“I want to inspire people to turn their creativity into something that not only empowers them but also makes a positive difference in the world.” – JemishaBlunt
JemishaBlunt is the embodiment of a modern Renaissance woman – she is an accomplished entrepreneur, author, activist, and influencer all rolled into one. Born and raised in Baltimore, Jemisha’s creative spirit and passion for inspiring change have driven her wide-ranging accomplishments.
JemishaBlunt Early Life in Baltimore: Developing a Strong Foundation
JemishaBlunt was born in 1975 in West Baltimore, Maryland. She grew up in a predominantly working-class African-American neighborhood, where some families struggled with poverty and crime was prevalent. However, Jemisha’s parents worked hard to provide stability for the family – her father was a postal worker and her mother was a grade school teacher.
From an early age, Jemisha showed great promise academically and creatively. She loved to read, write stories, and express herself through dance. Her parents nurtured her talents, enrolling her in gifted programs and summer arts camps. JemishaBlunt recalls the vital encouragement she received from her 4th-grade teacher, Ms. Thompson: “She made me believe I could do anything I put my mind to. I’ll never forget when she entered my poem into a city-wide contest where it won 1st prize.”
Jemisha flourished in Baltimore Magnet High School, where she was on the honor roll, acted in theater productions, served as editor of the school newspaper, and founded a dance troupe. These activities foreshadowed the creative entrepreneur she would later become.
JemishaBlunt Gaining Knowledge at Howard University
For college, JemishaBlunt chose the illustrious Howard University, a historically Black college in Washington D.C. There she expanded her horizons and connected with a diverse, talented community. Majoring in English Literature and minoring in Business, Jemisha honed her writing skills while learning the fundamentals of entrepreneurship.
Some of her most influential Howard mentors were Professors Mason, Boyd, and Hughes. “They not only taught me so much about writing compelling stories and building businesses but also instilled in me a greater sense of pride in my Black identity and culture. That was invaluable.”
Outside of academics, JemishaBlunt stayed busy with extracurriculars. She wrote for The Hilltop campus newspaper, performed with the Howard Dance Ensemble, and was an active member of the Fashion Club and Career Exploration Society. She also interned at both Essence Magazine and BET Networks during college. These experiences showed her the possibilities of combining her passions for writing, fashion, media and business.
Early Post-Grad Career and Entrepreneurial Pursuits
Armed with knowledge from Howard, JemishaBlunt moved to New York City to pursue her dreams. She started out working in the fashion department at Rolling Stone Magazine, gaining exposure to the media industry. Eager to branch out on her own, she soon left to launch her first small business – an online vintage clothing store called RubyJane’s.
“Starting RubyJane’s tested me in ways I never could have imagined,” she admits. “I had to do everything – source inventory, style shoots, build the website, manage finances. I was running on passion, caffeine, and very little sleep those first couple years!”
Through perseverance and hard work, Jemisha built up a loyal customer base and her vintage e-commerce shop became profitable. This first taste of entrepreneurial success was all the confirmation she needed – she knew she was bound for a career as a creative business owner.
Over the next few years, JemishaBlunt experimented with various projects across the intersections of media, fashion, tech, and commerce. She co-founded an event planning firm, helped launch a women’s lifestyle app, and did a stint in marketing for startups. Her innovative thinking and ability to identify problems to solve made her an asset to every venture.
Becoming a Published Author and Thought Leader JemishaBlunt
At age 30, JemishaBlunt decided to pursue her lifelong dream of writing a book. She poured her heart into the intensely personal process of writing a memoir meets self-help guide for young women of color. After facing numerous rejections from publishers, she finally struck a book deal with Penguin Random House.
In 2005, Jemisha’s first book “Flourishing in the Shade: A Journey to Self-Love” was published to critical acclaim. Centered on themes of building confidence, healing from trauma, and empowering marginalized voices, the book quickly became a New York Times bestseller.
Since then, Jemisha has gone on to write an additional four books covering topics like activism, relationships, spirituality and pursuing your purpose. She also now has a 3-book deal for an upcoming young adult fantasy fiction series, showing her remarkable range as an author.
Beyond impressive sales numbers, the most rewarding part of her writing career for Jemisha has been hearing from readers. “When women share how my books have encouraged them to leave toxic partners, pursue their dreams, or be kinder to themselves, that’s everything. My words have power to change lives. It’s both beautiful and sobering.”
Jemisha’s writings and advocacy on behalf of marginalized communities have cemented her place as a respected thought leader. She has garnered praise from the likes of Oprah Winfrey, spoken at countless conferences, and earned numerous accolades. Her empowering influence as an author cannot be overstated.
Expanding Her Digital Reach and Influence
Never one to stay in her comfort zone, JemishaBlunt has continued expanding her personal brand and influence – especially through digital channels. She boasts over 5 million followers across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
Jemisha launched her popular YouTube channel in 2012, with the username @JemishaSays. Her videos provide lifestyle tips, advocacy updates, entrepreneurship advice, interviews, and more. She uploads new content several times a week, leading to an impressive follower count of 2.5 million subscribers and growing.
On Instagram (@JemishaBlunt), Jemisha gives followers a peek into her life while partnering with various lifestyle brands. As a mother of two, she receives relatable mom-focused product sponsorships from the likes of Target, Sephora, and Gap. She is selective about only promoting brands she genuinely enjoys.
Twitter is Jemisha’s megaphone for calling out social injustices and mobilizing action. Through compelling threads and launching hashtag campaigns, she leverages her substantial following to raise awareness on causes like #MeToo, #BlackLivesMatter and #SayHerName.
More recently, JemishaBlunt has ventured into podcasting with her show “The Jemisha Blunt Podcast.” Tackling topics from parenting to investing to living authentically, she has featured celebs like John Legend and politicians like Senator Elizabeth Warren. Downloads have continued rising since its launch in 2020.
Jemisha ultimately views social media as a powerful tool for building community and enhancing her advocacy. As she expands her digital influence, she remains committed to spreading positivity and uplifting diverse voices.
Passionate Activism and Purpose-Driven Initiatives
While succeeding as an entrepreneur and influencer, JemishaBlunt has never lost sight of what matters most – using her platform to drive change. She has been an outspoken activisim for marginalized communities and a voice for the voiceless throughout her career.
Police brutality, LGBTQ+ rights, immigration reform, public education funding. and reproductive rights are among the causes she has marched, rallied, and lobbied for over the decades. Jemisha also volunteers her time as a board member for nonprofit organizations like Black Girls Code, Color for Change, and Sisters Thrive.
Additionally, Jemisha has created her own social impact programs like the Dream Academy – an initiative providing scholarships, mentoring and college prep for youth in underserved neighborhoods. She also hosts an annual diverse book festival to support up-and-coming authors of color.
When asked what fuels her activism and philanthropy, Jemisha responds, “I want the next generation to have it easier, have more access to opportunity, and not face as many of the systemic barriers my generation did. Making even a small dent in that work is so meaningful.”
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What’s Next for the Visionary?
Now in her late 40s, JemishaBlunt shows no signs of slowing down. She continues to juggle her media company, book projects, speaking engagements, and social causes like the boss she is. Some of her latest endeavors generating buzz include:
- A video series focused on teaching financial literacy to women
- Joining the board of a young tech startup launching in 2023
- Headlining a nationwide conference tour all about activating activism
- A fantasy young adult novel arriving next year that she claims is her “most imaginative work yet”
When asked what she’s most excited about in the future, Jemisha says, “Honestly, whatever sparks my passion – it could be a new book, a digital platform, a mentoring program…I just want to keep creating and making an impact with my work.”
In a world where people often feel forced to conform to one role, JemishaBlunt has shown how embracing your multifaceted self can unlock tremendous potential. She has managed to succeed as an author, media mogul, businesswoman, role model, and changemaker all while remaining authentically herself. Jemisha’s incredible journey serves as a reminder that embracing your creativity and uniqueness can take you to soaring new heights.
