Jocelyn's Open Book:
The Pivot
A layoff can throw even the most seasoned person into a tailspin. Being the go-getter that she is, Jocelyn took that experience and flipped it into a chance to grow and prepare for her future.
Open Book is a series shining a light on the work, lives, and thoughts of the interesting people we cross paths with. You never know, you may make a new friend in the space one day.
This interview has been edited for clarity and concision.
Interview by Michelene Wilkerson; Edited by Branda Ayo; Photography by Katherine Pekala.
Pivoting After Setbacks
This chapter of my life is all about the pivot. I started working in music, thinking that was my future. I began at NPR, moved to music management, and eventually found my passion in event production. However, after being laid off, I realized I needed to find stability. Now, I’m an Event Director at another events company. I’m figuring out which aspects of events I love the most. Is it production, concerts, or human events? I’m still exploring, but the journey has been enlightening. I call this chapter ‘The Pivot’ because it’s about embracing new directions and opportunities. I had to pivot from music to events, and even within events, I’m still finding my niche. It’s a continuous process of discovery and adaptation. The need for stability played a significant role in my decision-making, especially thinking about my future goals like having a family. Working in PR and music as a freelancer didn’t provide the security I needed, so I had to find a path that offered more consistency and long-term potential.
Embracing Change and Trusting Myself
It became undeniable that I needed to make a change. When I was doing PR and working with drill music artists, everything just stopped working. Opportunities stopped coming in, and it was clear that it was time for a shift. As soon as I pivoted to something else, things started flowing again. Despite the positive attention from media outlets and brands, I knew deep down that it wasn’t right for me anymore. It was hard to give up on that and move on, especially with so much backlash from people questioning my decisions.
I worked at Google for two years and didn’t tell anyone. I wanted to avoid the negativity and constant questioning about my choices. It was easier to let people think I wasn’t doing anything significant. But when I eventually updated my job description on LinkedIn, people were surprised and reached out, impressed that I had been working at Google. This experience taught me the importance of believing in myself and tuning out the noise from others.
Too often, when you share too much with too many people, their voices start to crowd your own. I had to learn to listen to myself and be comfortable with my decisions without seeking validation from others. The fear I felt came from letting too many outside opinions influence me. By centering myself and trusting my intuition, I found the confidence to make changes that felt right for me.
Good Comes Around
When I was laid off from Google, it was a tough time, but the love and support from my community lifted me up. Even in my professional life, the connections I’ve made and the positive energy I’ve put into my work have opened doors I never imagined. People show up for my events, they support my vision, and they inspire me to keep pushing forward. It’s a reminder that the good you put out into the world really does come back around. I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is to have a community that believes in you and wants to see you succeed. It makes all the difference, and it’s something I’m incredibly grateful for every day.
My Village
Support, to me, is about having people who listen and understand me. My boyfriend is my biggest supporter, always there to listen and give advice. I have a team of all Black women who help with everything I do. Their support is invaluable. They surprise me with their love and dedication, showing up for me even when I don’t expect it. It’s this network of support that keeps me grounded and motivated. Authentic support means being there, listening, and understanding. My boyfriend, for instance, supports me by being my sounding board. I have a lot of ideas and often second-guess myself, so having someone to talk to and get feedback from means a lot to me.
My team of amazing Black women are always going out of their way to make me feel loved. They not only help me professionally but also provide emotional support. They recently surprised me with plans and celebrations for my birthday, showing me how much they care. This kind of support system is essential, especially when navigating changes and challenges in both personal and professional life. It’s about having people who genuinely care and are willing to go the extra mile for you.
Additionally, my immediate family, especially my brothers and my mother, are a constant source of support. They always show me a lot of love and pour into me, which is something I deeply value. My cousins, particularly one who is like a sister to me, have been living with me for four years. We are incredibly close, and her support means a lot to me. I also want to shout out, the people who support my events, even those I don’t know personally, are significant to me. They show up, support my work, and inspire me to keep going. Balancing this wide network of support, both personal and professional, has been crucial to my growth and success.
Preparing for The Future
You make a confession to yourself, man, and next thing you know, you’re a whole different person. It’s like you just have to be 100% committed to what you’re doing, no matter what. But it’s hard. It’s not something that you can just say, Just do it, and then everything falls into place. There are so many driving forces.
That’s why I’m going back to my original thought: thinking about all of this stuff now and making these changes while I’m still comfortable with it. It’s important because when I have kids and a family, I’m not going to be able to make these types of changes in the same way. It won’t be all about me anymore. I had to think about those things now.
I want to make sure I’m in the best possible position when it’s time to have kids. I don’t want to feel like I need to make drastic changes at that point. I want to be comfortable, happy, and persistent in what I’m doing. This preparation now ensures that I’m ready for the future without having to disrupt everything later. It’s about laying the groundwork now so I can build a stable and fulfilling life for myself and my future family.