Check Out Jericka Belman’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jericka Belman.

Hi Jericka, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
Hi, my name is Jericka Belman and I’m from Memphis, TN. I moved to Nashville in 2008 to attend Tennessee State University, where I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Communications. I started my dance journey at a young age but I started taking it seriously when I turned 12. I look at dance as a gift from God and how dance has really saved my life.

It kept me out of trouble and gave me something to look further into in the near future. Growing up, I admired so many good dancers and I wanted to be just like them, so I buried myself into dance to help me perfect my craft. Later on, in middle school and high school, I became captain of the teams and that’s when I knew I had a gift, a gift that I was so passionate about, and that sparked a deeper love for dance.

When I moved to Nashville, I branched off into acting because that has always been a dream of mine as well, but it has never stopped me from dancing because dancing has always been my passion. At TSU, I used to street dance and participate in talent shows along with other dancers that I met while attending college.

Shortly after I gave birth to my son in 2017, I went and got a breast reduction and started pursuing dance on a professional level in 2018. My son is my biggest inspiration. Once I got adjusted to motherhood I said to myself “Jericka you have to get back to what you came here for” and that was to follow my dreams. I hope that my drive and passion spark an interest in him someday to want to go after the things he desires in life.

It has been a humbling journey but I’m still growing and training weekly to perfect my craft. Along this journey I’ve gotten (local independent) opportunities to be in music videos, TV shows, and movies.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Its definitely been a bumpy ride.

Along this journey, I have lost my mother and both of my grandmothers back to back. They all died a year apart. It has been very hard for me and it still is now, but I know they wouldn’t want me to give up. So in remembrance of them, I continue to strive with my head held high because they didn’t raise a quitter they raised a winner.

I’ve auditioned for so many things and been handed out so many “No’s” but it has been a learning experience and I’ve learned to just enjoy the journey and embrace it. There have been so many times where I felt like I wasn’t good enough or I didn’t have what it takes, but my faith in God won’t let me give up.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an aspiring dancer and actress, and I have been chasing my dreams since I was 18 years old. I came from a Dance background mainly Majorette. Majorette dancing is where it all started for me. It was very popular where I’m from so it was actually a big thing if you were a majorette, especially being from Memphis. But I have been professionally training for the past 4 years striving to become a professional dancer someday.

Besides chasing my dreams I also give back to the community by serving as a coach for The QT Royalz Hip Hop Dance Team located here in Nashville in the Madison area. I am passionate about seeing the girls grow and fulfill their dreams as dancers because I truly believe in them. I am most known for my dancing, but besides dancing, I also do a little acting.

Acting is really my real dream, the long-term goal for my career I should say. Lately, I have been creating visuals to express my passion for both of my talents. I’m proud of believing in myself and not letting the opinions or validation of others tell me who I am as a creative. I feel like I’m in my own lane because I do what works for me and don’t follow trends.

What’s next?
In the future, I want to continue keeping God first and giving him all the Glory and I pray and hope that I am well established in my career.

I want to continue to set goals for myself and have multiple streams of income so that I can give my son something to look forward to so that he won’t have to struggle and hopefully he can learn from my ambitious ways and want to achieve and follow his own dreams as well.

I plan to open up a dance studio one day and also a beauty bar because I am also in the beauty business as well. I want to train young girls that want to become dancers and help make their dreams come true.

Contact Info:

• Email: dancetherapy28@gmail.com
• Instagram: @dance__therapy and @its_jericka
• Facebook: Jericka Denise
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2KvTgAstBqT_E6YnQfBMgQ

Image Credits
@freeman_productions_studios, @dpledgerphotography, and @motelewa