Episode 30 With Jatuan Rollins

Jataun Rollins, LCSW is a native Chicagoan and a proud produce of the Chicago
Public School System. Jataun is also a graduate of Eureka College in downstate
Illinois. She speaks lovingly of Carol Gearing, a loving mentor who introduced her
to the literary classics like Chaucer, Shakespeare, Richard Wright and countless
others. Her parents, along with her mentor, made sure that she was well read
and exposed. Her career trajectory has included working in a variety of capacities
in child welfare, senior services and social welfare policy. Jataun is known in the
community as a Subject Matter Expert and the “go to person” as it relates to
children and family services. She also made a commitment during the early part of
her work career that she would not remain working at someone’s desk for the
remainder of her life. She knew at some point she wanted to draw on her
entrepreneurial gifts and her intense desire to make a difference within the
African American community. After having taken on a whole new job, where she
hoped to add to her repertoire and skill set, Jataun lost that job and was
unemployed for quite a bit of time. Her faith in God was really tested, and just as
she was at her lowest point financially, she was notified that a grant that she
applied for had come through! It was then that she founded 1863FWD, LLC along
with its non-profit arm called 1863 Care 2 Care. The mission and focus of
1863FWD is to empower and prepare the formerly incarcerated with the ability to
bring their strengths to their communities. Although Jataun realizes that many of
these clients will secure traditional job opportunities, she is highly committed to
grooming entrepreneurs where their often hidden talents can come to the
forefront. Jataun, along with her parents, siblings, children and other extended
family members have always found themselves engaged in a number of

entrepreneurial pursuits. As if being a renaissance woman were not enough,
Jataun, is a doll maker. Her dolls have been commissioned by Therapists who
work with children who are greeted with positive images of themselves during
counseling and therapeutic sessions. She is also a published author of books that
also speak to children’s positive self-images. Her words of wisdom to women age
50+ include JUST DO IT! She wants us to operate within our passions and not
listen to those voices that don’t uplift our vision. Her mantra is “You are packaged
perfectly!” She also feels it is imperative that we identify what is important to us
first and foremost. “I feel the first half of my life went to rearing children and
fulfilling the expectations of others,” says Jataun. JUST DO IT! You can connect
with Jataun on 1863FWD.org, as Jataun Rollins on Facebook, Instagram and
LinkedIn.