Life & Work with Jeshiqua White

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeshiqua White. Them and their team share their story with us below:

Jeshiqua White, a New York native, transitioned to Nashville in February 2018. She has always had a passion for helping individuals since the early age of fourteen years old. Jeshiqua, best known as J is a social worker at heart and a natural leader. She is not afraid to go the extra mile to ensure the success of a project, the process, and the team involved. Jeshiqua is a fearless woman who takes steps towards growth and change, even when she doesn’t see the full staircase. She is ambitious, goal-oriented, selfless, compassionate, and genuinely cares about the world around her.

Jeshiqua has obtained her Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) from Silberman School of Social Work (Hunter College), in New York City. Since obtaining her MSW, she has hit the streets running — eager to be the change she wanted to see in her community! Since her transition to Nashville, she has created a Music and Mental Health awareness project (Beauty and the Brain) with the focus on removing the stigma associated with mental health, suicide, and receiving therapeutic services while in the music industry.

Jeshiqua later created her newest project, Project Love Strong. Her vision for this project is to show continuous selfless love and support to all in need without pre-judgment. The goal is to create awareness about the underprivileged and homeless individuals that are in our neighborhoods and states while creating resources and long-term hope and hands-on help for them until better is available.

Jeshiqua has become involved with amazing community organizations in Nashville. She served as Co-chair of the Health Committee Executive Board with the Nashville Branch NAACP. She has had the pleasure of meeting the Executive Director of NAMI Tennessee, to broadcast Beauty and the Brain. Jeshiqua has also had the opportunity to do an amazing interview with News Channel 5, one of the first media outlets to cover her first homeless outreach project (Hoodies for the Homeless in Nashville 2018).

Since 2018 PLS has hosted 11 street outreaches; Hoodies for the homeless 2018, 2019, 2020, Tees & Teas 2019, 2020, 2021, and a 2 day North Nashville, TN Tornado relief, 2020. In 2020, PLS also provided street outreach in Los Angeles, CA, and Denver, CO. In October 2021, Project Love Strong was blessed to provide outreach internationally in Downtown Montego Bay, Jamaica. They provided brand new pots, over-the-counter medications, and essential bags to distribute to the unhoused and underserved individuals.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it has not been a smooth road, however, it has been a humbling road. Serving individuals who are seen as eyesores is very difficult. The reality is that most people do not care about those who are homeless. Trying to raise awareness and remove the stigma associated with homelessness is the biggest struggle.

Lack of resources and concern within the state is also a big struggle. There can be a problem but without appropriate resources, and people of power to actually help eliminate that problem, the problem will continue to occur if not grow larger.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Currently, I am employed at an agency that provided supportive and legal services to those who are deemed vulnerable around the state of TN. I like to consider myself a change agent, and a social worker at heart. I have been in the giving capacity since the age of 14 and I always knew that I would be someone who would be providing services to those in need. I am probably known for going the extra mile or giving more to others than myself.

I am most proud of starting a profit organization. It was a definite leap of faith and a completely new approach to the nonprofit field. What I believe has set me apart from my peers, would be my decision to go nonprofit over a traditionally profitable business.

We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Outside of the nonprofit organization, I am a serial entrepreneur. I love to craft, cook, and provide health and wellness products to myself and others as a form of self-care and peace for myself. Working with a challenging population can be very taxing, so my other hobbies are my other outlets of giving back.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.projectlovestrong.org
• Instagram: @project_love_strong
• Facebook: Project Love Strong
• Youtube: @projectlovestrong

Image Credits
Ray De Pietro and Sekou Writes