Meet Rakia Jackson | Black Peace Art

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

Hi Rakia, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
This is a great question because I live off of my affirmations. They tend to change with my seasons or stay with me throughout the entire year. Currently, I have two guiding me: “Don’t fumble it but take your time” and “It’s all about trust – trust your process and this moment.” The first serves as a reminder to hold myself accountable, encouraging me to avoid procrastination and stay on top of my deadlines. This affirmation is a response to past instances where I’ve missed opportunities due to my own actions. While I’m imposing new pressure on myself to remain consistent and focused, I also recognize the importance of taking my time with each moment to ensure I show up as the best version of myself. My second affirmation is an ever-evolving concept that resonates more deeply with each passing day. It emphasizes trusting the spaces I occupy, the journey towards my goals, and letting go of all doubt. I’m learning to acknowledge the strength of my intuition, understanding that my path is predestined, and my sole duty is to show up and trust in these moments.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
My art, for me, serves as a form of self-reflection, healing, and manifestation through my creations. While I create based on personal experiences, I genuinely believe it’s a shared experience that most can relate to. Typically, I paint to evoke a thought process and translate a mood into a visual depiction. Many of my works are organically composed, using earth tones and featuring black figures in earthly and ethereal settings. My go-to mediums are acrylic, gouache, and digital art, but I’m multifaceted, so I find myself exploring a mixture of mediums. My desire is for my body of work to reflect a commitment to excellence and a continuous journey of self-discovery and artistic growth.

I take pride in anything I touch! Not only in the memorable projects I create independently but also in collaborations with other incredible artists, I consistently give my best and pour myself into the creative process. Currently, what excites me the most is the rapid transition into public art. I’ve been blessed with over 6 public art projects in the last two years, and as I continue to grow and move into my next chapter, I aspire to have more projects outside of Pitt County, NC. Although the journey has felt slow to be recognized at times, staying consistent, genuine, open minded, collaborating with other creatives, and being true to myself have propelled me into the space I currently occupy. The growth never stops; giving back and offering my creative talents are integral parts of my journey also.

Pursuing a creative career, while fulfilling, has come with an uneasy feeling sometimes. The creating part flows naturally of course, but the breakdown of shedding and sharing myself in front of the world can be challenging. Overcoming this vulnerability required a shift in mindset. Worrying less about how I’m perceived and knowing that my art will resonate with the community I’m meant to share with—ultimately, others’ opinions don’t matter because I’m not creating to satisfy another but to tell my story in whatever form it takes. Going back to being genuine this carries a lot of weight in navigating through that uncertainty as well. If I am my most authentic self and trust my path, whatever will be, will be.

My most significant lessons involve recognizing when to say no if things don’t align and finding a balance. Knowing how to operate within a give-and-take cycle that requires awareness of when to release one aspect and redirect attention to another. This dynamic is subject to frequent changes influenced by both my environment and mental state. Understanding when to let go, even of the things I adore, is crucial for maintaining balance and recognizing that what used to work for me might not anymore in this new space. I think that has been the most essential for staying on track, especially when I’m evolving and elevating.

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?
My favorite spots to visit in Pitt County are the ones that support local artists, feel like family when you visit and they tend to host events frequently. Pitt Street Brewery is a must, hosting monthly exhibits, markets and events like game nights, Latin night and live performances. Starlight offers farm-to-table dining in an intimate setting with bomb drinks. This is perfect for getting dressed up and having date nights. Luna’s Pizza is also a cute spot for dates or family dinners as well. They make delicious hand-crafted Neapolitan pizzas that you can customize to your liking. For a cozy breakfast or lunch, Scullery is a must-visit, they have amazing hash browns, homemade breakfast sandwiches and a handful of vegetarian options. If you love Mexican food Anita’s is a winner! Coffee + Spice is a black owned establishment that offers a cozy atmosphere with excellent coffee and tea drinks and serves fresh food daily. This is the perfect cafe to have lunch meetings, read a book or even study. Fryday Nite Fish gives me nostalgic memories of family fish fries from my childhood, so if you love fried fish and shrimp this is a place to visit. I also love stopping by Emerge Gallery & Art Center from time to time because they have monthly exhibitions and free events open to the public. Crystal Connections is a cute holistic shop that has everything you need from candles, incense, oils, herbs, crystals, jewelry and more. I stop here a few times out of the month to stock up on my essentials and the owners are the sweetest people.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Deborah Sheppard, CEO of HeARToscope, Inc www.heartoscope.org

Website: Blackpeaceart.com

Instagram: @theblackpeace_

Facebook: Facebook.com/blackpeaceart

Image Credits
Asteway Tamerat (First upload) Justin Johnson (painting mural on wall) Juan Carlos Duran Martinez (squatting by street mural)