Meet Jabari Haakim | Entertainer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jabari Haakim and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jabari, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I started singing in church leading the children’s choir at age 9. From there I fell in love with acting and writing.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Being the oldest of five I wasn’t able to seize every opportunity that came my way when it came to entertainment. In high school I wasn’t getting many roles because most of the roles were given to the white students, I vividly remember auditioning for a play in high school and as I was leaving school the director came out and said to me, “ Jabari, I just wanted to you that would are an amazing actor, but I won’t be able to cast you in this play because your people weren’t prevalent during this time.” After that I lost all hope that I would have a successful career in entertainment.

It wasn’t until I was an adult and able to make my own decisions for my career that things started to pick up. I haven’t reached the success that I’ve dreamed of yet but the steps I’ve taken have been so helpful. In my 20s I have done 2 indie films and created so much of my own content. I got an agent and working on getting another one now that I have relocated to Atlanta,GA.

This journey has is not over and hasn’t been easy at all. I’ve learned that having the right people around you in moments where you are rejected or need motivation is very important in the field.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my bestie came to Atlanta for a week this is what we’d do:

Day 1: Brunch at The Breakfast Boys
Shopping at the mall.
Lunch at Pretty Little Tacos
Mani and Pedi time !!
Studio Movie Grill for drinks and dinner.

Day 2: Nature walk Rosewell Mills
Breakfast at Gocha’s
Create some content take some pictures.
Top.Golf
Lunch at Slutty Vegan
Dinner at The Select Restaurant + Bar

Day 3: chill. In the house order take out and watch movies all day!

Day 4: Nature walk at Stone Mountain
Starbucks for breakfast
Indoor Skydiving
Lunch at home
Dinner at Yebo Beach Haus

Day 5: Make a big breakfast at home
Watch a movie in 4DX at the Regal in Atlantic Station.
Lunch at Juicy Seafood
Dinner at The Blue Cantina
Drinks, good music and fun at The legendary Marquette.

Day 6: Breakfast at Milk & Honey Restaurant
Shopping at Perimeter Mall
Relax til dinner at Grana
Ponce City Market for the night

Day 7: Brunch and bottomless mimosas at Toast on Lenox
Watch movies and sleep all day.
Drinks and crab legs the UBAR

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would honestly love to give a shout-out to everyone in my life that I consider friends or family. Collectively they motivate me, they inspire me and art as well. Seeing people I know and love enjoy the media that I create fuels me to just keep evolving and sharing my gifts with the world. I would also like to shoutout Runako Jahi and ETA Creative Arts Foundation in Chicago, IL; I wouldn’t be the creative I am do if it hadn’t grown up and perfected my craft in that theater.

Instagram: instagram.com/jabarihaakim

Twitter: twitter.com/jabarihaakim

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haakim.melancon

Youtube: YouTube.com/jabarihaakim