For Women’s History Month I will be sharing the stories that define and provide examples of women empowerment, uplifting stories of personal triumph and businesses that are inspiring and are making a difference for women. Women’s History Month is a declared month each year that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society.
I want to introduce you to Jurena Cantrell – Creative/Media Director.
Jurena Cantrell is an accomplished communications professional with 25 years of experience that includes broadcasting, marketing, PR & project/operations management.
After graduating college, Jurena rose to executive level positions with noted Atlanta based, award-winning creative, media & entertainment organizations, then leveraged her education and experience to established J. Glass Communications in 2002.
Through a hybrid of communication/media tactics and solutions, J. Glass clients have successfully established/enhanced brands, navigated crisis situations, effectively shared messaging via storytelling; resulting in earned international to domestic media coverage and spearheaded/produced an array of initiatives and campaigns for entertainment, non-profit, government, tech, digital and other B2B/B2C brands.
Jurena is also an educator and author of IndustryLife, the no-holds-barred book on building & navigating professional creative/entertainment industry careers with writer/editor CF Hutton. IndustryLife has been described as a “great book regardless of your profession”, deemed a “MUST read on the realities of the entertainment industry” and garnered favorable reviews including five-star ratings on Amazon.
Jurena has been commended for her professional contributions by organizations such as BMI, the Trumpet Awards Foundation, the Women in PR Association, and Congresswoman Maxine Waters, for working with Atlanta Falcon Terance Mathis’ Foundation to galvanize Atlanta’s sports & entertainment community during the incarceration reform case of Kemba Smith. After working with Jurena, Cynthia Honer, editor for the iconic entertainment magazine, RightOn! said, “I applaud your client for hiring your company”.
A noted spokesperson, Jurena has been invited to speak to students of Alabama A&M University, Alabama State University, Clark Atlanta University and others. Jurena, a distinguished alum of Clark Atlanta University, was named as a “top public relations pro to hire” by Business Insider in 2020.
Here is HERstory:
I’m a woman born and raised in the south who leveraged my education and background to help put Atlanta’s entertainment scene front and center.
She is the founder of J. Glass Communications: A creative, media and communications consultancy; magnifying brands and creatives since 2002.
What does women empowerment mean to you?
Speaking life into people, mentoring and helping to find a way or make one!
What advice or words of inspiration would you like to share with someone?
Never let the noise from doubters talk you out of your passion or dreams.
What do you want your legacy to be?
A woman who found away and went back to help others find theirs.
What inspires you?
The truth and love.
What kind of impact do you want to have on those around you?
I want to impact them in a positive way by showing them you can be your authentic self and still be respected.
Have you authored any books?
Yes, an ebook, IndustryLife (on Amazon)
What does self care mean to you?
Doing what makes me happy regardless of how others feel about it.
What obstacles have you overcome or hurdles did you personally face and how did you overcome them?
I had to overcome being told how hard it would be to get into marketing and PR, then educate people on what this profession can do for creatives, brands, products and services. Also I’ve had to overcome others doubting it is a real profession.
When did you realize entrepreneurship was right for you?
I realized that as a kid when I became our community candy lady after our original one died.
Why did you choose entrepreneurship?
I realized I could work for someone but it was better if I built something I could leave my children.
What would you say is your most driving motivation to keep doing what you to do?
I love to see creatives and brands win!!!
What are you most excited or passionate about? (In both business and life or both)
My children, seeing my clients happy and making my own rules.
What are the goals you most want to accomplish in your business and personally?
In business, I want people to see black women winning in spaces that are traditionally held for others. In life, I want to see our family farm up and running again.
Did you have any key mentors or people who deeply influenced who you are, what you believe in and what you’re committed to in your work and life? Tell me about them.
Yes, I was able to connect with seasoned women bts in entertainment who understood my goals and shared their knowledge with me. Also my parents.
Did you have any life-changing experiences that put you on the path that led you to be doing what you’re doing today? Tell me about them.
Yes, 9-11 put a fire under my feet to move forward with my business. I worked full time in broadcast PR at the time and when that happened, I knew I didn’t want to die without at least trying to have my own business.
What’s next for you in your business/brand?
I’m currently working on a few soon to be release projects ie. scripts and books. I’m also beginning the process to retire and become a full time farmer.
