Daily Inspiration: Meet Stephanie Jacques

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Jacques. 

Hi Stephanie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I’m a California native from the Bay Area and was raised in a multi-racial family which highly influences the style of music that I write today. I started singing in the church like many musicians and created my first girl group in elementary school called ERSSR. Throughout my schooling, I studied opera and had a passion for musical theatre but also listened to country and pop music which I feel has fueled my creativity and ability to collaborate with artists across all genres. 

Following my high school graduation, I ended up starting college in Los Angeles then applied to Howard University located in the D.C., ending up graduating from college in Los Angeles. My music has been a bi-coastal journey that has granted me the privilege of writing for independent artists, performing the national anthem for multiple NBA teams, singing on demos, and touring as a background singer. 

This past year I’ve released a few singles and an EP called Crowded bars, and am highly passionate about the activism work that I am doing through my podcast “Jacques Talk” and other communal efforts. I feel so thankful for my multiple outlets of creativity that promote my self-expression and am beyond excited to see where it leads me. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have definitely been struggles along the way. However, I am thankful for all of them. I feel as though my struggles have been essential in my growth and development. For example, throughout my life, I have had to take odd jobs like working for catering companies, work production for tv show audiences, etc. in order to follow my dreams. 

These sacrifices have helped me understand that hard work, passion, and drive will take you exactly where you need to be. With the right mindset, struggles can turn into the most beautiful opportunities. They have taught me the importance of community and caring for yourself and others. 

For example, my odd job path led me to teaching toddler music for Jellybean Jams in a Playa Vista where I was given the space to create and collaborate more than ever before. This opportunity eventually brought me to Nashville where I have worked with some of my favorite musicians. Now I split my time between Nashville and California since the pandemic. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work? 

I’m a singer-songwriter. I create stories and allow moments in time to live. I also have a podcast that discusses race and issues that are in our communities. I am a biracial woman who wants and chooses to speak from that place. The place of honestly which is always been the basis for country music and storytelling. I’ve been lucky to sing and perform with many artists and also to write lyrics for many. Last year I wrote a song called Drake by an artist named John Tucker. I love crossing genres and letting the stories speak for themselves. My most recent release as an artists is a song called Because of That. I feel honored that CMT premiered the music video. I was so happy to see so much melanin on that TV screen. 

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I think luck is what you make it. In some ways, the pandemic was some good luck for me as awful as that sounds. It brought me back to California for a bit, lead me to creating Jacques Talk, and opened me up to writing my truths. So, I feel lucky in that way. I think when you prepare and say yes to things luck starts to happen. 

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: stephaniejacquesmusic.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/stephaniejacquesmusic
• Facebook: Facebook.com/stephaniejacquesmusic
• Twitter: twitter.com/stephiejacques
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNfEsljr62vllv7hz_PMzzw
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/15iqb10HBvF5voirAELVrG?si=SGmsqo2MQECMVLgHUMP9QQ

Image Credits
Chelsea Thompson
Nashville soccer club
LA Clippers
Cassadee Pope
Madeline Edwards
Stephanie Jacques
John Tucker