Meet Jeri Hinds | Actress, Model, Director & Creative

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

Hi Jeri, other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
When I decided to take the leap to follow my dreams of being a creative, there were undeniable doubts from others that tainted my confidence in succeeding. If I didn’t have a good, solid plan to reach my goals, I was met with negativity and judgement, which naturally discouraged me to continue. Only when I was able to sit with myself did I ever feel like my aspirations were attainable. I finally realized that the doubts that were placed on me were simply doubts individuals had for themselves that they projected on to me. My journey truly began when I began to trust myself, my instincts and my own pathway. Building the courage and confidence in myself to fulfill the prophecy that I know I am destined for was the only way to get where I know I’m meant to be. There will always be doubts placed on me throughout my career but as long as I confidently stand in my power those doubts won’t hinder me from my success.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I never liked following the rules. I’m a very individualistic person with a need for freedom in anything I do. This applies for my art as well! There isn’t a box big enough to place myself in so I let myself and my art flow freely in whatever medium I invest my energy into, whether that be modeling, acting or directing. But this freedom that I’ve found for myself wasn’t always the case. I was very emotional, shy and anxious until I found acting. I realized that many boundaries I built up were preventing me from having the life I so desperately wanted to live. I studied emotional intelligence, I worked on finding my confidence, I put myself in uncomfortable situations to learn from, and I finally started actively participating in my growth. My journey hasn’t been easy and it’s nowhere near being over but I believe that the vulnerability I’m able to achieve in my craft is directly influenced by that. My journey has taught me so much about not only the world, but about myself and has given me the freedom to be myself in any capacity and environment. I confidently believe that if I live my life truthfully that what is for me, will come. I learned that trusting my intuition is necessary and believing in myself (as corny as it sounds) is truly the driving force in my success.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’ve only lived in Atlanta for a few years but I’ve definitely found some spots I really liked. I’m a big fan of Hawkers on the Beltline and my bar of choice is Sister Louisa’s Church in Edgewood. On Thursdays, I like to go to RockSteady Lounge for some good Caribbean food and vibes. Also, my family owns a Jamaican restaurant up in Norcross called Kool Runnings and they have the most authentic Jamaican food you’ll find in the Metro-Atlanta area. If I were to have someone visit the area though, I would love to do something that I haven’t done before. There is a Van Gogh immersive experience in the city now that I would love to visit. I also have yet to visit the Botanical Gardens or Six Flags and would love to! I still feel like a newbie in the area, so ask me in a year and I should have some great recommendations!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’m an avid reader! Books have always been my safe space to expand my mind. Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke is a collection of ten letters between author Rilke and author Franz Xaver Kappus that provide solid advice to any creative pursuing their dreams. This book deserves the BIGGEST shoutout because although written in the late 1800s, it provides the most genuine, grounding and sincere wisdom that can be applied to any creative’s career. It reminds the reader that this creative lifestyle has been around for centuries and not much has changed when it comes to self-doubt, finding your own path, and staying true to yourself. I definitely recommend every creative give this book a good read. The takeaway from this book upon completion is massive; it will definitely change your outlook on life and give your career a boost of confidence.

Website: jerihinds.com

Instagram: @peanutbutterandjeri

Twitter: @jeriberri_

Facebook: Jeri Hinds

Image Credits
z0a, Franklyn James