Jody-Anne Vanessa, Sept. 2023. Shot by Fernandez Barrett
Jody-Anne Vanessa is a Jamaican Christian girl who has spent the majority of her life residing in Portmore, St. Catherine, while pursuing her education and career in Kingston. However, her heart truly belongs to her mother’s parish of Portland, where she feels the strongest connection with nature and where her creativity effortlessly flows from pen to paper. From her teenage years, she has harbored a deep passion for writing, transforming her personal journals into books of heartfelt poetry. Writing became the ultimate medium through which she expressed her innermost thoughts, pains, and passions. As she matured, her love for writing only grew stronger, and she nurtured an aspiration to someday publish a collection of poetry and other literary works.
For five years, Jody-Anne utilized her talents in a more conventional manner as a lifestyle reporter at Jamaica’s premier media house, which proved to be one of the most rewarding experiences of her life. Subsequently, she transitioned into the field of digital marketing, where she worked as a content creator and digital marketer for prominent local brands. Her contributions played a pivotal role in the successful launch of The Tamia Carey Shoes, and she even pursued modeling as a hobby for Tamia Carey and photographer Fernandez Barrett. Currently, she holds the positions of social media coordinator and content creator for a Jamaican Government agency.
As part of her personal journey of self-discovery, Jody-Anne shares the invaluable lessons she has learned, emphasizing the significance of self-care and providing beauty tips tailored for women of color who have chosen to embrace their natural selves, as well as for all women seeking skincare advice. While she is not a dermatologist, her tips are rooted in personal experimentation and observations from her own experiences and those of her friends. Alongside her endeavors, she is actively developing her own local brand called Jo. V Beauty, with a focus on scalp treatments.
In addition to her written content, Jody-Anne also hosts her own podcast, Beyond Skin Deep with Jody-Anne Vanessa, which offers a platform for lifestyle features and captivating stories. The podcast is available on all major streaming platforms, allowing her to reach a broader audience.
Ultimately, being a source of inspiration for self-love is of utmost importance to Jody-Anne. Through her various endeavors, she aims to serve as a guiding light, encouraging individuals to embrace and appreciate themselves fully.