Inspiring Story
From the sidewalk stage to the spotlight
Jessica grew up on Chicago’s South Side and loved rap and poetry, yet often felt unheard. In 2019, she attended a HerStory Voices gathering, where she was encouraged to tell her own story through performance.
She began performing at community events, using rap to speak about gender equity, domestic violence, and women’s resilience. Three years later, she became one of HerStory Fest’s headline artists and now leads “Voice of Change” workshops for girls.
“When I hold the mic and speak my story, I know I’m not alone. HERSTORY taught me that when women tell their own stories — the world must listen.”— Jessica D.
Community Outcomes
- Greater public recognition of women’s roles in modern society
- Confidence and leadership growth among young women
- Cross-neighborhood collaborations through art and dialogue