“PULSE has inspired me to think critically about the nature of social service and the skills effective to activating intentional partnerships and transformations.”
Jahqwahn Watson grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and attended The College of Wooster where they earned a degree in Africana Studies. At Wooster, they devoted much of their time to organizations such as the Children’s Defense Fund. jah served as a Servant Leader intern where they led and supported students in critical and creative analysis. They also served as an intern with the Center for Diversity and Inclusion. In their free time, jah enjoys writing, poetry, and photography. jah is a part of the East End cohort and serves at Grounded Strategies. jah was interviewed by Brett Smith.
Brett: How has PULSE inspired you to live/think/act differently?
jah: PULSE has inspired me to think critically about the nature of social service and the skills effective to activating intentional partnerships and transformations.
Brett: What have you enjoyed most about living in community? How have you and your housemates pushed/encouraged one another?
jah: I have enjoyed having folk to share my day with and the broader PULSE community. There is opportunity to make connections through different communities, resources and events. My housemates have pushed me to act with more alacrity.
Brett: What have you enjoyed most about your nonprofit partnership?
jah: Grounded Strategies has allowed me to explore a lot of interests that I had prior to PULSE. This includes gardening, land management, handy work, and herbalism. I also really enjoy my team because they are passionate about the work and invested in my growth. Growth in terms of exploring my interests, learning the workings of a nonprofit and my connections to the communities in Pittsburgh.
Brett: How do you like to spend your morning and evening commute?
jah: I love to spend my morning and evening commute with music and herbal tobacco blends. The music allows me to reflect and affirm the goodness of all my days.
Brett: What is the most interesting/fun adventure you’ve had in Pittsburgh so far?
jah: A Halloween party I went to hosted by a black, queer, femme-friendly music-based event collective named “darkness is spreading”. It was a really good time with some really cute people and really cute costumes.
Read more Fellow Stories about their experience in PULSE. If you would like to learn more about the PULSE program, please visit our Serve with Us page.
Also, check out other Stories of Transformation: