Joi Donaldson is a 10x published author, pleasure activist, filmmaker, contributor, speaker and all-around creative. She has over 15 years of creative experience in writing, graphic design, social and digital media. She has been trusted with building out creative wireframes for both corporate and personal brands.

Background

I've been storytelling since the age of 7 as it was my only language. Growing up in the throes of mental, verbal and emotional abuse, retreating to a world where I can sound and act as I saw fit kept me alive throughout my childhood. I lost my voice during that time - I lost the cadence, the heft. I was too afraid to speak fully. Still, I'm a born storyteller. So I began immersing myself in photography, videography, cinema and, most recently, audio storytelling and podcasting. My work is motivated by telling stories that otherwise would've gone unsaid. I'm inspired by the storytellers of the past who gesticulated their passions and those of the present who draw you in with just a whisper. Storytelling is an artform that holds no perfect structure. I can be brash, striking and quiet all at once in this vast space. And I continue to be just that.

My crowning achievement is stating that the abusive traditions I grew up with end with me, blocking those traditions from hitting my child. Blazing a new path with little knowledge of what the future holds - doing it afraid and oftentimes alone - is my crowning achievement.

Jumping into podcasting and audio storytelling has given me the right to hear my voice for the first time as strong, confident and joyful. The deep knowing that there are other shuttered voices that feel trapped in self-imposed vice grips, those who have changed how they sound and speak to appease others inspires me to keep doing the work of exposure. Exposing the toxic behavior, thought patterns and beliefs that wish to keep us quiet. I hope being intentionally vocal, vulnerable and open with my audio work surrounding mental health for people of color brings awareness and bravery. I hope it changes the landscape of how mental health is approached in our communities. And that the shuttered voices roar in victory.

My businesses are all about building communities and audiences through authenticity. The majority of my work involves facing the hard parts of humanity - depression, anxiety, grief - and formulating bonds with yourself and others that move past trauma. Creating that foundation has allowed me to speak my truth in brave & safe spaces while also recognizing that I am always a work in progress. I continue to be teachable and my brands showcase that truth.

The Joi Element houses both my personal brand work as well as my creative consulting. Within my personal brand, I build communities and audiences through storytelling, personal narratives, workshops and support systems. With creative consulting, I assist business owners in dismantling the creative blocks they've built around their businesses by means of open-minded strategies and support.