I explained, “I don’t want an answer, but the next time you dance, I want to know your answer through your movements.” After that encounter, she realized I was an asset in her life. She began to blossom, using passion behind her movements to physically articulate her message. As she stood on stage for the first time and danced like her life depended on it. From that moment, I realized how it was my destiny to give back to kids who are trying to find their voices and give them the tools to flourish in their passions. Working with young, inner city girls taught me so much about patience, gratitude, and how kindness can go a long way. It was an honor to be a part of polishing the diamond in the rough.
As I developed, allowing the world around me to influence my identity, my sleepwalking worsened. I was a sleepwalker who dragged her backpack around the house answering questions, subconsciously on a nightly basis. My mom told me it was unhealthy to never shut off and if things didn’t change, I would become homeschooled.
With my limited understanding, I knew my childhood was stolen by an overzealous school that believed homework until eleven every night was my ticket to college. I was another casualty of an unbalanced school system that only nurtured test scores and not my individuality. I didn’t realize I was a programmed robot who no longer had her own opinions, void of creativity and balance. This dramatic chapter in my academic journey ended up being everything I needed.
While homeschooled, I initiated a project about the atrocities of the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the West Indies. It was my first opportunity to break all stigmatized boundaries instituted by the school system. During my research, I realized I was forming my own opinions about a subject as opposed to my previous education driving me to have a certain perspective.
Homeschooling also helped me discover my identity. As an African- American girl born and raised in Inglewood, stereotypes were placed on me at a young age. While in public school, I would conform to my surroundings, constantly trying to be a part of the “in-crowd”. I never let my authenticity shine, however masked it in order to blend in with my friends. The task of finding myself was challenging, but it benefited me as I learned how to create my own unique path. When returning to public school as a freshman in high school, I was self-motivated, had exceptional management skills, and could prioritize like a professional. I was unlike my peers. I knew who I was during a time when everyone was trying to find themselves. I stood out, not only because of my grades but because of my personality and mind. I was subconsciously sleepwalking through life, a complete robot to the school system, but homeschooling was my alarm clock that woke me up and exposed me to the beauty of education.
During my homeschooling venture, I discovered my passion for makeup! I yearned to portray stories of victory and defeat, everlasting love and heartbreak, alien invasions and zombie massacres, all with the power of makeup.
I wasted no time and began researching how to become a special effects makeup artist. I practiced and mastered how to create injuries in a matter of weeks and used every second of the day to practice my newfound passion.
For the past nine years, I’ve taken the time to perfect my craft. I displayed my work on social media, inspired youth around Los Angeles, and even received compensation on sets for my work. In order to bring awareness to subjects such as police brutality and domestic violence on social media, I’d do my makeup and emphasize the importance of these topics in my caption. I quickly noticed that my audience was more keen to listen after you win their attention. I’d post videos of my tedious makeup process, however the caption would bring relevance to the importance of voting and the detrimental effect of gun violence. Since my audience is majority teens and young adults, I began to encourage my followers to find their voice and speak on topics they find critical. I was able to inspire youth by being given the opportunity to teach makeup at a camp for kids. While teaching my students, I reminded them that they are never too young to make a positive impact in their community. Developing this passion for this art form taught me how to use my creative gift as an inspirational tool for my generation.
I am now using my painting skills to bring awareness to these social justice issues that continuously haunt the Black Community. My acrylic art paintings bring awareness to police brutality, toxic masculinity, self-love, and the detrimental impact of being raised in AmeriKKKA. I am currently working on my art website where commission requests and prints are available. I also helped found an Alleyship series that is a movement, not a moment. In light of our socio-political climate and in partnership with Versa-Style: Performance. Education. Community. I, along with four other mains women, presented our Allyship series educates our circles and communities. As we see change begin at the governmental level, we realized that we must do work at the level we interact with every day: our friends and family. We created chapters that taught our Instagram followers the power of voting, the exploitation of Black and LatinX bodies in media, the importance of protection and safety during protest, the relevance of emphasizing mental health at home and many more topics. I also helped lead the creation of a 20-page google document that compiled resources such as petitions, upcoming protests, informative links and much more to ignite change and action. I’ve had the opportunity to lead protests and be the leading voice of change in my community. I’ve spoken on Dr. Phil about the detrimental impact of police brutality and have shared my story across Los Angeles. I’ve been celebrated by Better Make Room and Michelle Obama as I announced my commitment to UCLA to pursue higher education.
By teaching myself how to do special effects and beauty makeup, I developed a skill that I am being generously compensated for and have created a name for myself as a local makeup artist with a place of establishment in Inglewood, CA. As I invest into my dream of being a makeup artist, I also invested time and energy into my career as a dancer. Now, as I embark on my journey at UCLA as a 3rd year Dance and African American double major and a Regents Scholarship recipient, I can appreciate everyone and everything that got me here. I am currently working towards releasing my art commission’s website, a clothing brand with my art, and this new chapter will unlock unknown doors and provide infinite opportunities. I am extremely excited to grow not only as a student but as a person and emerge as a gregarious individual.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Over the next 5-10 years, I see the industry continuing to blossom and give a platform for young creatives to share their truth however I believe the further development of trends will warp the next generation’s passions and make them small-minded. The development of social media has corrupted beauty standards for young women and has convinced the younger generation to invest in BBL’s and veneers. It has encouraged kids to try to grow up fast and has distracted them of pursuing their dreams. Though social media can give talented artists the spotlight they deserve, it can also break spirits and discourage innocence. I believe big changes will happen in the social justice community and the path towards the reconstruction/deconstruction of the police department will flourish. I believe filters and minor facial reconstructions will eventually defund the makeup community. I don’t want to sound like a pessimist but I do see these things happening in the next few years.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genesisefx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010227550319
- Other: https://linktr.ee/Genesisefx
Image Credits:
Irvin Gomez Genesis Jackson
