J. Ross shares how Innervoice Media inspires creative people to use art and music for community advocacy in Auburn, California.
Listen to Jamie Ross’ full interview with Adam Torres Mission Matters Marketing Podcast.
Which mission is important to you and how did you start your journey?
Ross says her mission is to connect communities through art, music and advocacy. Giving youth a voice and an important place in the community through mentoring and agency.
“Music has been ingrained in me since I was a kid,” she says, recalling her family jamming to Jackson 5 songs. In college, she joined a slam poetry team and traveled the country performing; The experience encouraged her to find her voice, and after graduating she won a presenter’s contest. With renewed confidence, she began competing in New York moderators, worked her way up through a male-dominated industry, and eventually signed with Universal.
“As I progressed, I saw the difference between corporate America and community America,” she notes. “I ended up going back to my hometown of Auburn and started a non-profit organization called Beats Lyrics Leaders to make music with the youth.”
Tell us about Beats Lyrics Leaders.
Ross says she wanted to channel her purpose, music and art into service to her community and the communities around her. She co-founded the non-profit organization Beats Lyrics Leaders 12 years ago with two producers, which focuses on bringing talented young musicians together to provide resources and opportunities for students who need them most. “We hold three- to five-day conferences on native reservations, military academies and bases, and youth homes to give students the opportunity to recognize their voice and grow through music,” she says.
What’s your secret to truly connecting with a community?
“It’s a conversation without ego and without power,” she says firmly. “We fight with traditionalists and try to disrupt a system. I…
