Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Diana Elizabeth Jordan. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Diana Elizabeth , we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
For me developing confidence and self -esteem is a continuing journey. It has never been I work up and now I was suddenly confident, but it was a more of a discovery of how I want to be seen. For example, when I go my doctor or if I am taking a class from someone, I would want that person (I am learning from) to be confident in what he/she/they are teaching me. I’d want a doctor who is giving me medical advice to be confident. If I am offering my skills as an actor, artist educator or director to someone I need to be confident in what I have to offer. To say for example. I think you should cast me but I am an horrible actor or please consider hiring me to do a DEIB workshop for your company but I am not any good at it, who would hire me or want to work with me. Learning to me more confident supported in building my self- esteem. This journey has not been easy and there are days when it is still hard, but I think part of having a healthy self-esteem and confidence is not feeling the need to be perfect. Allowing yourself those moments of doubt but not letting those moments define you.
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 like to define myself as a multi-hyphenate artist. Acting has and always will be my first love but over the years I have also fallen in love so to speak to directing and producing and being an artist educator. I see them all as extensions of who I am as an artist
I grew up knowing I wanted to be an actor but also knowing I wanted something more, I was diagnosed with cerebral palsy a neurological condition that mildly impacts my speech and gait. My life experiences not only taught me how to be resilient and deal with disappointments and setbacks but I also learned the power of the arts as a transformative tool to break down barriers that divide and build bridges that connect multi-marginalized communities.
I’ve had to create my own path in many ways because there wasn’t a clear path set for me but I also know I have something to offer because of the many barriers attitudinal (especially) that exist for many people with disabilities
One of the reasons I launched my Edutainment and Consulting Company The Rainbow Butterfly Cafe in 2015 was because it allows me to do all the things I love to do.
Running your own business is a constant and consistent learning journey. I, through The Rainbow Butterfly Cafe offer solo performances and performance lecture workshops that support disability equity, social justice and change. I also offer workshops and create solo shows celebrating the power of self love, acceptance and resiliency, I have offered workshops to colleges and corporations and arts organizations.
I am in the process of prepping for the fall and hopefully working with some colleges and universities. Since the pandemic I have also learned how to convert my workshops to a virtual space.
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?
The three skills that I have found to be most impactful or important are faith Not necessarily ( spiritual, although for me my faith practice is a huge part of my life) but what I mean by faith in this case is trusting when you can’t always see the results right away. Believing in your dreams and goals even when it is challenging.
Fun- You have to find moments of lightness, Things that bring you joy, It isn’t about working 24/7 but finding ways to enjoy life. My career is very important to me but so is being there for my nephews when they have activities, Having my girls nights out, rocking out to my playlists,
Love and knowing your Why. For me loving what I do and always knowing my why. When I have those difficult and challenging times remembering my why and how much I really love what I do despite the frustrations that come it is all totally worth it because I know my Why.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
I love this question of an ideal client because it depends on what I am working on for example as an actor an ideal “client” is a director, producer or casting director who is committed to featuring diverse and inclusive casting and featuring characters that represent The American Scene, as a mature disabled actor of color I bring a multi-diverse image and want to continue to be cast in roles that represent the complexities of the human spirit and condition. I want to play roles where my disability it not always the focus of the storyline but exists because it is one of many aspects of who I am
An ideal client for The Rainbow Butterfly Cafe might be an event planner committed to bringing innovative and unique programming for his/her/their next event.
Hopefully an ideal client no matter what loves their job and is as excited to work with me as I will be to work with them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dianaelizabethjordan.com
https://www.rainbowbutterflycafe.com - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromtheheartdej/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therbcafe
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianaelizabethjordan/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/fromtheheartdej
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBUyWKAcvcp3Tzl1geTigwQ
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@fromtheheartofdej?lang=en
Image Credits
Pink Dress- Abigal Ladwig Black Head Turn Variety Digital Magazine Poster- Carl Hansen
