ABOUT

Tell us who you are!

Jemmar Samuels, 24. My daytime job role is Lead Youth Worker and Community Organiser for a charity. I am also a freelance content creator of sorts. I also am an activist.

So what do you actually do?

So as a youth work and community organiser, I work with two groups of people. Young people in schools, a number of them are at risk of exclusion. In the other group, I work with the local community, helping them organise themselves to bring about change for the better.

As a freelance content creator, I write articles, most are personal essays that explore social justice issues. I have dabbled in filmmaking, mostly work in front of the camera but more recently I have been learning film production (behind the camera). I do facilitation workshops and speaking engagements about social justice issues that I have been campaigning about.

As an activist, I do actual campaigning work (because arguably all I've said before can be considered as such). I work on campaigns, locally, nationally or internationally to bring about social change. This could involve media appearances, doing research or protesting.

What has your career path been?

The biggest setback would be most people not believing in me. I've had teacher downplay issues I cared about. One, later put a print of out my campaigning work in the sixth form democracy wall. Another asked me to never forget them (the school).

I didn't have supportive friends around me at times. I've been told things like "racism will always be a thing so why fight it" or been told my campaigns are pointless. That friend later said they were proud when they saw me on live on the news.

Family as well, activism means vocalising that things need to change and that rarely happens without pushback. My family deemed my work a waste of talent- I should just focus on getting good grades and a good job. They were probably the proudest of me when I won a BAFTA award and Diana award. It's hard when most people around don't believe you but they seem to always change their mind.

What is the best part of your job?

The best part of all my jobs is that I know I am doing meaningful work.

What inspired you to do your job?

Activists who came before me, Angela Davis and Olive Morris to give two specific examples.

One piece of advice for someone starting in your role?

Read and learn...a lot. All my work is based in my politics...my activism and I wouldn't be here if I wasn't provided opportunities to learn. I am privileged in that and not everyone has the same access so I would say read and learn.

Final words?

‘Activism is the rent I pay for living on the planet.’ - Alice Walker

Check out Jemmar’s socials below!

DAY IN THE LIFE

My day to day varies. I wake up, not as nearly as early as I should. I check my phone, emails, messages. Many roles mean many messages. Making a mental note of meetings I have for the day, I brush my teeth, shower and all that jazz.

After I eat, I make a list of all the things I should try and complete that day. For example, if it's a day for my daytime role, I send out emails to coworkers about funding and organising events and programmes for the children. I may do some training around community organising or safeguarding.

Freelance wise, I could write an article, either publish it on my medium or pitch it to a media platform. I might respond to emails about doing some facilitation work or a speaking engagement. If I already have something in the calendar then I would prep for the event. Once I am done prepping then I will try and get into the zone, mentally, just be calm and at peace.

Working from home also means, doing household chores, such as cooking and cleaning. Because of my ADHD I work with watching or listening to something, background noise helps me focus.

The final thing for a typical day for me, truly is me panicking about who I am, what I do and if I truly am having impact. Also if this is my purpose my calling. I still don't know.