In episode 7 of The Beauty We Love, I interview creative director and writer, Kendra Jones. Kendra and I first met as freshman year roommates at NYU in the early aughts, and we’ve been friends ever since.

In this conversation, we touch on the value of vulnerability and sensitivity, as well as how to find courage in the midst of challenges and new beginnings.

Kendra shares her experience as a creative in the advertising industry, working her way from a temp role to many years later becoming a creative director. 

She speaks candidly about the challenges and eventual triumphs that come from being different from many of her industry colleagues, whether that’s being sensitive, being introverted, or being Black. 

Mentorship plays a role in this discussion; Kendra shares what she’s learned from both her grandmother and her working relationship with Ruth Carter, the costume designer for Black Panther. Kendra shares her advice as a would-be mentor to her younger self. 

“Fear less, love more” is a motto that’s meaningful to her, and in this interview we learn how that sentiment has supported Kendra in achieving the success she has today. Kendra shares from her lived experience on how to replace fear with excitement, gratitude, and curiosity. 

If you’ve ever felt like a lone wolf in your industry, if you often find yourself in rooms where nobody else looks like you, or works the way that you do, then this episode might be for you. 

Subscribe to Kendra’s Youtube Channel: BlackAndBlueTube

Follow Kendra on IG: @hereiskendra