Meet Jewel Ifeguni

We recently connected with Jewel Ifeguni and have shared our conversation below.

Jewel, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?

I get my optimism from gratitude — and from my roots. I was born in Nigeria and came to America when I was very young. From the start, my family instilled in me the belief that the future is limitless and that with faith, hard work, and gratitude, anything is possible.

As the oldest child, I understood early on that my perspective mattered — that how I chose to see the world could influence those around me. That sense of responsibility taught me to lead with light and optimism, even in uncertain times. It’s a mindset that carried me through being the only Black woman in tech spaces and later building my own media company at 19.

Since then, I’ve led productions for award-winning documentaries and VR films, and I’ve made it my mission to travel the world speaking to the next generation, helping them believe they can make every day a “Yay.” I also make it a personal goal to practice levity — to find joy in singing, dancing, and creating, because I’m a full creative at heart.

For me, optimism is a choice. Every day isn’t easy, but every day we wake up is another chance to be grateful — to shift our perspective, find the joy, and approach life with purpose and light. That’s the heartbeat of Every Day is a Yay — living with gratitude, creativity, and joy, no matter what life brings.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m Jewel Ifeguni — the Creator and Host of Every Day is a Yay, and an Actor, Filmmaker, and Founder of YouMatter Studios — a creative production company using storytelling and joy to build community and representation in media. Every Day is a Yay is both a talk show and a movement that celebrates creatives, leaders, and changemakers who are redefining success and optimism on their own terms. Since launching, the show has ranked #1 on CANTV, earned over 130K streams, featured 70+ interviews, and produced sold-out live events that blend performances, panels, and community experiences.

Before stepping fully into entertainment, I was a trailblazer in tech and gaming. My first role out of college was at Xbox, where I became the first college hire for a small team called Gaming for Everyone. There, I helped equip the organization to produce inclusive projects and equitable game-development systems, ensuring diverse players and creators were authentically represented. I later joined Minecraft as a Technical Program Manager, while also serving as an on-camera host for their YouTube segment Blox Buzz on Minecraft Now. I also worked as a Creative Producer for the Marvel x Minecraft Wakanda Forever: Microsoft MakeCode activation and became one of the youngest hosts of the Black in Gaming Awards — moments that reinforced my passion for representation and storytelling.

That balance — working in tech by day and filmmaking by night — inspired me to create my brand, Every Day is a Yay, a platform for creative changemakers centered on joy, empowerment, and self-determination. I’ve always believed in building my own table rather than waiting to be invited to one, which is why I focus on producing my own work and creating opportunities for others.

Through YouMatter Studios, I’ve led award-winning productions including The Drive VR — an immersive film re-enacting a police pullover from three perspectives, finalist at France’s 360 Film Festival and winner of Indie Film Night — and How We Got Here, an award-winning docu-series that earned me the Black Excellence Award for Digital Media. I also produced and starred in Series of Events, a five-part anthology short film filmed in Chicago that’s now on its film festival run, and recently released my latest single, “Not My Blood,” on all streaming platforms.

Most recently, I graduated from Black Box Acting Academy’s 100-day conservatory, which deepened my craft as an actor and reaffirmed my purpose as a storyteller. This winter, I’ll be making my musical theatre debut in RENT with TheHome Creative Company — an exciting new chapter in my journey as a performer. Whether I’m producing, performing, or mentoring, my mission remains the same: to create with joy, amplify diverse voices, and help others believe that they, too, can make every day a “Yay.”

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?

1. Production & Project Management – Dreams Don’t Work Unless You Do!
Learning how to produce and manage projects has been one of the most empowering skills in my journey. It taught me how to take ideas from concept to completion — not just dream, but do. This skill helped me launch Every Day is a Yay, run productions through YouMatter Studios, and lead creative teams with confidence. My advice: don’t wait for permission or perfect resources. Start with what you have and trust that your community will grow around your consistency and action.

2. Networking & Community Building
Community has been the heartbeat of everything I do. But it didn’t just appear — I had to step out of my comfort zone, show up authentically, and connect with people who shared similar purpose. Networking often gets a bad reputation because people treat it as transactional. For me, it’s about creating together. As Issa Rae once said, “Build across.” That means connecting with the people around you, not just looking up. Build with those in your orbit — they’re often the ones who will grow with you.

3. Joy & Optimism
Joy has been my anchor and optimism my armor. The entertainment industry — and life — will always have challenges, but I’ve learned that failure isn’t final; it’s feedback. Choosing joy and gratitude, even when things fall apart, has made me resilient. I’ve learned to shift my perspective quickly, find the lesson in the loss, and keep creating with purpose. Optimism isn’t about ignoring reality — it’s about believing that light always follows the dark.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Absolutely! I’m always looking to connect with creatives, storytellers, and brands who are passionate about building meaningful art and community. Right now, I’m developing an upcoming coming-of-age series and looking to collaborate with producers and writers who want to bring authentic, purpose-driven stories to life.

As an actor and filmmaker, I’m also open to joining projects that align with creativity and impact — whether that means performing, producing, or helping amplify stories that inspire. Through Every Day is a Yay, I love interviewing creatives and changemakers to share their journeys, and I’m also open to sponsorships and partnerships that help expand this mission.

At the end of the day, I believe collaboration is where the magic happens — so if you’re passionate about storytelling, community, and creating something bigger than yourself, let’s make magic together! You can connect with me through my socials @jewelifeguni

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Main Photo: GoldenLYT Photography, LaTosha Pointer
BTS for Film: BlkDavinci, CC Lawhon
headshot with purple background: Ian McLaren photography

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Productivity
From Exhausted to Energized: Overcoming and Avoiding Burnout

Between Hustle Culture, Work-From-Home, and other trends and changes in the work and business culture,

Productivity
Keeping Your Creativity Alive

One of the most challenging aspects of creative work is keeping your creativity alive. If

Resilience
Portraits of Resilience

Sometimes just seeing resilience can change out mindset and unlock our own resilience. That’s our