An Inspired Chat with Nicole Jocleen of Oklahoma City

We recently had the chance to connect with Nicole Jocleen and have shared our conversation below.

Nicole, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I along with a group of other visionaries founded an organization that aims to reduce gun violence in our community. It is called Peace City Oklahoma.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Nicole Jocleen. I am a 2023 Great Plains Journalism Award Winner, film producer, storyteller, and black cowboy
historian.
I am the producer of Riding Legacy:An Oklahoma
Black Cowboy Story (2023)
To follow up on that project I am writing a book highlighting those cowboys and more.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I believe division breaks the bonds between people. Division is formed through the desire to have people to ourselves. It’s formed through the desire to obtain a goal, It’s formed by avoiding hard conversations and accountability. Divide and conquer is the oldest trick in the book.

I believe grace restores it. Knowing that we’re all flawed individuals who are sometimes wrong and sometimes right. Loving the individual more than the problem allows grace the power to undo what division has created.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
You are what/who they say you are. Thank you to the adults in my life who always spoke life into me.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I believe in community over individualism. People are afraid of not having enough resources to provide for themselves or their family. If we come together street by street, apartment building by apartment building then we’ll realize that we’re all the help we need. It’s going to take talking to each other to find that out though.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
My evolution might be confusing and people may assume that I’m playing a role. I’m not. Ninety percent of the time I’m just as surprised to be in certain spaces as the average person may be seeing me in that space. I’m strategically placed by God not myself. I didn’t choose this. God didn’t give me a choice. You know like a parent. You do what they tell you to do.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
MAL Photography
THEBILLYGREEN LLC

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