Shontae Jackson shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Shontae, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I am walking a path, before my mental health journey, I know was wandering. There was this space I existed in where I felt like the life I wanted was right on the other side, I just did not know how to get there. Once I started being open about my mental health journey, once I created Subliminal Dreamz I feel like the path became more obvious, easier to get to and easier to travel. Now when I look back the side I fought to leave does not appear as it used to, but as a distant place I no longer have access to.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am the illustrious CEO\Founder of Subliminal Dreamz Inc the leading 501c3 Community Behavioral Non-profit organization in Jacksonville Fla with the accolades to prove it. I am a boisterous community advocate with a passion and voice that reigns near and far. I oversee the day-to-day functions of NPO (non-profit organization) and our community program The T.R.I.L.L (Teaching Real Innovative Life Lessons) Project which serves a community-based program to help students, parents and educators, before, during and after school. I work closely with city officials, health departments and agencies, schools, and other community agencies, to organize community events, I am in charge of community partnerships and collaborations. I oversee the annual reports and business expenses. I oversee the recruitment of board members. I advocate vehemently in the community for Proclamations; 11/3 is known as Youth Homelessness Awareness Day in Duval County related to youth and their overall protection. I currently working on a bringing awareness to needs of youth in relation to homelessness, food and clothing insecurities across Duval County, Florida.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
There comes a time in all our lives where we must leave as situation in doing so, we never know the outcomes even if we plan, we still can absolutely predict the outcome. in 2019, when I lost everything and I was homeless, I did not expect anyone to stop what they were doing, life has to continue right. Yet it was in this moment, when a person steps outside of pride and ask for help, and people start to tell you that there help come and came with conditions; how do you adjust to that. How do you pivot your mindset to thinking a way that challenges how you interact with others? In a moment when a person really needs help and when I would ask for help putting their pride to the side, no one should take that as an opportunity to exploit someone, or use them for their benefit, and that changed me and changed how I viewed the world. We all had darkness and light in us, which ever one we choose to stand in is the one that will rule our thoughts, behaviors and interaction we one another, and I just had to learn how to step out of my own darkness and do better.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
Honestly, I didn’t think I would stop hiding my pain; not because it was easier to; but because it seemed like the right thing to do. It wasn’t until I started volunteering and managing my non-profit that I created a safe space for them to be vulnerable; I was becoming vulnerable as well. I realized that in order to help people see or understand the concept of mental health I had to become a few things first. That was transparent, honest with myself, and my relationship with God. There was no way I could tell my story without God, but how can you bring religion to people, it such a touchy subject. So that is when I understood being transparent was about my own experiences not about the masses, and second being honest with myself because sometimes being openly vulnerable about certain experiences invites in other people’s feedback and opinions; so, I had to make a choice don’t manipulate the story no matter how it makes you look to others. Once I understood this, I began to speak authentically and genuinely, and it has allowed me to empower myself and so many others experiencing similar mental health related trauma’s, such as homelessness, addiction, promiscuousness, relationship and family traumas.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
That everyone has the ability to do something, it is their sole responsibility to show otherwise. Meaning, we have the ability to steal, kill, cheat, lie, do illicit things when we feel others are not watching; but what do we do when no is watching? Do we tell the truth still? or do we bend the truth when other come around? Do we steal because we think we won’t get caught, or do you pay for everything you want and need in life? If the opportunity presented itself for you to cheat, whether on paper, on a person, in a hypothetical way, would you? or would you remain loyal no matter what? We are all human capable and incapable of doing some honorable and dishonorable things. It’s all about how we want to be perceived, portrayed, and received by others that well reveal the extent to which our abilities will go. I believe we work through not possessing those abilities while others embrace.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
The story of the girl who conquered her mental health dragon. The story of a girl who thought she was not supposed to be here, who later became the woman to slay her dragon and help so many others slay their own dragons. Mental health recovery has had such a huge impact on my life, I have to share with others, I have to help our young people who are struggling and my story will tell people to seek hope always, to keep pushing through despite of; but most importantly, you grow through what you go through; the moment you stop growing, you are not living anymore. So, I lived for me and for others, out loud in the light.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.subliminaldreamz.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/subliminaldreamz
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/subliminaldreamz
- Twitter: https://x.com/subliminal4life
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SubliminalDreamzInc
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/subliminal-dreamz-jacksonville-2
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY0SvhtL41BTS64SgkOhq5w
