Today we’d like to introduce you to Joy Harris-Bird.
Hi Joy, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My story started with a love for words and a deep belief in the power of storytelling. As a little girl, I was always writing. I would fill up journals with poems, short stories, and scripts long before I knew what a script was. But even back then, I noticed something. I didn’t always see people who looked like me in the stories we were told. And that planted a seed.
I spent years working in healthcare and government, pouring into others while quietly holding on to my dream. It wasn’t until I walked through a season of grief, uncertainty, and faith testing that I realized storytelling wasn’t just a passion, it was purpose. I began writing children’s books that reflected identity, joy, and belonging. I wrote the stories I wish I had growing up.
That dream expanded into JoyPark Studios, a space where I now create films, animation, and content that speaks life. I use media to reflect the beauty, struggle, and soul of underrepresented voices. Projects like Bloom and Jesus and Me were born out of that commitment to tell the truth in a way that uplifts and inspires.
Getting here wasn’t easy. There were moments of doubt, rejection, and real fear. But I kept going. I kept trusting. I stayed close to the vision even when the path wasn’t clear. Every book, every scene, every script has brought me one step closer to the life I prayed for.
Today, I’m still creating. Still learning. Still growing. But I know now more than ever that I’m walking in what I was created to do.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. There have been seasons when the vision felt much bigger than my resources, and I had to learn how to keep showing up anyway. Building something from the ground up, especially as a Black woman in the creative space, has come with its own set of challenges. There were moments when I gave everything I had and still questioned if it was enough.
I’ve faced imposter syndrome, financial strain, creative burnout, and the weight of wondering if I was called to do this. I’ve heard no more than I’ve heard yes. I’ve had to navigate delayed timelines, closed doors, and moments where I truly didn’t know how things would come together.
But every struggle has taught me something. I’ve learned how to be resourceful, how to trust the process, and how to believe in what God placed in me even when things didn’t make sense. The hard seasons built endurance. The quiet seasons built clarity.
It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it. Every step, even the painful ones, brought me closer to my purpose.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a writer, filmmaker, and creative producer, and at the heart of everything I do is storytelling. I specialize in creating faith-based, culturally rooted content that speaks to both kids and adults. Through my company, JoyPark Studios, I write and produce books, short films, and animated series that reflect identity, purpose, and truth.
I’m probably most known for my children’s books like Feeling Some Type of Way and Toucan Can, as well as my short film Bloom, which explores self-worth through a garden metaphor. I also created the animated series Jesus and Me, which reimagines Bible stories through the eyes of modern-day kids, blending faith and imagination in a way that feels fresh and real.
What sets me apart is that I don’t just create content—I create soul work. Every project is rooted in intention. I write for the ones who feel unseen, the ones who are healing, the ones holding onto hope. I’m not afraid to tell the truth gently or to make space for joy, even in hard conversations.
What I’m most proud of is staying true to that mission. I didn’t wait for permission to create. I built what I wanted to see and trusted that it would reach who it needed to reach. And it has. That’s what keeps me going.
What’s next?
Right now, I’m in a season of expansion. I’m growing JoyPark Studios and taking on more animation, short films, and faith-based content that speaks to both kids and adults. I want to keep creating stories that feel real and necessary—stories that reflect us, speak life, and give space for joy and healing.
I’m looking forward to releasing more episodes of Jesus and Me and Kalifornia Dream, and I’m developing new projects that center Black women, emotional healing, and faith. A feature film is on the horizon, and I’m excited to take that next creative leap.
I’m also learning how to slow down and embrace rest while staying rooted in purpose. I’m not just creating for today. I’m building a legacy, and I trust the journey even when I can’t see the full picture.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joyharrisbird/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyharrisbird/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AllThingsJoy
