Jamara Wakefield is a distinguished art and culture writer and award winning multimedia producer with an impressive portfolio. Her work has been featured in renowned publications such as Shondaland, Playboy, DAME, and The Root. An alumna of Tisch School of the Arts, The New School, and Pratt Institute, Jamara also honed her skills in Documentary Photography at The New England School of Photography.
As the Digital Content Producer at WBGO, Jamara expertly manages social media and produces compelling podcasts. Residing in Newark, she leads her production company, In The Wake, which is currently developing an episodic film series focusing on the Black New Jersey House Community. Her artistic endeavors capture both the ordinary and extraordinary aspects of Black life.
**Current Projects:**
- **Black House Black Joy:** A docu-series on the Black NJ House Music Community.
- **Bright Moments Podcast:** Featuring NEA Jazz Master Dorthaan Kirk.
- **Close & Closer:** A documentary project on Black Funeral Directors as Civil Rights Leaders.
- **Queen of Hang: One Bar at a Time!:** A limited film series exploring the archival footage of "The Art of Jazz," hosted by Sheila Elaine Anderson.
**Fellowships and Honors:**
- Berger-Carter-Berger Fellowship at The Institute of Jazz Studies, Rutgers
- Newark Community Media Fellow
- NJ Council for the Arts Mid Atlantic Region Fellow
- Newark Arts, Creative Catalyst Fund Fellow
- Deep House Music ICon Award winner
Jamara's work is a testament to her dedication to illuminating the narratives within Black culture and history.
