Your WOW Woman Jillian: Filmmaker, Reporter, Survivor, Black Belt, Speaker
Nominated and Submitted by Delayne Powe.
1. Name of the WOW Woman you are nominating.
Jillian Bullock.
2. What has she dared to tackle, or done to innovate, achieve, soar, lift-up others, overcome challenges, defy expectations/norms, etc?
Jillian has defied expectations because she had to overcome horrific experiences when she was younger. She was raped at age 10. At age 15, she became homeless and was forced into a world of drugs and prostitution in order to survive. When she became pregnant at 16, Jillian knew she needed to find a way to get off the streets and kick drugs in order to give herself and her unborn child a better life. Once Jillian got off the streets, she kicked drugs cold turkey and delivered her son, who was two months premature due to her drug use. She went back to high school when she was 18, as she raised her baby. She successfully graduated high school at age 20 and went on to college while she worked as a reporter for the Wall Street Journal. She continued on to fulfill her dream to become a filmmaker when she graduated from La Salle University and went on to intern for Spike Lee’s movie “Malcom X.” She continued learning about filmmaking while working on her own and other people’s projects. Now, she is the CEO of Jillian Bullock Enterprises, LLC, a film production company in PA. As an award winning filmmaker, Jillian works on projects as an actor, screenwriter, director, producer, and fight choreographer.
3. What are some of the outcomes/results of her accomplishments, actions, causes, etc.?
Jillian is an author. Here memoir, HERE I STAND, was published in 2012 and tells of her upbringing, all she endured and how she transformed from a victim to a victor. She is also a fitness expert. Jillian has two black belts, one in Tae Kwon Do and the other in Wing Chun. She currently trains in MMA and boxing. She also teaches bootcamp, kettlebell and kickboxing classes. Jillian became a certified life coach and transformation speaker a few years ago. She uses her voice to tackle difficult subject matters, e.g. sexual assault, domestic violence, mental illness, and other topics that deal with contemporary social issues in an effort to bring about change. As an award winning filmmaker, Jillian produces movies that are groundbreaking, socially conscious, and thought provoking. Her work empowers, educates and entertains audiences.
4. What can other women learn from her?
An advocate for girls and women, Jillian travels throughout the country and uses her speeches and workshops to teach females safety and preventive measures to help reduce their chances of becoming a victim of rape, sexual assault, bullying, harassment, or domestic violence. She is also the creator of JBFit5 where Jillian uses her background in martial arts, boxing and fitness to help females get in the best physical shape of their lives, and at the same time teaches them how to use specific exercises for self-defense. Jillian is on a continued mission to empower females to be strong, confident, self-assured, outspoken, and physically dangerous, if they ever need to defend themselves.
5. Why does she inspire you in particular?
I’ve worked for Jillian for several years. I’m always inspired by the endless work she does on behalf of people, especially girls and women. As someone who has overcome tremendous obstacles, Jillian uses her experiences to be an advocate for the marginalized, the powerless, the abused, and the misrepresented. Jillian’s far removed from that life she had growing up, but still she understands the pain, emotionally, mentally, people are going through and she uses her story to connect with others in order to help them live better, fuller, happier, and more productive lives.
And I love when Jillian gives speeches she always ends with her quote, “Your past doesn’t dictate what your future will be.” That gives people hope.
6. Your name.
Delayne Powe
Jillian’s websites –
www.jbullockenterprises.com (film company)
www.jbullockspeaker.com (speaker services)