Author: Ayanna Nicole

Hi! I’m Ayanna, a writer and artist. Although I graduated from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte with two degrees in art and psychology, I’ve had a passion for writing for as long as I can remember. By following my dreams and utilizing my creativity, I designed Jaro Magazine with the ultimate intention of bringing more positive stories in the black community to the forefront, while also highlighting our versatile and vibrant culture through Jaro’s four modes: film, books, art, and music. I also manage a book hub, which you can find on Instagram @bloomingliterature.

Andra Day Reflects On Winning A Golden Globe And How Playing Billie Holiday Transformed Her Forever

On Sunday night, the marvelous Andra Day became just the second Black woman to win the Golden Globe for Best Drama Film Actress through her exceptional role in The United States vs. Billie Holiday.  What makes this victory even more outstanding is that The United States vs. Billie Holiday marks

Kerry Washington and Laverne Cox Discuss Creating Room For Inclusivity On Set

Kerry Washington and Laverne Cox are working hard to provide opportunities for underrepresented artists on-screen and behind the scenes. In conversation with Variety’s Angelique Jackson, Cox and Washington describe how becoming producers allowed them to have control over their work, which allows for more diversity and inclusion.  “The question for

WRLDFMS Tony Williams Vibrantly Covers David Bowie, Prince, Kanye, And Lenny Kravitz In New “Fame Medley”

In an uplifting, hip set, WRLDFMS Tony Williams and band Terminal D rendered live covers of classic songs by David Bowie, Prince, Kanye West, and Lenny Kravitz in “The Fame Medley.” Taking place at the electrifying and immersive artistic space of the Psychedelic Robot in Dallas, Texas, the colorful tone

Nominations For 2021 NAACP Image Awards Highlight Strong, Resilient Black Voices And Talent

The nominations for the 52nd annual NAACP Image Awards have been unveiled! Nominees for the 15 categories were announced via the NAACP’s Instagram page on February 2nd. “We are excited to recognize and celebrate this year’s nominees, who at times throughout this unprecedented year have provided moments of levity, brought

Nancy Johnson On How Race And Class Influenced Her Debut Novel ‘The Kindest Lie’

Nancy Johnson’s debut novel The Kindest Lie, officially released today, is an exploration of motherhood, race, and class. Featured on our most anticipated books of 2021, Johnson describes her first novel as “a story about the choices that we make in our lives, and how tethered we are to our

Zendaya On The Making Of Netflix Drama Film ‘Malcolm & Marie’ During The Pandemic

The black-and-white romantic drama film Malcolm & Marie, which stars Zendaya and John David Washington, was shot over the span of two weeks. Self-financed and without the benefits of a studio, Zendaya told Variety that it took two days to figure out what on earth they were doing. But eventually,

Join A Virtual Conversation Between Cicely Tyson And Whoopi Goldberg As They Reflect On Tyson’s New Memoir ‘Just As I Am’

This Thursday, January 28th at 6:00 PM EST, join in on a conversation between Miss Cicely Tyson and Whoopi Goldberg as the beloved actress and author discusses her new memoir, Just As I Am. The virtual event will be hosted by HarperCollins Publishers, Girls Write Now, and Well-Read Black Girl’s

‘Soul’: A Deeply Spiritual Film On Awakening to the Light Within

Warning: Spoilers ahead. I was both stunned and pleasantly surprised when I learned that Pixar would be examining spiritual concepts in Soul. After watching the film twice, I still couldn’t believe what I was witnessing in a mainstream Disney movie! Astral projection, spirit guides, OBEs (Out of Body Experiences), and

Book Review: Jesmyn Ward’s ‘Sing, Unburied, Sing’ Is Both Poetically Brilliant And Tragically Honest

Jesmyn Ward’s 2017 Award-winning novel Sing, Unburied, Sing has been on my radar for a few years now, and one of my resolutions was to tackle my extensive reading list. So although I’m a bit behind the times, here’s a story that is indeed evergreen. I found Sing, Unburied, Sing

JARO Reading List: Books By Black Authors On Our Radar In 2021

There have been a plethora of distinguished books throughout 2020 (view this year’s reading list here), allowing us to escape to different worlds as we grapple with a pandemic and multiple other crises. Now, we’re looking forward to unearthing even more gems in the forthcoming year, especially as multiple writers

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