Member Focus: Taylor Jackson

Where are you from and what is your background? 

I am from New Orleans, born and raised uptown in the Carrollton area. I will say I also split time in my teenage years in Algiers which I used to be a little  bitter about, but I grew to appreciate it. I love Uptown though.

What was your favorite part about growing up here?

Everything has always felt very rooted in community for me, and learning the importance of building, maintaining, and fostering that community. We're lucky in New Orleans that people strive to stay so connected. I always felt part of a very large, extended family and with the city as the backdrop of it all.

What is your favorite part about living in New Orleans now?

The community for sure, but I would say It's a really expansive and creative time to be in New Orleans. There is definitely a creative renaissance happening. I think post COVID we're seeing so many cool projects and businesses popping up. It feels really exciting. We're at a very new stage for the city and growing in it together, and that's really fun and inspiring. 

I think there is really good young-ish energy happening here. It feels like people really want to do good for the city. I think people are taking it on as a call to action, everyone is investing in the city and the city is investing back in us.

What do you do now, what is your professional background?

I am currently serving as the Director of Communications for New Schools for New Orleans. We are a nonprofit that works in partnership with all of our Nola public schools through advocacy for grant making and other fundraising that goes through to our great educators in the city as well as the great kids that are in our schools.

I have had a really topsy turvy career path. I began working in some of our cities' great events. I worked with Jazz Fest, as well as Essence Fest among others. I had a five year stint in city government which was great. I have a love for the city and getting to work day in and day out with residents, other educators, and students is wonderful. I feel lucky to have a career so tied to the city.

What has been your favorite project you have worked on?

I call this project my stepchild because I didn't birth it but I get to really be a big part of it. At NSNO we host NOLA Teacher Fest. Which is basically a jazz fest-esque festival for all of our educators. We do it in Champions Square and It's free, there's music, games, food and drinks as well. It's just a really great way to give New Orleans style love to our teachers. 

What is your specialization in the communications industry?

I've done a lot of speech/talking points writing previously to this but I feel very lucky that I get to work in very collaborative spaces. I feel like New Orleans is a very secret but not so secret communications industry hub. There are so many amazing and talented creatives here. The marketing and communications community here is so unique in New Orleans.

I have been able to work on a lot of great projects, but what I got to do with Essence Fest was really special. Producing experiences that are geared towards the empowerment of Black women was both exciting and fulfilling. I also now get to meet with a lot of teachers and educators and highlight the great work that they and their students are doing in the classroom, which I think motivates me the most. 

Kids are just the best too, it all goes back to how awesome our community is in the city, and how tied together we are. It all starts in these classrooms and then it spills over into all other aspects of life here.

How did you hear about Common House?

I have friends who are members in other cities. They spoke very highly of Common House so when the news broke in New Orleans, I felt  all about it. I have always loved that building; it being the old children's museum, and I was wondering what was going to happen to the space. So when I saw the article by Nola.com I decided to apply! 

What are you excited for when Common House opens this summer?

For me, it's the co-working space. A central theme of mine is to be able to be in a space with other creatives and professionals. I think that will be a really great aspect that will be useful for a lot of different projects – and of course the pool. I am really excited for that, it'll be summer and hot. I hope the wifi reaches up there, because I will be there for sure.