Rising Stars: Meet Jacinta White

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacinta White.  

Hi Jacinta, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started my poetic journey many moons ago which really had more meaning to me when my father passed. After that experience, I had a personal understanding of how poetry can help with the healing journey. I wanted others to know the power of poetry and started The Word Project. Years after that, I launched, Snapdragon: A Journal of Art & Healing — a quarterly journal publishing creative nonfiction, poetry, and photography from those around the world. 

Through group facilitation, 1:1 coaching, and creating space, art becomes a catalyst for self-discovery and community healing, 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It most certainly hasn’t been a smooth road :-). As an artist and entrepreneur, the vision may be clear but access to funding and the business side can come with roadblocks. There’s also the challenge of managing your time — individual writing vs. all it takes to run a business. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
In addition to running The Word Project, I am also a published poet. My latest collection, Resurrecting the Bones: Born from a Journey through African American Churches & Cemeteries in the Rural South, is what I’m most proud of to date. The project began from a place of pure curiosity, and thankfully others have found the work of interest and moving. That has led me to offer writing workshops on place and ancestry. 

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was a quiet child who loved her time alone. I was observant — I loved soaking in what was going on around me. I was always curious and made up stories in my head about what was happening. Growing up, my mother was a teacher, and academics were important, though I wasn’t that much a fan of school like my older brother was. I was also a “Daddy’s girl” and a “PK” (preacher’s kid). 

Contact Info:

• Website: jacintawhite.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacintavwhite
• Other: http://www.poetryheals.com

Image Credits
Kristen Bryant