People: Jacquelyn Ogorchukwu
Name: Jacquelyn Ogorchukwu
Occupation / Business / Creative Outlet: Experience designer, researcher, and writer who is passionate about designing products and experiences for wellness companies. I am also the author of 'The Geometry of Being Black'.
Location: East Coast, USA.
First thing you did this morning?: I listened to Afrobeats and then made an Acai bowl. My energy levels significantly improve after doing these two things.
What does 'well-being' mean to you? To me, wellbeing means having access to a holistic set of needs. This includes basic needs such as nourishment, rest, safety, and justice. Stability needs such as employment, healthcare, housing, and education. Community needs such as love, belonging, support, and connection. And finally, spiritual needs such as value, purpose, empowerment, and nurturing.
Currently reading? Currently re-reading my favorite book - ‘All About Love’ by Bell Hooks!
Currently browsing (.com)? Currently browsing Eden Lively’s Youtube page. She posts amazing videos on creating vegan nourishment.
A resource/piece of writing you'd like to share with us? I recently created a holistic toolkit to help people dealing with racial trauma.
An album/mix that calms your nervous system? “Ugh, those feels again” by Snoh Aalegra
An album/mix that hypes you up? “African Giant” by Burna Boy
Three items in your wallet / bag? Headphones, a journal, and a bottle of water.
Most commonly used apps on your phone? Spotify, Instagram, and Liberate Meditation.
Products found in your shower/by your bath? African Black Soap, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Jamaican Castor Oil Shampoo & Conditioner.
Three things that can always be found in your kitchen cupboard? A bag of rice, Chia Seeds and Garbonzo Beans.
Favourite kitchen utensil? Can Opener. Definitely.
Favourite travel destination? Costa Rica. I am in love with being in nature. Plants and sunlight make me feel at home.
Favourite form of movement/exercise? Biking. Definitely Biking. There is a certain freedom to it that is intangible.
Nighttime rituals & practices? Dandelion tea, a cozy tv show, and my intuition journal.
One thing you'd like to incorporate into your day/week that you're currently yet to? Breathing exercises. I do breathing exercises once in a while but I really want to be intentional about making this a daily practice.
A secret? Salmon is my love language.
Someone you look up to? I know I'm supposed to name one person but I really look up to Black women!
Something you're proud of? All the inner work I have been doing. I'm very intentional about my journey of expansion. I’m learning a lot about myself and I am consistently surprised by what I discover.
I feel most creatively fulfilled when... I create what I am being led to create and not what I am expected to create. That’s where the true magic is.
I'm currently working on... A User Experience Design project for a wellness company.
This time last year, I wish I knew... To tap into my intuition more. I’ve gotten a lot better at tapping in, and this practice is truly shifting my life into alignment.
I'm grateful for... My community, my loved ones. The people who treat me with so much tenderness.
Jacquelyn photographed by Dozie Ekeocha
07 - 06 - 20