Stepping Into Her Power with Jamia Wilson

Apr 20, 2021

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Known to many as the "next-generation feminist leader,” today we had the privilege of speaking to Jamia Wilson.

When Jamia was a child and she felt defeated, her mother would ask her what she could do to “step into her power.” By heeding this advice and sharing her mother’s passion for civil rights, Jamia has become renowned as an activist, feminist, storyteller, media maker, and natural-born thought leader.

Over the years she has been the Executive Director and Publisher of Feminist Press at the City University of New York, the Executive Director of Women, Action, and the Media, and the Vice President of Programs at the Women’s Media Centre.

As a storyteller and activist, she talks about how books shaped her views in her youth and the importance of being able to tell one’s story without persecution. As the author of several books for young readers, she speaks about her responsibility to write stories for the next generation, about her work in activism, and her friendship with fellow feminist and activist, Gloria Steinum.

We also discuss the global COVID-19 pandemic and how, in a way, we are all united in this shared experience of suffering, as well as some inspiring thoughts on hope, empathy, and the future. Tune in today!

Here’s a peek at what else we discuss:

Jamia talks about what led her to become an author.
The role of books in shaping the minds of the youth and the importance of representing the underrepresented.
Jamia speaks about the influence of her mother on her life and her passion for social justice.
The difference between a response and a reaction, both in activism and in life.
The lessons Jamia learned from investing in a law qualification that she never completed.
How she was influenced by feminist journalist, political activist, and friend, Gloria Steinem
Reflections on the global experience of suffering through COVID-19 and empathy.
She shares her plans for the future; to enjoy some of the simple pleasures she has missed.
Her new role as Vice President and Executive Director at Penguin Random House.
Jamia’s passion for the french language and culture; how this is helping her expand in the business world.

Resources:

This week’s Joy: Jamia’s joy is learning languages, but she stopped when she became busy with work. During the pandemic she started using the extra weekend time she had to start diving back into language and learning French. Shortly after that, she was asked to do a speaking engagement with a French feminist organization and she now has a couple of books that are in French and are getting translated into French.

This week’s Hustle: Jamia’s hustle is the same as her joy. Learning languages is helping her hustle because it's expanding how she’s thinking about her business in the world and allows her to work with people directly in French.

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