Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawn Ducré-Jackson.
Hi Shawn, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My origin story…with the option for brevity or verbosity? That’s not difficult at all! Well. I love Black people. Full stop. I’m endlessly amazed by our effortless style, profound resilience and limitless, yet often-appropriated ingenuity. That unconditional love guides my actions, informs my decisions and compels me to move with purpose and intentionality. Whether it was attending an HBCU (PVUUUUU), lending my words and gifts as a writer to social injustice, or creating Unwaveringly + Unambiguously BLACK trivia game, the commitment to honor my culture is inextricably linked to what I do. UnwaveringlyBlack is a marriage of my love for writing, trivia and yep, all things Black. Prior to the pandemic, I attended trivia nights at local bars and coffee shops. I’d invite friends to form a team, but it always bothered me how white-centered and melanin-deficient the questions were. By questions, I mean the questions and everything else including the theme, music, trivia host, actual crowd in attendance, etc, We’d end up laughing through it and fellowshipping over cocktails, but as a Black person, you’re accustomed to being an afterthought or not thought of at all. Additionally, I hosted a virtual game night for my employer and purchased a (not-to-be-named) game for us to play as a team. After literally sifting through 50 cards to find one that even remotely referenced Black culture, I was highly annoyed. So, during the sh*t show known as 2020, aka The Reckoning aka The Great Reflection. I began to reckon with this overwhelming grief and exhaustion, immediately followed by a desperate need to impact change. I gave myself space to reflect on the conflicting and intersecting emotions that come with living as a Black, lesbian woman in this country. I’ve been a tutor/content writer/ghostwriter for over 10 years, and I’ve written my fair share of think pieces on racism, representation, micro aggressions and any other DEI buzzword. After a while, it’s time to stop explaining and focus your energy inward. So, that’s what I did. I refocused my energy on making my people feel good and celebrating all the beauty of being Black, without apology or explanation. As a result, this trivia game is what poured out of me. I created a game that didn’t exist. I created the game that I wanted to play.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The writing part was easy. Launching the business also went fairly smoothly. My degree and professional background are in business, so I had the experience to rely on regarding pricing, market analysis, costs and profit margins. I also have an amazingly talented wife who handled all the things that I’m not good at — building our website, product design, and being an overall support system. The struggle is balancing my authenticity and desired anonymity with the need to have a social media presence. No one cares that I’m a functioning introvert with an aversion to Instagram, and an allergy to TikTok. Folks want and expect content, and I am still learning and navigating that ever-changing space. Ironically, hosting live events allows me to feel more authentically ME, so stay tuned for a live game coming soon!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Professionally, I’ve worked for 20 years as a retail store manager, market manager and vendor manager in various industries, including tech and fashion. I am most proud of launching the first Diversity, Equity & Inclusion program in my respective org for my previous employer. It required me to speak up when I was the only voice willing to do so, innovate, challenge the status quo and stand “unwaveringly” by my convictions. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t met with opposition, resistance and white tears, but I persisted! It has grown and scaled since my departure, and I hear from former teammates that my impact is still felt and sorely missed. One of the greatest compliments I ever received was that “she doesn’t waste her words, and she speaks when she has something to say. And what she says is both brilliant and overwhelmingly accurate.”
My greatest superpower is my knowledge. Not only because I have a deeply analytical mind and I can present difficult ideas in a relatable manner, but because I have a desire and capacity to keep learning and I am unselfish in sharing what I know. What’s intended for me is MINE, all in God’s good timing and the universe conspiring in my favor. Withholding information that may help others is counterintuitive and out of alignment with my purpose.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I tell stories with my words, but how I present myself is also a form of storytelling. I LOVE fashion and I’d describe my personal style as chic, timeless vintage with an edgy undertone. My original major at PV was fashion merchandising and design, and my dream was to be a stylist for a tv show. After a semester, I decided that a marketing degree was the more logical choice. But, I still analyze trends and designers and create “lewks” for my style and body type. Fun fact: I’m THE most budget-conscious person you’ve ever met and I don’t pay the regular price for anything!
Pricing:
- Unwaveringly + Unambiguously BLACK Trivia Game $21.99
Contact Info:
- Website: UnwaveringlyBlack.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/UnwaveringlyB
