Meet Ezra Jones

We were lucky to catch up with Ezra Jones recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ezra , appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
Resilience is an acquired skill. I think in general you find resilience when you learn to accept things as they are. I know that sounds simplistic and maybe even a little bit harsh. However, the thing is that you cannot change the past and no one truly knows what the future holds. So all we really have are our present moments. These moments are fleeting and so we must choose to be, we must choose to live and be aware of the present. In choosing we make significant change. The choices we make today are what defines what our future may hold for tomorrow. It is the sacrifice of instant gratification for something greater.

I am not certain that I chose resilience or rather that it was thrusted upon me. In my lifetime I have endured a number of defining moments. From surviving a horrific car wreck. At the time I can honestly say I was disappointed having lived through. I didn’t cause the car wreck and I fell asleep at the wheel from pure exhaustion. It was a time when I was a “People pleaser.” I was trying to please everyone and I put myself on the back burner. I was concerned for everyone and about everything but myself. Suicidal thoughts ran through my head. I questioned God and literally asked “Why didn’t I die?” I had more pressure perhaps surviving the accident than if I would have died. I will never forget being in a hysterical, tyrannic rant screaming “you don’t understand….you don’t understand” in repetition. Meanwhile the strangers around me were concerned for my safety.

My fear then was how disappointed my father would be. He always cared about his vehicles and inanimate objects. True to life when I finally returned home my fears were realized. The first thing my father said to me was not asking how I was or if I was okay but “Is the car okay?” In that instant, I shut down I recognized the reality of where my father’s priorities lay. It was not with the safety and concern of his youngest child but with the concern of things. This coupled with my low self esteem and yearning for approval broke my spirit. I felt worthless and unvalued.

Then there was the sexual assault, followed by the discovery of having contracted the deadly virus HIV. I was immediately told that I would not live past ten years. I have even at one point in my lifetime been held at gunpoint and ironically it was the least scary of the majority of my experiences. I still remember the incident. It plays like a slow motion film when I think about it. I wasn’t in fear of dying though, I did not think I would die, all the while knowing my life was in fact in danger.

My most recent challenge is now embracing where my health is today. A few months ago I was strongly advised by my doctor to go to the emergency room for concern that my body would give out. My antibody counts were significantly low, my body was malnourished and I had been experiencing extreme digestive issues for over a year. If you don’t already know your health is in your gut. I was losing nutrients and had low metabolic levels that could have easily lead to immediate heart failure without notice. I am still currently working on getting back to whatever normal is. I weigh in on average at a whopping 115 pounds which I cannot seem to get above. I have not been this thin since childhood. I stand at 6 feet and 2 inches so it is pretty alarming to say the least.

What I know to be true is that all situations and circumstances whether good or bad; they are only temporary and they will pass. Things can always of course be better but that can also be much far worse. I choose to be content with where I am today. I choose to live in the reality of the present. The past is already gone and the future can be put off until tomorrow. What I have for certain is now, today. Today is all we can make the best of. I get my resilience from the experiencing of living each day as it is.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a Brand Consultant and Publicist, Founder of the five star rated multimedia conglomerate the Fstate. The Fstate creates buzz turning clients into diverse fashion brands. The company operates in multiple media industries such as print, audio, video, online and digital media. the Fstate has subsidiaries that produce content across various mediums and distribution channels.

The Fstate is dedicated to promoting and advancing the initiatives of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC.) Our agency’s primary focus is to increase awareness, understanding and acceptance of BIPOC – led initiatives among the general public and targeted audiences. We aim to help clients develop and execute effective communication strategies, ranging from traditional media relations to digital media. Our team of experts work with clients to develop messaging, identify key culture influencers and secure media placements.

The Fstate subsidiaries include: the theFstate Magazine (www.thefstatemag.com – a print, digital, audio and video publication dedicated to elevating BIPOC voices, empowering change.), the Black Agents Network (blackagentsnetwork.com – a professional trade network and organization supporting Black agency owners connecting brands and advertisers to trailblazer’s engaging audiences), and Culture Fashion Week (culturefashionweek.org – a nonprofit dedicated towards highlighting the PROFITABILITY & influence of DIVERSITY in the Fashion Industry.)

Our market is culturally diverse clients, organizations, emerging and medium sized businesses and entities that prioritize equity and diversity. We differentiate ourselves by diversifying client stories, leveraging our deep understanding of cultural issues to create meaningful connections with broader audiences. A specialized – service agency that seeks to develop, manage, represent and promote Black Talent and Indigenous people of color in the fashion and beauty related industries. We empower clients and give them a platform to showcase.

Services include:

1. Scouting – actively seeking talent.

2. Development – we work with clients to develop their skills and prepare them for the industry. We provide image consulting and professional training on the business of branding and effective communication.

3. Management – we provide ongoing support manage bookings, negotiate contracts, and and provide career advice.

4. Placement – we work with clients to find opportunities to work with top brands, magazines, event showcases, advertising and public relations agencies. We leverage extensive industry connections and expertise to secure the most beneficial and aligned opportunities for clients.

As of September 2021, the global fashion industry was valued at approximately 2.5 trillion US dollars. The industry faces challenges due to rapidly changing business environment. Consumer preferences evolve, and the industry adapts to meet changing needs. Many consumers are seeking sustainable, personalized, and convenient experiences, which the Fstate provides.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back three areas of knowledge that were most impactful in my journey are communication, fashion merchandising and management. For those that are starting out early in their journey they can improve communication by learning and utilizing basic skills such as reading, writing and speaking. I encourage those interested in a fashion career to work at a clothing retailer. Working for a clothing retailer will give insight to the importance of service along providing management skills. This type of environment has a focus on time and people management. It emphasizes team work and community values as well as merit driven reward processes.

How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?
A particular challenge that our agency currently faces is acquiring high quality talent to meet the requirements for our internship program. Individuals often are enamored by the glitz, glam and perks of the fashion industry. While it is certainly true that the industry can be glamorous there is definitely a lot of work that goes into creating those memorable experiences. We seek individuals that share our ethos and have a strong work ethic. We are currently seeking fashion interns. Responsibilities may included assisting designers, preparing for fittings and presentations, researching trends, filing and organizing, assisting during photo shoots, assisting with daily tasks, operations and projects. Interested applicants must email their resume to [email protected] with the subject line fashion internship for consideration.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Models: Kwabena Wordie Jr. , Shaun Covington, Dubem Onwumere, Corey Robinson Wardrobe Stylists: Ezra Jones, Aisya Washington Photographers: Ezra Jones, Natha Pasha Creative Director: Ezra Jones

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