NaKeesa Frazier-Jennings shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
NaKeesa, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Meditation, 2 cups of water, exercise, walk outside for fresh air.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m NaKeesa Frazier-Jennings, a writer, creative entrepreneur, and founder of NaKeesa Marie Enterprises. My work centers on self-care, storytelling, and community wellness. I create guided journals for kids, teens, adults, and my special edition for Black women, with a focus on gentle accountability as a compassionate approach to personal investment.
My newest book, “100 Days of Gentle Accountability for Black Women”, pairs reflective prompts with full-color portrait photography to honor the depth and diversity of Black women’s experiences. In addition to my writing, I provide consulting, coaching, and artist-management services for creatives, small business owners, and community organizations.
What makes my brand unique is its commitment to intentional, judgment-free support that helps people reconnect with themselves. I’m currently expanding the Gentle Accountability series and leading virtual book tours, workshops, and community conversations across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
There are two…my maternal grandmother and a close family friend who was like a surrogate mom to me.
Both my grandmother and surrogate mom, in their own way, instilled in me that I deserved all that life had to give. That my independent spirit was special and that I had a lot to offer the world so I should go after my dreams full steam ahead.
I was born with a strong sense of self but both of these women helped to invest in and cultivate my self-confidence so much so that I felt unstoppable.
My surrogate mom, in particular, showed me through her own life that I could fly but with her guidance, support, and encouragement, I have been able to soar!
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
That perfection doesn’t exist so don’t ever try to strive for that. Do your best. Define what your level of excellence is and work toward that. Your best is good enough.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Centering the images of Black women, writing non-fiction and opinion pieces about the Black woman’s experience and providing tools and resources to support their self-care.
I’ve been the creative director for visual art exhibits that only contain portraits of Black women and Black girls. I’ve written pieces about living as a Black woman. Finally, I wrote a self-help book specifically for Black women focusing on self-care and self-love that includes portrait photography that serves as a visual love letter to Black women.
All of these projects have received much praise and positive feedback yet none of them have been profitable however, my goal is not to get rich but rather to get them out broadly in front of and in the hands of Black women and I won’t stop until I accomplish this.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I would start working on more solo projects and going on solo writers retreats.
I would feel that working on partnerships would be a luxury I could no longer afford and I’d have to become almost reclusive so that I could get out everything that’s in my head and in my heart.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nakeesamarie.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nakeesamarie?igsh=cXh3Ymd0Mnl4bjN0&utm_source=qr
Image Credits
George Jennings
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