Dominique Jackson: A Trans Model's Journey of Resilience | Queer Money Ep. 73
Episode description
Dominique Jackson, a prominent figure in the realm of transgender modeling, graces us with her compelling narrative of resilience and transformation. She recounts her journey of self-discovery, which was fraught with adversity, including familial rejection and the challenges of transitioning. Throughout our dialogue, Dominique emphasizes the pivotal role of intuition in navigating her tumultuous past, which encompassed struggles with substance abuse and significant financial burdens. Moreover, she illuminates her current endeavors, wherein she actively contributes to organizations such as Destination Tomorrow, thereby giving back to the community that shaped her. This episode serves as a profound testament to the indomitable human spirit and the necessity of support and understanding within marginalized communities.
Meet Miss Dominique Jackson Transgender model, Dominique Jackson shares her story has taken her from the island of Tobago to Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York City to the reality show Strut to serving her LGBTQ community at Destination Tomorrow. Her story will inspire you. Model & Reality Show Star Dominique Jackson “It all began with a high five.” In an incredibly competitive industry, it’s easy to begrudge the success of another model or actor, to view a colleague’s achievement as if they’ve taken something away from you. But successful transgender model Dominique Jackson rejects such a scarcity mindset, celebrating the success of her colleagues. In fact, the simple gesture of a high five sent waves through the community—and led to the opportunity to do reality series Strut. Dominique grew up in privilege in Trinidad and Tobago but was ultimately rejected by her family over her gender identity. She moved to the US in 1990 and started school while she was transitioning. Dominique has encountered her share of obstacles, from homelessness to drug and alcohol abuse to survival sex work, but a combination of intuition, belief and therapy have allowed her to view those challenges as a test that helped Dominique realize just how far she can go. Dominique paid her dues in the modeling industry, doing a number of free shows before landing a job as a resident model with Adrian Alicea in 2009. This break led to her first appearance at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week that same year. Today Dominique shares the trajectory of her modeling and acting career, as well as her challenging personal journey as a transgender woman. She explains how a shift in mindset and a healthy dose of discipline helped Dominique see her way clear of $10,000 in credit card debt, and how she came to serve as Director of Programming for Destination Tomorrow. Learn about her work to support the LGBTQ community and how to adopt a mentality of abundance.
Takeaways:- Dominique Jackson recounts her journey of resilience, navigating the complexities of identity and societal expectations.
- She emphasizes the significance of intuition and self-awareness in overcoming personal struggles and financial challenges.
- Dominique illustrates the importance of community support, highlighting her involvement with organizations like Destination Tomorrow.
- Her experiences reveal the necessity of addressing mental health and advocating for accessible healthcare within the LGBTQ community.
- Dominique advocates for parents to allow their children the freedom to explore their identities without premature labels or constraints.
- She shares her belief in the power of abundance and collective success, urging individuals to celebrate rather than compete with one another.
Topics Covered:
- 00:28 - Dominique Jackson's Journey of Resilience
- 06:21 - Dominique's Journey: From Tobago to Triumph
- 11:52 - Overcoming Challenges and Finding Identity
- 23:31 - Overcoming Challenges and Resilience
- 27:45 -...