Meet Jade Curley

We recently connected with Jade Curley and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jade , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

HI, 🙂 I feel I found my purpose through love, surfing and skateboarding. I love all of these things so much. With love I can give back, that is my number one purpose on this planet. Giving back the love that has been given to me to share with the world is one way I have found my purpose. Surfing has brought me deeper into my purpose because it grounds me, and humbles me to know that there is something bigger than all of us that gives us all purpose. Skateboarding helps me release fear, and to not be afraid to live in my purpose.

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’m from Los Angeles, California an eighties baby. I was raised in Los Angeles, and Chino Hills in the Inland Empire. I’m currently working in the film industry as a Technocrane Technician, and as carpenter when I have the extra time to hon in on my skill. Growing up I didn’t relate to my peers, and was always different. I grew up a queer athlete. I started skateboarding at eight followed by baseball til I was fifteen. I am a two time cancer survivor, I still skateboard, and surf currently. I identify as an entity a bright light. My gender identity is Transgender/non binary, my pronouns are He/him, and They/Them.

I’m a black queer, surfer, and skater. I feel most excited, and special that I’m a volunteer/ mentor with a non profit by the name of Concrete Queenz. It’s so special because Concrete Queenz is a nonprofit that brings skateboarding and community to underserved girls in South LA through after-school skateboarding programs, trips to local skateparks, and collaborations with other organizations for workshops that support mental health and future college and career options. Our mission is to create a safe and inclusive space for girls to learn and practice skateboarding, while also building valuable life skills such as leadership, teamwork, and communication. We provide free, after-school skateboarding programming once per week per school site with an accessible and inclusive structured model for physical sports activity and resilience-building. This year we have expanded to another school in Compton that we are so excited about as we expand, and bring skateboarding to young underserved girls in South LA. We have an event coming up for one of our schools on Oct. 30th at Monitor Skatepark in Compton, CA. that we are excited about along with other events coming up into next year.

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 on my journey three qualities that were most impactful for me is my resilience, my optimism, and my perseverance. My skill to listen, and learn has got me farther than any book or school. My advice to folks who are early in their journey is to trust themselves, believe in themselves, to be persistent, and consistent. Have a positive attitude, and build an impeccable character. Stay genuine, true to yourself, and always be yourself.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

My parents have been the most helpful in helping me overcome challenges, build character, have impeccable essential skills, and qualities. They provide a safe home built from love, safety, and wisdom which allowed me the knowledge I needed to be successful in life. My parents taught us discipline , and to be the best at whatever is I’m doing, and not to do it if I didn’t have good or the right intentions for doing it. So now I put my heart into any and everything I’m doing. They have always told me that I could be whatever I wanted to be since I was young. I always had the support to express myself as an individual. Being able to just be free helped me overcome my challenges because I was able to live in my authenticity which has brought success throughout my life. I’m grateful for my parents because they keep it real with me, and I have the choice to decide what is best for me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: jbcfresh@instagram ConcreteQueenz@instagram

Image Credits

Sara Werner