USTYLE: I want to start from the beginning. Please introduce yourself to our audience?
SHAWNTA J: Well, I am Shawnta Jackson. I was born and raised in Las Vegas and spent my early adult years in Chicago. That is where I attended undergraduate school, got married, and birthed my only child, Zachary. When Zachary was 11 months old, I relocated back to Las Vegas in what was my first step in leaving a toxic and abusive marriage. I settled in Las Vegas for a few years working as a real estate agent, loan officer and failed entrepreneur before I enrolled in grad school and started working at a local public health department which made it possible for me to attend a conference in Washington, D.C. At the conference, I met my future boss who called me eight months later to offer me at job in Maryland. That was in 2013. I still live in Maryland, but I am now 100% self-employed and loving it.
USTYLE: You just released your sophomore book titled, “The Resilience of a Woman” but first I want to talk about “The Journal of a Woman with Lived Experiences” Tell me about that book
SHAWNTA J: “The Journal of a Woman with Lived Experiences” is a 21-day guided journal. I would normally journal and throw my journals away out of shame, guilt, and embarrassment. I never wanted anyone to know what I was writing about until one day when I built up the courage to read a journal to a friend. I told him of my plans to throw my journal away and he told me, “No!” He said that my journals could help someone someday and that it when I had an epiphany and decided that I was going to write a book based on my journal entries that were never intended for the public.
Based on feedback from people that I engage with on social media, I chose 21 days which is the amount of time that many experts say are needed to create a habit. I selected 21 of my journal entries to share and assigned themes to them such as Owning Your Story, Staying True to Yourself, and Manifesting Love. I also wear a coach and mentor hat by providing insight and giving advice on the various topics in the book. I also provided a journal prompt and space for the reader to write at the end of each journal entry.
USTYLE: I can definitely say it helped me. I purchased your book during a difficult life changing time in my life and it made me dig deep and do some soul searching of my own self
USTYLE: What was your inspiration behind the book?
Shawnta J: I wanted to write a book, but I always thought that it would be on a professional topic. I never imagined that I would be so vulnerable in public. I was inspired by the fact that I would be helping someone by sharing how I process my own intimate thoughts about myself, relationships, faith, and the world around me. Also, I knew that I was leaving behind a legacy for my son and grandchildren. They will know who I am from my own words.
USTYLE: That’s what I love about it because you shared your own experiences, very transparent and I’m sure all your readers including myself appreciate that.
USTYLE: I know in the book you refer back to a lot of what you went through in your journey. Where did your your strength from to document your experience?
Shawnta J: As I previously mentioned during my introduction, my journey includes living in different states, an abusive marriage, single-motherhood, and career changes. I honestly pulled from my strength within which is both natural and taught. Naturally, I am a high achiever and am always proving to myself that I am capable of whatever my mind can imagine even when I don’t know how or when I am doubtful or fearful. Additionally, I was taught strength and resilience from my parents and my family through their personalities, behaviors, and actions. Strength was modeled to me as a child. I was molded by strong people.
USTYLE: Was writing “The Journal of a Woman with Lived Experiences” somewhat of a therapeutic journey for you too? What were your thoughts as you wrote?
Shawnta J: Yes. Writing this book was very therapeutic and rewarding for me. I had the opportunity to learn about me from me. The self-reflection helped to increase my level of self-awareness and self-understanding. I also recognized patterns in my thoughts, especially about love and relationships. I realized that I made dating decisions out of fear of being vulnerable, hurt or rejected.
USTYLE: What are you hoping women who read your books take away from its content?
Shawnta J: That they are not alone and should embrace journaling as a form of self-reflection, self-care, and self-expression. Also, that we are the experts of our lives and our experiences and have the power and right to live our lives to the fullest without validation from others.
USTYLE: When did you know that you needed to come with “The Resilience of a Woman”
Shawnta J: My goal is to write as many books as I can on various topics related to life and business. However, before I moved on from my first book, I felt that I owed it to my readers to be honest and transparent about where I am now in life as it relates to the various topics that I wrote about in my first book.
USTYLE: What has been the response from your audience so far?
Shawnta J: I’m loving the public and private feedback that I am receiving from women and men. One woman recently shared with me that chapter one of “The Resilience of a Woman” helped her to show gratitude towards her children’s father. The feedback encourages me to keep moving forward and serves as confirmation that I am doing the right thing.
USTYLE: Now being on book number two, would your wish be to have each book stand on its own or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
Shawnta J: I am definitely building a body of work using my background in social and behavioral health to motivate, inspire, and provide sound advice to help people to live their best lives.
USTYLE: With your first book you gave your readers the opportunity to journal their own thoughts and feelings after each chapter. Why was it important for you to include this exercise?
Shawnta J: I provided prompts and space for readers to write because it’s not all about me. My first book was a guided-journal and I used my journal entries as a model for my readers. The exercise of journaling is important because it helps us to gain more clarity, relieve stress, make decisions, and effectively communicate with the people in our lives. Journaling is also a form of self-therapy that may prompt people to seek professional help.
USTYLE: I can definitely say that’s my favorite part of the book.
USTYLE: Do you view writing as a kind of spiritual practice for you?
Shawnta J: I’m glad that you asked this question. Writing is a spiritual practice. It is a form of prayer. I write to our Creator all the time and express gratitude as well as for guidance and support. I personally believe that our spiritual health supports our mental well-being. They are interdependent.
USTYLE: How would you describe your writing style?
Shawnta J: My writing styles are persuasive and narrative. My stories and the insight I share are short and straight to the point. I don’t feel like I have to write a lot of words to be impactful and provide value. I definitely incorporate research and evidence-based approaches as well when I am giving advice.
USTYLE: Nice
USTYLE: Have you had any formal training in writing or did you wake up one day and decided you wanted to write?
Shawnta J: I am not a formally trained writer. However, I did take English composition and journalism classes. Public relations was my major in undergraduate school, so I had to learn to write using the industry format of AP style in addition to MLA. In graduate school I wrote using APA format and throughout my professional career I’ve written numerous reports and white papers. My books are written in Chicago Manual Style, but I hire a professional editor to assist me with that.
USTYLE: Did publishing your first book change your writing style for your second book?
Shawnta J: Publishing my first book did not change my writing style for my second book. I think that I am pretty consistent in the way I write, but I have learned and improved.
USTYLE: Yes I definitely feel like that’s they key to holding an audience is staying consistent in presentation. Not too many changes, improve and perfect the foundation.
USTYLE: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
Shawnta J: When I was a little girl, I always said that I would have my own magazine. Later in life I started to envision myself on solo writing vacations which I haven’t done yet. Years went by without me ever planning to be a writer until a few years ago when I decided that I wanted to book more professional speaking engagements. I always thought that I would write a book on my experiences in the world of stakeholder and community engagement. As I mentioned earlier, it wasn’t until I read a private journal entry to a friend that I became inspired to write self-help and personal development books.
USTYLE: What does literary success look like for you?
Shawnta J: Literary success is me being able to not only share my physical books with the world, but to use the content to create additional opportunities to serve people and share my gifts of inspiration and insight with the world. The feedback and testimonials that I receive are also indicators for success to me. The monetary return on investment will come in more ways than I can image.
USTYLE: You do an online book club as well. Tell me about that.
Shawnta J: I recently launched my first virtual book club serious for “The Resilience of a Woman.” I stream live via YouTube and Facebook on every Sunday at 6pm Eastern during the month of March. Readers will also have the opportunity to join me on camera to ask questions or share their testimonials. After March, I will be available for private book club meetings hosted by my readers. I also plan to host discussions in various community settings.
USTYLE: The Shawnta Jackson Talk Show. I love first of all, you have a different niche than most. Why did you want to start the talk show?
Shawnta J: I’ve always wanted to have my own talk show with a studio audience. I visualized a Ricki Lake, Phil Donahue, and Oprah-type audience. I wanted all of my topics to be socially conscious that would help people to make informed decisions and learn ways to improve their lives and the lives of others. In order to execute this vision, I joined DCTV, a local public access television station in Washington, D.C. I took the necessary training at their studios and was well on my way, but COVID-19 happened which required me to pivot and start streaming live on my Facebook pages and YouTube.
USTYLE: What is the vision of your show because you have had some pretty amazing guests on?
Shawnta J: My vision for the show was to simply help people to help themselves and others by bringing on guests who inspire and inform. My guests are individuals with lived experiences with stories of triumph and resilience. My guests are also professionals and advocates who bring awareness to important issues. I also created another show called. “Connections with Shawnta Jackson” featuring my LinkedIn connections.
USTYLE: How do you determine who you will have on as a guest?
Shawnta J: The majority of my guests are scouted by me. I search for reputable individuals that I trust enough to introduce to other people. I also accept referrals. Either way, I look for value, professionalism, credibility, and intent. All of my guests must be socially conscious, informative, and/or inspiring.
USTYLE: I know you also had the opportunity to have RnB singer, Mr. Anthony Hamilton on to talk with you. How was that experience?
Shawnta J: I had the opportunity to interview Anthony Hamilton twice. I was amazed and very grateful to engage with him in such an intimate way. He is definitely a team player too. I say that because all of my shows are live. For our first interview, he had some audio issues and we were troubleshooting live while people were watching. I even switched cameras and ended up using a lower quality camera because once his audio started working, I was just so happy to move on with the interview that I kept the ugly camera on. Nevertheless, it was a great discussion. We talked about politics, mental health, dating, cooking, and more.
After that interview, I followed-up with Anthony Hamilton and his team to schedule a second interview because I felt I wanted another chance at having a high-quality video. The second interview was just as good if not better than the first. Mr. Hamilton was very open about his thoughts and desires about love and relationships. My goal is to interview him in-person someday.
USTYLE: I watched and really enjoyed the ease and relaxation that was there.
USTYLE: Which one of your guests you’ve had the opportunity to talk with that had you completely blown away?
Shawnta J: All of my guests were unique and amazed me in some way, but I was definitely blown away by Anthony Hamilton during both interviews. Also, there is this woman that I interviewed named Hanna Olivas who decided to be an unstoppable woman even though she was diagnosed with an incurable blood cancer. Another guest is a woman known as S. Monique Smith. She was an abused child who later learned in adulthood that she was a missing person. At the time of the interview she was referred to as the oldest living Jane Doe. She highlighted the fact that missing children become missing adults.
USTYLE: Who would you love to sit and chat with, past or present next?
Shawnta J: I have a long list of people, but I would love to sit and chat with Nas. It would be his most fulfilling interview to date.
USTYLE: I know you are a mother, author and talk show host. How do you balance the many hats?
Shawnta J: You forgot social entrepreneur. My firm, Cause Engagement Associates, provides support to organizations with socially conscious initiatives. Sometimes, I get completely overwhelmed and retreat, but overall I’m able to manage these various roles because these are things that I have chosen to do and enjoy doing. I am my own boss and I choose my schedule. I understand the importance of setting boundaries, scheduling, delegating tasks, asking for help, and saying “no” when necessary. I also choose not to occupy my time with television and overly socializing.
USTYLE: I like the fact that you are your Brand, Shawnta Jackson. Is this your purpose to make sure your audience sees the books and talk show all as one entity with no separation as far as identity?
Shawnta J: Yes. I am Shawnta Jackson, the Shawnta Jackson. My purpose in life is to help people to help themselves and others and to live my best life. I am on a journey as a life explorer and I’m taking people with me as I take on different endeavors, not limited to books, tv shows, speaking engagements, and cause-related campaigns.
USTYLE: What keeps you motivated and focused?
Shawnta J: Taking breaks, tending to my well-being, journaling, and goal-setting helps to keep me focused. I also have very little distractions in my daily life such as television. The possibilities in life, moments with my loved ones, and my dreams keeps me motivated.
USTYLE: Where would you like to see the Shawnta Jackson Brand in the next 3 years?
Shawnta J: Within the next three years, I would like to be internationally known for helping to improve the lives of others through my work as a social entrepreneurs, author, speaker, and media personality. I would like to create unique collaborations with corporate and philanthropic organizations too. Personally, I will continue to explore the world and live a leisure and healthy lifestyle. I also hope to be in a fulfilling committed relationship or marriage.
USTYLE: Name one thing you would like our audience to know about Shawnta Jackson?
Shawnta J: I would like for Ustyle Magazine’s audience to know that like them, I am on a life journey. I am on a journey of self-exploration, self-expression, self-care. I invite you all to join me.
USTYLE: Tell everyone how and where they can catch your show, purchase your books and again how they can join the book club?
Shawnta J: To learn more about me and my happenings and to connect with me on social media and YouTube, simply visit my website at ShawntaJackson.com. Autographed copies of my books are available on my website and online wherever books are sold.
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