We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Janace Griffin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Janace , so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
As more times than not the only one in the room that looks like me I have learned to listen and reflect more. Being an African-American woman in a predominantly Hispanic, Latin-American & Mexican culture has genuinely been humbling! I think many times as a people we can be so focused on our own issues and imagined or real oppressions and opportunities that we forget about other cultures and communities that have had a similar journey or experiences that could enable us to reach a bigger common goal! Which for me is to improve the community and diversity of the community I live in, in regards to Arts & Entertainment. El Paso is chuck full of talent and potential however, for some reason Black Artist here have always felt the need to travel to bigger cities for the level of support and exposure they feel they deserve. I created the El Paso Black Arts Association to hopefully enable more artist of my culture, residing in El Paso, to feel seen as well as allow other businesses of the community that may not be African-American to network with us and see what we have to offer in a central location.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am originally from the coast of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where my father served in the United States Marine Corps for 20+ years before recently passing away in 2018 after a year of battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia at Duke University directly caused by the contamination of the water system located on the base during his time serving. You may have seen or heard about this on the news and never knew anyone personally affected by this tragedy, but here I am. All my life I’d been a daddy’s girl and prided many of my accomplishments on his approval. Whether it been as a child in Karate winning first place, teenager in Wind Ensemble earning first chair or a young adult graduating with my bachelors in Psychology with the honors of Cum Laude and pinning on my Gold Bars as a brand new Lt. in the United States Air Force. My father was not only the rock of our family but my hero and always encouraged me to go above and beyond!
Art, writing and anything in regards to being creative has always been my passion however, I never thought I would be able to make a living doing it! I currently serve as a Creative Director for a local modeling agency entitled “The Queen Has Spoken” it is premier Black owned business as well as LGBTQIA+ friendly here in Sun City, El Paso Texas! I also happen to be a Fashion Designer of my own brand entitled Junk Approved which has been featured not only at L.A. Fashion Week, Audi Fashion week and the El Paso Crossland Art Gallery, but also on the covers of MagsBlack Magazine as well as The City Magazine and beyond! To date I have published three African-American Children’s books entitled: Same Kind of People, The REAL Goldi-Locs & Q.U.E.E.N. My books are for sale on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Wal-Mart, Target and all major bookstores! I read my books for free via ZOOM, Skype or in person to assist schools with showcasing diversity and inclusivity in the classroom. My books also each donate to an African-American non-profit organization in an effort to support and promote Black Excellence! I write articles for The City Magazine as a past time as well as working diligently to reinstate the Black Chamber of Commerce in El Paso.
I have also founded the El Paso Black Arts Association in an effort to offer a platform to exemplify all of the tremendously talented and creative African-American Artist located here in El Paso
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back without patience for my journey, being able to listen to those that had trodded roads before me and allowing myself to be encouraged by those that genuinely love, support and appreciate me the most I’d be a goner. Sometimes when you are going through a dark place it seems the sun will never shine again but it isn’t true. It may seem like a long while even but it’s coming just sit tight and get ready! If you are just being the journey of being an entrepreneur or living your passion remind yourself daily that you are doing it for YOU first before anyone else, nothing is perfect but that’s what makes it that much more beautiful.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Collaborations are the funnest part of my job because I get to allow someone else to take ideas I have and run with them or vice versa! It’s cool to be able to work with a totally different mind from a different walk of life or background or race etc. and make ART the meeting point. I am heavy on marketing and promotion of projects I am selected to be featured in, I understand it’s an investment on both ends. I like to collaborate with open minded individuals that like to push the edges of fashion, art, perception and senses. I think now days people get bored very fast so you have to keep up with what’s in and what’s out.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.junkapproved.com
- Instagram: @junkdredz
- Other: IG: @junkapproved IG: @Elpasoblackartsassociation TikTok: @junkdredz
