Name:Natasha Thomas-Jackson aka Theory

City/State:Flint, Michigan

Occupation:Performance Artist, Activist, Writer & Executive Director of RAISE IT UP! Youth Arts & Awareness

What’s your M.O.?

If it involves youth, art, and/or social justice...I'm there!

What do you do?


I create and run an organization that promotes youth engagement, expression, and empowerment.

What inspired you to do what you’re doing?


As an artist and writer, I knew how much art played a role in helping me carve out my own creative voice and identity. Art helped me grow and heal in critical ways. This process taught me that art transforms. In this way, art is a perfect conduit for positive, personal, and social change. I created to RAISE IT UP! to teach young people how to harness the power of art to shape their lives, and the life of their community.

What’s the biggest obstacle you’ve faced on your journey?


The biggest obstacles are always the ones that we erect for ourselves. Like so many, I struggle with self-doubt, risk-taking, and fear. The biggest obstacle is facing all of those doubts and fears and dismantling them so that I can manifest the fullness of my potential.

What are your future plans?

My future plans are to continue to provide young people with opportunities to work in the arts and social justice fields. I plan to grow the organization so that we can serve more young people. 

What advice do you have for youth who are trying to achieve their dreams?


I try to always encourage young people to be the CREATORS of their story. So often, we let outside factors dictate how far we can go. We become victims to other people's opinions and definitions, and as a result, we start to doubt ourselves. We start to fear our own success. I am a firm believer that there is divinity in all of us.I encourage young people to KNOW that they can make their dreams a reality and to know that the potential for greatness is in all of us....just waiting of us to know it!

Natasha Thomas-Jackson

Executive Director

RAISE IT UP! Youth Arts & Awareness

The Urban League of Flint

5005 Cloverlawn Drive

Flint, Michigan 48504

Office Phone: 810.789.7923

E-Mail: raiseitupyoutharts@yahoo.com

Follow us on Twitter:www.twitter.com/raiseitupyouth

Friend us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/raiseitupflint

ENGAGEMENT! EXPRESSION! EMPOWERMENT!

• What's Your M.O.?