We’re looking forward to introducing you to Jayden Blair. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Jayden, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I feel as if I’m being called to do two things, both of which have terrified me; be patient and be fluid.
I’m in a transition period right now, and so one of the struggles is learning to move on from where you were into where you’re going. It’s especially difficult when you don’t entirely know where you’re going, just that the place you left is getting smaller and smaller in the distance. It’s not a bad thing, just a new thing, and like all growth it has to be new because you’ve never experienced it before. It’s scary because I remember how difficult my last transition period was and how much worse I dealt with it, but it’s good to be able to learn, which is where the patience comes in.
The patience part comes with looking around and understanding that your time will come. There’s too much life left to live for the end of your journey to be here and now.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Jayden Blair and I am the creator and curator of Black Culture is Pop Culture. BCPC is a media/journalism publication that centers around Black culture in music and film that I started this year.
As a kid, my biggest influences always came from what I saw on the screen and what I heard through my headphones. Not only that, but the multiple debates amongst my families about which of these things were the best. Who had the better album, who had the better written story, etc. They shaped me to love all the different aspects of those art forms and even apply them to my own life. The lyrics, the dialogue, the cinematography, and the production all have come together to help form the man you see today. So as I got older and realized my passion for discussing these things along with writing I knew I needed to get it out somewhere. Once I graduated from college, and realized how difficult it is to find a job that aligns with your major, I figured I might as well put in some work of my own.
My brand is all about Black voices and expression. My main goal has always been to create a discourse around the things going on in the Black community surrounding all the areas in media and entertainment we occupy. BCPC is here to give people the space to speak their opinions freely, while also taking in other thoughsts about their favorite creatives.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
That sense of self-doubt. It’s never a good thing when the negativity in you becomes a part of your identity, but even it can have a use.
Self-doubt, or even a lack of self-love, aren’t things that come and go easily. Matter of fact, they stick with you for years to come. What no one tells you about those things, however, is that everyone has to go through their crucible. There is no escaping it, but there is the ability to gain and learn from it.
While dealing with different levels of self-doubt, it allowed to meet people at my lowest moments. People that now know me past those moments, but it always hits different when you know they’ve seen you during the bad and still choose to stick around.
On top of that, there are times where that lack of self-love gives you a gift you hear in a lot of music: the gift of expression. It gave me the opportunity to learn how to write. If I had never had those bad times or dark thoughts, then I wouldn’t be the writer I am today.
Regardless, I know that’s not me anymore. Every now and then those same thoughts try to creep back in, but the key is knowing how to deal with them. Replace the self-doubt with self-awareness and you gain love in yourself by giving more respect to yourself. It all comes with time, but it comes nonetheless.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
You are enough. You define your worth, not others. You may never hear those words from anyone else, but remember that words that are said the least, ring the loudest.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
Perspective is the ultimate key. Drawing wisdom from multiple places will always be the best form of knowledge. If you only learn from one source, that’s all you will understand. Learning shouldn’t be close-minded, but open-minded.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If immortality were real, what would you build?
I’m not sure entirely, but I know it’d be something for the people. Something that could benefit all people in some way. Maybe something like an embassy or charity drive. I know it sounds a little corny, but I genuinely mean that. If I knew I’d be alive for hundreds of years, I’d build a place or organization that is designed to keep people fed and off the streets.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://blackcultureispop.substack.com
- Instagram: blackculture.is
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayden-blair
