Meet Joenathan Banks

We were lucky to catch up with Joenathan Banks recently and have shared our conversation below.

Joenathan, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

This is something I still deal with. Every day, I’m getting more comfortable with who I am, what I sound like, and what I look like. Even the strongest people still get scared, and I’m no exception.

For me, developing confidence and self-esteem has been a journey of self-discovery. It started with learning to embrace my unique qualities and acknowledging my strengths rather than focusing on my weaknesses. I remind myself daily that my voice, my perspective, and my presence are valid and valuable.

I’ve also found that surrounding myself with positive influences—whether it’s people who uplift me or environments that encourage growth—makes a huge difference. Every small step, whether it’s completing a task, expressing myself, or overcoming self-doubt, builds my confidence brick by brick.

It’s an ongoing process, but I’ve learned that showing up for myself, even on the hardest days, is what truly makes me stronger.

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

Most definitely, my brand is Love. If you want to know who I am, I am an Entrepreneur of Black Bold and Beautiful Productions, an advertising company dedicated to empowering and amplifying voices. I am also an Award-Winning Professional Singer, Theater Actor, Professional Songwriter, and a Degreed Journalist. And can you believe I still work a nine-to-five as well? Wow.

My brand is deeply rooted in encouragement, inspiration, and positivity. That’s why I created the Black Bold and Beautiful platform—to raise the Black voice and share a message of love, unity, and strength. It’s about showcasing resilience and excellence while helping people see the beauty and boldness within themselves.

I truly love helping people. That’s what drives everything I do, whether it’s through my artistry, my business, or just connecting with others. I live by the motto: If you be kind, keep courage, and hold love in your heart, everything will be all right. That’s the foundation of who I am and what my brand stands for.

Right now, I’m focused on expanding the Black Bold and Beautiful platform, working on new creative projects, and continuing to connect with others through storytelling and performance. It’s a privilege to do what I do, and I’m excited for what’s next!

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?

My life has not been easy. Growing up was not easy. I don’t have a story of a great childhood. MY CHILDHOOD WAS ACTUALLY HORRIBLE. But despite the circumstances I grew up in, I refused to let my past define my future. My mindset was not to follow the path that society might expect of someone who experienced a horrible and abusive childhood. I decided to change the narrative.

The three most impactful qualities that helped me in my journey are resilience, self-awareness, and compassion.

For those who are early in their journey, my advice is to believe that you are more than your circumstances. Work on your mindset, surround yourself with positivity, and don’t be afraid to ask for help or seek support when you need it. You have the power to write your own story and change your own narrative. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. Keep going.

“Never stop fighting for the person that you want to become, because if you do, then that person will never exist”

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

There are just so many people—a plethora of people—that I can thank. Honestly, listing them all would take up this entire article LOL.

To narrow it down, my Parents, the Mannings, my amazing aunts and uncles, and my six incredible siblings—Trinity, Deanna, Shalynia, Tyshon, Taishan, and Devon—are my absolute hearts. My family, period, is just a backbone for me. My mentors, Susan Bradford-Kounta and Gamal Brown, have also been such incredible guides in my life.

I’m also so grateful for my Church family, my wonderful Godmothers and Godfather, my amazing friends, my extended family, and my entire community. They have been my rock, uplifting me when I’m down. I am a person who battles heavy depression, and they hold me up when I lose my way.

For them, I am most definitely and eternally grateful.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Richlooks, Columbus Ohio

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