I’m a Midwestern girl (Kansas City, MO area to be specific), with Southern roots (shout out to my family in/from Nashville, TN, and Morrilton, AR) who’s now an East Coast transplant with some international influence (hola San Juan).  I’ve spent my entire life trying to turn observations into actionable data to help me be successful both personally and professionally. 

Fun fact…strategic thinking is my superpower and inaction is my kryptonite. I have a knack for gathering specific information, things that many people may overlook or ignore. This helps me build a narrative or explanation and, more importantly, an action plan for success. 

People say that I have a way with words (and I agree).  I recognize their power, so I do my best to wield it responsibly. One of my greatest joys is to use this gift to help others.

I am a rebel…sort of. I study the rules so that I know how to navigate them and I take calculated risks based on the potential reward.  

I love to travel.  Now that we are navigating the new normal left behind by COVID19, I’ve eased my way back into it.  Traveling gave (and continues to give) me confidence in my ability to successfully navigate unfamiliar environments. 

Last, but certainly not least, I am a proud alumna of Howard University. I learned so much about myself during my time as a student – and my evolution is continuing. I STILL marvel at the richness of the legacy and success of so many alums. I am working hard to add to the legacy.

That same strategic instinct, the one for finding the signal in what others overlook, is what led me to rebuild Worth Noting (formerly The JaKela Experience).

I started this work because I kept watching brilliant Black women get displaced and misplaced, pushed out of roles that never should have let them go, or boxed into ones that never reflected what they were actually capable of. That’s not an abstract concern. At least 300,000 Black women lost their jobs between January and August 2025 alone. Those numbers seem to grow daily. The talent didn’t disappear. The recognition did.

I help Black women articulate their impact to stand out and secure roles that truly reflect their value.