Today we’d like to introduce you to Jani Rad.
Hi Jani, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Thank you for having me! My name is Jani, and I currently live in Memphis, TN. I’ve called a lot of places home, but the highlights have been Knoxville, Chapel Hill, and Washington DC. I have never been one to sit still! I’ve had a lot of jobs and have travelled all over the world. Ever since I was a child, I was always running around my school from after-school activities to volunteering for jobs. I am still very much the same way! I currently have 3 main “jobs.” My traditional “9 to 5” is working as a Director in the Executive Operations Division at Regional One Health where I lead our Center for Department of Analytics. Outside of that, I record and produce my own podcast show called “What’s On Your Mind?” and I am also a professional speaker/trainer/facilitator.
It’s been a journey to get where I am today, and I often encourage others to look back at their own paths to find their confidence in themselves. My professional past includes working with interactive educational theatre groups, university health and wellness centers, career development departments, health equity-focused non-profits, social justice, and human rights law firm, a training and education center for the federal government, and one of the largest healthcare systems in Memphis, TN.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been fairly smooth?
Overcoming my self-doubt has been the biggest obstacle in my career. I challenge myself and others every day to look back at their personal and professional careers and be proud of the steps that have led to where you are today. It can be fairly easy to fall into the pit of feeling like an imposter, like you don’t belong in your workplace, or that others deserve merit more than you. I definitely felt that way many times in my life, and it’s been a really cool paradigm shift that I now try to coach others to reach.
I am who I am today because of the jobs, volunteer opportunities, extracurricular activities, educational requirements, etc. I accumulated over the years. It has led to how I live my life and carry the perspectives I do.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I call myself a professional storyteller who empowers others to tell their own stories. In all of my jobs and experiences in life, that has been the one throughline. Whether it’s through data, theatre, or speaking – there is a story to tell. The activist in me always ensures that I am accurately depicting people’s stories, sharing stories that have otherwise been forgotten or changed, or empowering others to share their own voices. My professional background has definitely helped with this. I have a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) and a Master’s in City and Regional Planning (MCRP) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. However, a lot of my “hobbies” and jobs throughout my past have equipped me with these skills. I’ve been recognized in the past for my ‘storytelling’ such as receiving the Kathryn J. Kerr Memorial Scholarship for 2016-2017 while at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, an award that recognizes students who exhibit a strong sense of activism and commitment to community health and delivering a talk at TEDx Memphis in February 2020.
Most recently, I was listed in an article for the top female-produced podcasts to listen to. I am incredibly honored of this accomplishment.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
When I finally became a leader in play, I felt like I “made it.” For literally YEARS, I was the background comedic character or the ‘best friend sidekick.’ I had always felt that if I was not a Brown girl, that I would have received more acting opportunities. There was one instance in high school where I overheard the student director tell our teacher that he was choosing between two pairs for the leads of a Shakespearean play. One of the pairs was white, one of them was brown. The ‘lead’ of the brown pair did not meet their standards, so that automatically ruled me out.
Fast forward to when I attended the Tenneessee’s Governor’s School for Theatre Arts. I was not only cast as the lead but my twin brother was a white male. When I asked the director how that would be possible for the audience to believe, he was devastated that clearly I have been wronged in my theatre upbringing. He told me that talent is talent, and the audience will suspend disbelief.
This moment in my childhood stands out more than any other moment. It was the first time that I recognized that I had been denied opportunities due to the color of my skin. It was also the first time that I truly believed in my heart that I deserved to be a leading lady.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.janirad.com
- Instagram: @janirad.me
- Facebook: @janirad.me
- Twitter: @janirad_me
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95P8iftdxNY
- Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-on-your-mind/id1526008113
Image Credits
Prithvi Mavuri
