Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Jackson II.
Hi Kevin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hi, my name is Kevin Jackson II; named after the late Kevin Jackson Sr. I am a singer, model, actor, writer, creative, and podcaster. Honestly, what started me on this journey was losing my father and the trauma of enduring that. My mother and father were together for 37 years, and married for 29. Suddenly, after being married for 28 years, my parents split up and later divorced two days before my 28th birthday. My mother then got remarried two months later, and just two weeks after that, my father passed away. It has easily been the craziest and most difficult situation I’ve gone through in my life thus far, and I experienced a true whirlwind of emotions.
Before my father passed away, he told me that he wanted to support me in reaching my dreams. I have been an RN for 12 years now, and he knew that I had other hopes and aspirations for my life. After taking some time to get myself together and process the loss of him, I realized that life is too short, and I decided to pursue my true-life passions of becoming an artist. I took a temporary work assignment as a travel nurse this year in January in Los Angeles to learn all that I can and to make connections, and I will be moving back to my home in Gallipolis, OH next January.
I launched my podcast, “Kultivation w/ Kevie”, in March of this year; with a focus on self-love and self-empowerment (available on all podcast platforms and at the link in my bio on my Instagram page, @keviethedreamer.) I also am a member of the @80s90sand00svibes (on Instagram) network and will be co-launching a podcast through them called “90’s Babies” soon that highlights nostalgic content from the lens of two young adults born in the ’90s. I also have my own nostalgic network, @throbaxx, on Instagram and am working on a film project that’s slated to film in Columbus sometime next year.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As I’ve already previously mentioned, I struggled with the sudden loss of my father after grieving the also sudden loss of my parents’ relationship. I have also endured other struggles, including addressing and overcoming childhood traumas, coming to terms with and accepting my sexuality, and bearing the burden of struggling with my mental health in a work environment that is very heavy and has a lot of responsibilities. A lot of my current struggles are me just trying to get to a place where my creative and business pursuits can take the place of my 9-5.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My current day job is a travel nurse (I’ve been an RN for 12 years and a travel RN for 6 years.) I’ve worked and traveled in states such as Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Kansas, and California. My ultimate goal, however, is to leave the healthcare industry and to fully partake in my creative and artistic pursuits full-time.
As a creative, I have worked as a print and runway model for various campaigns. I’m currently a podcaster on a couple different podcasts, and I’m an aspiring singer. I have sung for as long as I can remember, since at least the age of 6. One of my earliest memories is riding along in my dad’s black Chevy truck as we’d go driving on backroads in Bidwell, OH, and singing along to Jody Watley’s “Looking For A New Love.” I’m always writing and constantly creating, and have so many different projects that I hope to one day get off the ground.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc.?
I’m big on self-empowerment, so I love a good self-help book. I also love a good memoir. I love learning about and hearing people’s stories, and applying the lessons they have learned to my own life. That’s the purpose of my podcast, “Kultivation w/ Kevie.” A really good memoir I read recently is “Finding Me” by Viola Davis. She is such an inspiration, and her story is powerful. I also love “Just As I Am” by Cicely Tyson. That’s another incredible woman with an incredible story.
Contact Info:
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- Website: https://www.keviethedreamer.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keviethedreamer/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/POEBoiKevie
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@KevieTheDreamer
Image Credits
Ariel Anne Photography
Jessica Malone Portrait
Kenzie Conley Photo
