Combining her pre-law degree with her love for acting and social activism, Jennifer Sears is a voice of passion and authenticity. Ever since her big break in Tyler Perry’s Madea Family Reunion (2006), Jennifer has continued to work alongside some of the industry’s most astounding talent and production teams, with roles in the award-winning and Golden Globe-nominated film “Bessie” alongside Queen Latifah and Mo’Nique, The Best of Enemies starring Taraji P. Henson, VH1’s Daytime Divas alongside Tichina Arnold, Bounce’s Saints and Sinners and FOX’s Star, to name a few. We speak to Jennifer about her most recent role on OWN’s Greenleaf as it enters its fifth and final season. We also discuss how Jennifer is using her platform to raise awareness for causes that are close to her heart. She frequently works with the Atlanta Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and consistently works to share resources about Black Mental Health. Please read our interview with Jennifer Sears below.

Where are you based?
I’m currently based in Atlanta, GA but who knows where life and the business may take me in the near future.

We hear you have a degree in pre-law. How did you transition from a career path in law to acting?
Yes, I have a B.A. in Political Science/pre-law from Clark Atlanta University. Upon finishing undergrad, I found myself at the proverbial crossroads of young adulthood, questioning if I should proceed to law school and build a legacy of which my family would be proud as a first-generation college graduate, or hearken to the inner call of art and creativity that I’ve had since childhood but may not promise a lucrative career. With my sights set on studying and practicing entertainment law, I was presented an opportunity that, unbeknownst to me, would reset the trajectory of my life. I was invited to an open casting call by a friend who was working as a P.A. (production assistant) on a movie of which I didn’t even know the title. To be honest, I didn’t care at that moment. All I knew was I was given an opportunity to stretch my ‘creative wings’ and fly, perhaps one final time, before embarking on my legal journey. I attended the open call with no headshots or resume in hand, equipped with only hopes to have fun and feel alive and free in the spirit of creativity. I walked in and immediately observed that no one at the audition looked anything like me. I was the only girl there sporting a boy-short pixie cut, while the other girls had long flowing hair. Although I was a little intimidated by this, I still had in mind the idea of having fun. When called, I went into the audition room and did just that… had fun and lots of it. I guess I did a pretty good job because I received a call on my cell before leaving the lot that I booked the role. That pivotal role was in the 2006 Box Office hit Madea’s Family Reunion directed by none other than industry titan Tyler Perry, his directorial film debut. Needless to say, I haven’t looked back… except to observe in awe and gratitude how my life has changed.

You have a new role in the final season of Greenleaf on OWN. Can you please tell us a little bit about this show and your character, Tara?
Greenleaf is an incredible award-winning drama series that captures the lives of an affluent African American family that is the pillar of their church Calvary Fellowship World Ministries, but as seemingly perfect as they appear, they are not without fault and scandal, lots of them. With all that the Greenleaf family has faced through five seasons (divorce, loss, abuse, etc.), they uphold the message of faith, hope, and love that has inspired the millions of viewers who have made the series one of OWN’s top-rated shows. My character, Tara James, is the sister of Rochelle Cross played by LeToya Luckett-Walker and Basie Skanks played by Jason Dirden. Tara is a humble woman of God whose primary focus is to serve God by feeding His sheep through her small yet impactful mission ministry New Revelations which pales in comparison to the glorious behemoth that is Calvary Fellowship. Tara makes her debut in the final season much later in the series than her siblings who are viewed less than favorably by the Greenleaf family, so she has her work cut out for her to gain their trust and redeem the reputation of her family.

You will also be on the big screen, assuming we are able to go to theatres by March 5th, 2021, in Coming 2 America. Can you please tell us a little bit about this film?
All I can say is that the sequel to the 1988 iconic original has been long-awaited, and it certainly does not disappoint. Its star-studded cast consists of comedic geniuses such as Tracy Morgan, Leslie Jones, Luenell, Rodney Perry, and of course the incomparable stars of the original, Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall. This hilarious sequel provides non-stop, side-splitting humor that the world so desperately needs and deserves this year. Witnessing and being a part of the hysterical ‘comedy cypher’ on set, I had a very hard time holding in my laughs and not ruining each take. I can’t wait for the world to see the finished product of the magic I was fortunate to experience in person.

What are your thoughts on films now being streamed on-demand as we wait for the movie theatres to open again?
I’m sure we’re all missing the normalcy of yesteryear and all of the events and activities that many of us unintentionally took for granted. For example, going to the movies was a highly anticipated event in which you didn’t just watch the movie, you experienced it. Given the catastrophic pandemic that has affected us all, we’ve had to make serious adjustments to our ways of life, not only for our safety but also for the safety of others. While missing out on the ‘movie theater experience’ due to the ongoing COVID pandemic is unfortunate for the audience and the industry, it drastically pales in comparison to the lives lost and critically impacted by this dreadful disease. I try to see the positive in most, if not all things, and I view films being released on streaming services as an opportunity for the audience — especially those who are immunocompromised to take part in the release experience in the comfort and safety of their own home. I believe in the power of art and its healing abilities, and I believe that the creative content released this year will somehow give audiences all over the world the relief and visual escape they greatly need in challenging times such as these.

Jejune loves the passion that you bring to your film career. We also know that you are just as passionate about philanthropy and social activism. Can you tell us a little bit about being an advocate for the Atlanta Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Why is this important to you?
I became actively involved with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) after losing my big brother Marcus (Mark) to non-Hodgkin lymphoma to honor his memory and to heal from the loss. I found within LLS a supportive community with the common mission to improve the quality of life of blood cancer patients and their families through several advocacy programs and LLS-funded research saving countless lives with breakthroughs in immunotherapy and personalized medicine. I joined LLS with a passionate goal to do everything in my power to save families from the devastation of losing a loved one due to cancer. That is a pain I wish I could spare everyone. I hope and believe my efforts are making Mark proud and creating a legacy in which he will live on.

Has your background in pre-law influenced your social activism?
Oh absolutely, without a doubt. I would say though, before my study of political science, my upbringing also played a huge role in my passion and involvement in social activism. My mother, a proud self-aware Black woman, was instrumental in my hunger for knowledge of African and African American history, culture, and diasporic achievements at a very early age. By the time I was a teenager, I was studying the social ills of the Black community like a science. I knew immediately I wanted to continue my studies at an HBCU and carry out the legacy of many of my forefathers and foremothers who on the heels of slavery persevered and excelled academically, defying the unimaginable odds set against them. I chose Clark Atlanta University because of its distinguished heritage. Historian, activist and Pan-Africanist W.E.B. DuBois was a founding faculty member and walked the very stairs I climbed every day visiting my department chair for guidance in the political science building. In that building and all throughout the campus, I felt the spirit of defiance and there I learned to speak truth to power in the face of adversarial systems. I became involved in campus programs and protests and the spirit of social activism was birthed into existence.

You are also very vocal about mental health in the Black community. We know that mental health is a pertinent issue with many stigmas attached to it, especially in the Black community. Can you speak more about your experience and perspective of mental health in the Black community?
In my personal experience and recollection of childhood memories, the topic of mental health was taboo, let alone a focal point in the Black community. Feeling or even talking about your feelings was considered a sign of weakness, and one simply could not afford to be weak when facing some of the most challenging circumstances that were oftentimes imposed upon the Black community as a whole. Many of us were in survival mode and could not afford the luxury of ‘feeling’, trading in our costly feelings for unyielding resilience. Some of us who were knocked down so much by life buried our feelings so deeply as a defense mechanism that we had become numb to the pain and had accepted the trials and tribulations that accompany the systemic oppression of being Black in America as just the “ways of life”. The racial and social trauma that our forefathers and foremothers experienced and that we subsequently inherited still plague our families and communities today due to the same flawed system that created these social ills. The trauma systemically and strategically inflicted within the Black community was done so gradually and meticulously; therefore, our healing will not occur suddenly and simultaneously. It is up to the existing generations to undo the damage imposed upon our communities, first starting with our own personal issues, so that the future generations can immediately recognize the symptoms of trauma that plagued our communities and demystify the topic of mental health, hence removing the stigma and breaking the generational curse of unspoken mental health challenges.

There are a lot of silent obstacles in addressing mental health in the Black community. What do you think would prompt a change in current conversations and understandings of Black mental health?
Fortunately, the importance of mental health advocacy has moved to the forefront of many conversations held not only privately but also publicly by notable figures who have been coming forward to lift the veil on the topic of mental health and reveal that we all face challenges in different ways while providing help and resources in the process. I believe the dawning of the ‘woke era’ which began with the primary focus on systemic oppression and racial injustice has now grown to cover other facets of the Black community to heal from within, including self-awareness and mental health. Even though the battle against injustice wages on, we’re learning what are our personal triggers (i.e. disturbing images and videos of police brutality) to offset the effects of trauma and anxiety and becoming more conscious of our overall mental health.”

The Black Lives Matter movement has been amazing, but it has also brought up some traumatic experiences and emotions for the Black community. How do you advise people to stay healthy during this time?
Many within the Black community, including myself, have benefited greatly from helpful coping skills and methods such as meditation, breathing exercises, yoga, emotional tapping, journaling, therapy, and establishing healthy boundaries from the outside world. Identify your triggers (people, overstimulation caused by images, songs, social media, etc.) and protect your energy. If that means disconnecting briefly so that you can tap in with yourself, by all means, do that. There’s only so many external stimuli one can take before it all starts to wear on the fabric of the psyche.

COVID has had a huge impact on the Black and brown populations in America. We have seen some of the largest death rates in these communities. But also many people have lost their jobs and seen extreme economic issues as a result. Suicide rates are starting to skyrocket with everything going on. What do you think are the most important steps America can take to help the many people impacted?
Since, in my opinion, the government has failed to prepare and protect its citizens and those who have advanced the social and economic status of America, it is the responsibility of the government to create programs that would assist those struggling with financial, physical, and mental challenges caused by the botched handling of the devastating pandemic. There needs to be a reallocation of resources to fund these programs with no tax penalties to those impacted, especially the working and lower-middle-class families. If there’s difficulty locating these resources, I’d suggest they start with all of the greedy individuals and corporations that deviously profited from the stocks of companies that produced personal protective equipment (PPE), while a vast number of Americans who are essential workers depended on these life-preserving materials to keep my nation alive… just a thought.

How do you help people stay sane during these times? What advice do you have for people struggling right now?
As difficult as I know it is, fight to preserve your joy. Find moments of joy daily. Create those moments by any means necessary. It doesn’t have to be anything grandiose. I find joy in the simplest of things. When you find your joy, let nothing and no one – not even you – take it away. Disconnect and distance yourself from anything that triggers negative emotions (e.g. social media, TV, people, etc.) and tap into what instills feelings of joy. This year has been very heavy, so check with yourself and become self-aware of what makes you feel light. Lean more into that and away from anything and anyone that weighs you down. You owe it to yourself to protect your joy.

With everything going on, the need for mental health support is more evident than ever. What can the Black community do to pursue mental health options while in quarantine?
With the viral pandemic ongoing in addition to the pandemic of racism, it’s apparent now more than ever that mental health must be emphasized especially within the Black community. There are several Black mental health organizations, such as Unearth and Bloom LLC and Darkness Rising Project 501(c)3, that are using their platforms and social media presence to support the Black community so that we not only survive but also thrive in the process of overcoming. These platforms in addition to several others are available online and via social media. I have personally benefited greatly from the two organizations mentioned. There’s no cost whatsoever, so I encourage everyone to check them out, receive, and release.

Speaking of stress. How did you ride out the 2020 elections?
With much prayer and faith. I say that half-jokingly, but I think many other Americans as well as others all over the world watching in anticipation, let out a sigh of relief at the results of the 2020 elections. Regardless of one’s political partisanship, I think the majority would agree, and apparently has agreed, that a change in leadership was crucial in restoring the soul of America. We mustn’t let up though. We must hold our elected officials (local, state, and federal) to their word and the promises made on the campaign trail; we must demand systemic change for the betterment of all. The fight isn’t over until victory is won – for all.

How have you been staying positive during shelter-in-place?
Lots and lots of prayer, Bible study, and meditation. Prayer is a daily practice for me and guides me to my place of refuge. It keeps me grounded and my faith firmly rooted in that which I cannot see (God) but trust is in control, especially in these out-of-control times. I’ve also tried to go outdoors as much as possible to get some sunlight, even if it’s just to sit on my patio or go for a walk around my neighborhood. A healthy dose of Vitamin D from its natural source, the sun, is important not only to our physical health in fighting COVID, but also in boosting our mental and emotional health. Each day, I look forward to escaping these four walls and going outside to be one with nature… to feel the warmth of the sun on my skin, to breathe in the fresh air, and to hear the birds chirping and the scurrying of squirrels up the trees. That’s my moment to disconnect from all forms of mass media and just ‘be’.

What is your motto in life?
“This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice in be glad in it.” – My own personal adaptation of Psalm 118:24. I say this every day the moment I open my eyes. It sets the tone for that day.

To learn more about Jennifer Sears, please follow her via the below platforms:
Instagram: @iamjensears
Twitter: @IamJenSears

Photographer by Neta Zuk.

Actress Jennifer Sears on Social Activism & Black Mental Health