Today we’d like to introduce you to Ja’ki Hurst.
Hi Ja’ki, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
From deciding to run away at the age of 14, to battling thoughts of suicide, spending seven days and seven nights in a mental hospital, and eventually being diagnosed with depression and anxiety… taking you guys back to where I started would probably call for a comfy couch, some tissues, and maybe two peach margaritas to confuse our emotions. By the end of it all though, we’d probably be making a toast to how far I’ve come as an openly gay black man in this crazy world we live in.
I can proudly say, though, that “Jbluuu” initially began as a thought that randomly floated into my mind while lying in my dorm. The original thought was that it was time to go public. And in doing so, I knew I’d have to go big or go home. Especially because, with the dream I was chasing at the time, I knew I needed to stand out.
So I went blue.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Ha, that’s a question I’d like to mix up a little, because will the road ever be smooth? Based on what the world already knows about me, I’m sure you can conjure an answer to and for that. I feel like as we deal with the “struggles” in life, it’s best that we focus on the lessons learned and the tips taught. That’s always been a huge part of who I am and what I stand for: having faith and holding on to the thought process that this feeling, situation, or moment isn’t permanent.
“Just keep swimming.” Dory said it first, but when you apply it to the ocean on Earth that we walk through, you realize that those might actually be strict rules to follow for life. Because if you stop, you’ll drown.
The weight of bills, broken romantic deals, and a majority of your peers doing pills can attempt to sabotage your mental. But over the years, and gratefully continuously, I’ve acquired the survival and coping skills to surf the giant waves of unfortunate events. Whether it was a broken heart that still led to me graduating high school early, or going from couch to house, or even like now, going from house to car due to me being unhoused.
Continuing to swim and move forward, hoping for and knowing that the best will eventually come, became a part of the unasked-for routine.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’d consider my work to uphold multiple spaces. Stereotypically, I’m considered a creator, but I personally understand that with pure and fourth put intentions, anything is accessible and/or possible if you want your name attached to it or the experience is needed for your life journey checklist.
Signature points such as everything being blue and the name being spelled without an “e” — Bluuu — tie most things exposed from my hand to the world back to me. Even the afro is signature and recognizable. My natural hair has also become connected with me and my public journey throughout the recent years. There’s always a piece of me attached to whatever I’m creating, presenting, or putting my name behind.
Times and ambitions are constantly changing though. So I find it best to enjoy the now. Proudly I’ve done about 85% of the things my younger self dreamed and thought that I would’ve. That’s why at times I become stagnant. What you’ve witnessed so afar is just the beginning so if you’ve been supporting and following along continue to do. I intend on making Jbluuu bigger than then social handle, and more recognizable than just the fro.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Being that I don’t like to place myself within one specific industry, I’d say that over the next few years I definitely see the fashion world taking a turn back to the uniqueness of the early 2000s and even the late 1900s.
When I think about that era of fashion, I remember bold colors, unique swag, layers, and personality. Outfits weren’t always based on the fear of judgment, but more on the comfortability of the day, the job, or even the soul.
I also believe that the tech industry is evolving at unneeded speeds. If not, I think we could see people rioting into oblivion due to the continuous failures allowed in courtrooms when it comes to the lives of our Black men and women, or from failing to vote the wrong and right people in and out of office, knowing that their decisions determine our overall economic fate. Then, of course, there’s the possibility of something naturally unruly happening due to the ways that we continue to treat our planet.
I know those might have caught you off guard, but it was a must that I mention a few things I actually care about aside from my personal life and work.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jbluuufrmthe612/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jbluuufrmthe612?si=7NnMQXKcIgkjYGl7
