Today we’d like to introduce you to Jakera Clay.
Hi Jakera, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
What’s up y’all! It’s your girl Keraazhene. I always say Austin raised me, but Houston made me.
My content journey actually started back in college at Prairie View A&M University. I was always experimenting with my hair, and girls on campus would constantly ask, ‘Kera, can you show me how you did your hair?’ Back then, short-form content didn’t even exist, so I started making YouTube videos just for fun to show people my hairstyles.
A couple of years later TikTok came out, and that’s when I really started experimenting. I posted everything—hair, fitness, cooking, and different food spots I discovered around Houston. I loved creating, but I didn’t really know what my lane was yet.
Then one day I posted a video about Trill Burgers, and everything changed. The video took off, and I realized people genuinely wanted recommendations on where to eat and what to do around Houston.
From that point on, I leaned into becoming the creator people could come to for hidden gems, unique experiences, and places they might’ve never found on their own.
What started as me simply wanting to help people and have fun has now grown into opportunities to work with businesses, restaurants, and brands all over Houston. It’s honestly crazy to look back because I never imagined making videos in Brookeside (IYKYK) would lead me here.
Houston gave me the opportunity to build a community around something I genuinely love. Every restaurant, hidden gem, and small business has a story, and I love being able to help tell it
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not.
When I first started creating content, I was doing it purely because I enjoyed it. I didn’t know my value or realize the impact one video could have on a business.
A lot of people think content creation is just recording a quick video and posting it, but there’s so much more behind it. You’re researching, filming, editing, writing captions, learning trends, studying analytics, and trying to tell a story that makes someone want to visit that business.
One video can bring hundreds—even thousands—of people through a company’s doors, but creators don’t always get viewed as professionals. Learning how to advocate for myself, negotiate partnerships, and understand my worth has probably been one of my biggest challenges.
The good thing is there isn’t a rulebook for this career. Every opportunity teaches me something new. I’m still learning every day, and one of my favorite parts has been connecting with other creators who are always willing to share advice and help each other grow.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
‘What’s up y’all! It’s your girl Keraazhene, and y’all always asking me, ‘What can I do in Houston?’ & Honestly…I love that question.’
That’s become my signature because that’s exactly what my content is about.
I’m a Houston-based lifestyle and food creator who helps people discover restaurants, hidden gems, events, and unique experiences around the city. Whether it’s a new brunch spot, a date-night idea, or somewhere people would’ve normally driven past, I love introducing my audience to places worth checking out.
What I’m most proud of is hearing people tell me, ‘I would’ve never tried this if it wasn’t for your video.’ That lets me know I’m actually making an impact.
I think what sets me apart is that I’m always willing to learn. I listen to feedback, study what works, and I’m not afraid to highlight businesses that aren’t already viral. I genuinely enjoy helping people discover something new while also helping local businesses get the exposure they deserve.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Believe it or not, my audience has been one of my biggest resources. I pay attention to the comments because they’re always telling me what they want to see next, where they want me to visit, or experiences they’ve never tried before. A lot of my content starts with someone asking, “What can I do this weekend?” or “Where should I eat?” and I love being able to answer those questions.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://teams.cloud.microsoft/l/message/48:notes/1784816637892?context=%7B%22contextType%22%3A%22chat%22%2C%22oid%22%3A%228%3Aorgid%3Aeb2d4a1f-2096-4837-9d24-e0bd644ba2b3%22%7D
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@keraazhene?_r=1&_t=ZT-98H7TOzA6Rh
