Life & Work with Janae Washington

Today we’d like to introduce you to Janae Washington.

Hi Janae, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In retrospect, it started in elementary. Listening to colorful stories from Shel Silverstein, Stan and Jan Berenstain, and Dr. Suess to name a few, ignited my passion for storytelling and writing. To me, the books and illustrations came to life as they were read. I vaguely remember being so fascinated with the stories, that I secretly made the decision to become a writer. Although my path has not been paved with yellow bricks of written works, it has been colorful one. I graduated, in Los Angeles, from American Intercontinental University, Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design & Marketing. From there, I went on to pursue the fashion industry in New York, as a buyer for a women’s wear company. While working in the thick of New York, with the putrid air and the hustle and bustle to climb from the bottom, I decided that I didn’t love fashion enough. I remember applying to fashion industry jobs, having well beyond the qualifications to get the job but not enough connections or people who knew the who’s and who’s. It deflated my interests. I moved back to Los Angeles to be closer to my family and found a job as a fashion jewelry wholesale rep. It definitely gave me a different perspective on the industry, and I absolutely loved it.

However, I still didn’t feel fulfilled. It felt like another lack-luster position, that I accepted because I was capable of doing it. Then came my mentor in 2016, Brenda Daniels, like a breath of fresh air. She inspired me to do something I loved, and of course, I confessed that writing was my passion. My first book, “Bye Bye Black Skin” came that year. It was about my unpleasant experience in elementary and perseverance. I remember being 1 of 5 Black students at my school and constantly being teased about my appearance. I also remember not seeing myself in the books I read or on the brown antennae television I watched, which led to my low self-esteem. It was an experience I didn’t know that others could relate to, but I wrote my heart out. Within a matter of weeks, I found how necessary it was. I did book signings where grandparents would tell me what their grandchildren were going through in school and then saw parents of kids who were bullied or had a hard time accepting their appearances. This journey brought me here.

Now, I have created a series of children’s books about a character, “Rocki Reed,” who is a little Black eight-year-old girl that loves math and science. The series, Rocki Reed Adventures, goes through her journey of exploration and bonding with people from all types of backgrounds. My first book is entitled, “Rocki Reed Adventures Exploring Volcanoes.” I felt like this was really important because as we know, representation matters. Minority books represent less than 24% of the current market, and the only way to solve that is to create something with meaning. With my passion for literature, storytelling, and writing, I felt it was important to me, and this has been the most fulfilling part of my life’s journey. People from around the world have given so much great feedback and I am grateful for this opportunity to share my stories with the world.

Additionally, I am a media correspondent and writer for “Women For The Culture.” It is a Black woman-owned media company. Through our collaboration, I have highlighted some of the greatest moments in red carpet history. Some of which have even went viral. My passion for being in front of the camera and learning people’s stories has really helped me lean into this gift.

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?
As we know, the Children’s Literature industry is oversaturated with narratives that are pushed by the publishing houses. Yes, it is a tough road. When you travel from bookstore to bookstore to try to get your books on their shelves, if it doesn’t fit the monotonous narrative, you may not get selected. Also, the publishing houses can be biased, if you don’t have an agent or someone of status supporting your books. I have been told no; I have been told to write something like “Harry Potter” and all sorts of things. Still, I write and get my books on any shelf I can because my books matter to all of the marginalized children out there who have never seen people like them or had stories told about them. They matter.

In media, I have had the challenges of not being seen as a “worthy” media outlet, which in turn has led to us getting turned down for certain carpets or bad placement at events. However, we are still thriving, and we don’t take no as an insult, we take it as a minor inconvenience on the journey to the top.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a children’s book author and I have created a series called, ” Rocki Reed Adventures.” I currently have four books created in that series. They could be found on my website, www.rockireed.com. I am most known for being a children’s book author and writer. This is also what I am most proud of. I have created a beautiful space for children to feel seen, heard, and loved, and their stories told.

In addition to writing children’s books, I also do media and correspondence work for “Women for The Culture.” With flair, I have graced the red carpets of several award shows and asked some of your favorite celebrities, the questions we all wanted to know. I have also done live interviews and editorials on Hollywood’s favorites. Essence Awards, LA Fashion Week, and BET just to name a few. I am also extremely proud of this. This was a divinely discovered second passion of mine; the ability to make people feel seen and heard in their truest form. I enjoy interviewing and asking questions that are thoughtful and make celebrities feel at ease and glow in front of the camera.

What were you like growing up?
If quiet was a person, it would be me. As a child, I always felt I was awkward, so I observed a lot. I would walk into a room and immediately start looking around to see who was doing what. My skills were being able to absorb a room and adapt. I was also very loving and loveable, and I remember my parents would take us on road trips to visit my grandparents in the south, which is why I currently have the travel bug. Another fun fact is, I could draw anything I saw exactly the way it was pictured, which I won an award for in art class. It was a skill that I lost over time, but it was so therapeutic. It allowed me to tap into myself and explore my levels of creativity because I did not have a lot of friends. Being the quiet girl in school, was in itself an awkward social experience. From elementary school to high school, I excelled in class. I loved being smart and the perks, from my parents, that came with it. I also had an elaborate music catalog; everything from Billy Holiday to Rod Stewart, to Aerosmith, to Lauryn Hill, Tupac and others. I had an eclectic taste, which allowed me to connect with a lot of different people because as we know, music is a universal language. In high school, I became more outspoken and more of a socialite.

Pricing:

• 7.89
• 10.00
• 5.00

Contact Info:

• Website: www.rockireed.com
• Instagram: @whatevershefancies, @rocki.reed
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janae.washington.3
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/janae-washington-94930623b
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_WBCB-cDXxAd5mAeXFwWdQ