Today we’d like to introduce you to Joi Sears.
Hi Joi, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Cincinnati, OH, right on the border of Avondale (the hood) and North Avondale (a more affluent neighborhood), which sums up the duality in my personality. I was a quiet, introverted child who loved playing alone in my room to push me out of my shell; my parents ensured I was involved in everything: ballet, theatre, horseback riding, art, violin, tennis, ski club—you name it, I did it.
I was booked and busy from a young age, even getting paid for it. I often performed with our local Children’s Theatre. I had an agent and did commercials and print work. My Summers were spent studying ballet at Alvin Ailey and the Dance Theatre of Harlem in New York City, which opened my eyes to the world beyond Cincinnati. I headed to Marymount Manhattan College on the Upper East Side of New York City for undergrad during the peak of the Gossip Girl era. I was accepted into the BFA acting program but quickly realized I wanted more. Along with friends, I founded U-ACT (United Artists of Color Theatre), producing works by playwrights of color like August Wilson and Susan Lori-Parks. This ignited my passion for using the arts as a tool for social change. Determined to deepen my practice, I earned a Master’s from NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study in “Black Arts and Social Change.” During this time, I studied with the incredible actress and playwright Anna Deavere Smith (Nurse Jackie) and worked on some fantastic events in NYC with her as her intern.
I also worked with an incredible woman, Dr. Brenda Greene (the mother of hip-hop artist Talib Kweli), on a program called “The Black Artist as Activist” at Medgar Evers College. Through this program, we curated a fantastic exhibition that invited artists from across the country to display their work at Danny Simmons’ Corridor Gallery in Brooklyn. Additionally, I had internships and performed with the Classical Theatre of Harlem, The Brecht Forum, and a brief stint at a famous theatre company called Culture Project, where I worked with Spike Lee.
After graduating from NYU, I decided to leave the city for a while and take a summer course in Amsterdam. I lived in a dorm when an unwelcome visitor, a mouse I’ve nicknamed “Fate,” forced me to move out with nowhere to go. I was signed up to perform at a local festival the next day. I felt this performance would change my life forever, and I was right. After hearing my story, two artists approached me afterward and invited me to check out their creative community in Southeast Amsterdam. It was an apartment building filled with rappers, actors, fashion designers, filmmakers, photographers, and visual artists worldwide. I knew right away that I wasn’t going back to NYC anytime soon. I spent three years in my 20s creating, performing, and living in this vibrant community. I’m pretty proud of some other things I’ve accomplished in my life: I was one of 20 social entrepreneurs from around the world chosen for a fellowship program called “The Do School,” where we worked with H&M to design sustainable packaging. I earned a Designing for Social Innovation and Leadership certificate through the United Nations University of Peace. I volunteered in rural Ghana, creating a girl’s empowerment program. I spent a summer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, studying with Augusto Boal, the creator of Theatre of the Oppressed.
I was awarded the World Summit Youth Award in Sao Paulo, Brazil, for a project called “Green is the New Gangsta.” I created a sustainable pop-up creative placemaking project called “The Green Store” in my hometown of Cincinnati, which I later presented at the Global Youth Forum in Dubai. I also served as a youth ambassador to the United Nations for several years. I became a professor teaching “Creativity, Design Thinking, and Innovation” at Miami University for five years.
These days, I’m a freelance creative, juggling various projects that align with my passion for social good. I’m the Director of Marketing and Communications for a community-based arts organization, developing a social marketing campaign for a regional suicide prevention coalition and working with various social entrepreneurs, organizations, and brands. Each day is different as I balance my professional life with homeschooling my two amazing daughters, Journi and Joelle. It’s a lot, but I love being in a position to be creative and make a positive impact on the world. Looking ahead, I dream of living and working abroad with my girls, diving into creative, purpose-driven projects that push the world forward. My journey has been filled with unexpected turns, but each step has brought me closer to my true purpose: creating, inspiring, and making a difference.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not! The road has been anything but smooth, but those bumps and detours have taught me some of the most valuable lessons. One of my biggest failures—and most challenging experiences—was being banned from Europe. After living in Amsterdam for a while, I returned home. However, during my departure, immigration in the Netherlands discovered I had overstayed my visa. They told me I was banned from Europe for a year and stamped my passport with a big red “X.” By then, I had already given up my apartment in Harlem and was forced to move back in with my family in Cincinnati.
While I was home, I learned about a program called The Do School. It invited 20 social entrepreneurs from around the world to an all-expense-paid trip to Hamburg, Germany, to work with H&M on designing their first sustainable retail store. It seemed like a long shot, but I applied and was accepted. I packed my bags and headed to Germany, excited for this opportunity.
But I never made it. I was stopped by immigration in Frankfurt and reminded that I was still banned from Europe. Despite my protests and explaining the importance of the opportunity, I was detained at the airport for three days. Eventually, an armed police officer escorted me through the airport and onto my plane home. Missing out on this opportunity plunged me into a deep depression.
But from that low point, I found the strength to try again. I reapplied for The Do School program the following year and was accepted again. This time, I traveled to Germany without a hitch and had a fantastic experience designing sustainable packaging for H&M.
This experience taught me that life can get tough, and it might feel like everything is falling apart. But there’s no shame in starting over, trying again, failing, or falling apart. What truly matters is how you get up, bounce back, redirect, reenergize, and keep going.
Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your work.
On the expressive side, I channel my creativity to express thoughts and feelings through the arts. I’m particularly fascinated by the intersection of art, technology, and science—especially nature and sustainability. Recently, I’ve exhibited AI-generated art in a series addressing themes like motherhood, Afrofuturism, and nature. Looking ahead, I want to delve deeper into technology and visual arts.
I’m also rediscovering my love for theatre and the performing arts, with aspirations to publish and direct plays. My work is often recognized for my keen eye for design and aesthetics and my ability to blur the lines between different forms of creative expression. I think expansively about what the arts can be, constantly pushing boundaries and exploring new frontiers.
What sets me apart is this dual passion for inventive and expressive creativity. I’m not just about creating beautiful designs or compelling art; I’m about using creativity to make a meaningful impact and solve real-world problems. I’m proud that my work spans various disciplines and combines diverse elements to create something unique and impactful.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is to design your life on your terms. You don’t have to settle for a 9-5 job you hate. You have the power to pursue work that you love, fulfilling you and making a difference in the world. Whether working from your bed or the beach, you can harness your creativity and voice to create meaningful impact. I’ve realized that you can start something new, challenge the status quo, and dismantle systems that oppress you. You are free to be whoever you want to be and do whatever you want to do. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. This journey has taught me the importance of authenticity, resilience, and carving out your path—no matter how unconventional it may seem.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://4freepeople.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/4freepeople/
