Member Interview – Jessica Robinson, 09/13

JESSICA JANE ROBINSON, NCRA MEMBER SINCE 2012
As Miss Alameda, I am a self employed public figure, environmental advocate and artist. I hope to turn the Miss Alameda Says Compost project into a broader based non-profit later this year. We help cities, organizations, and communities reach their diversion goals through social and cultural change activities. An actress, singer, dancer and model, I find innovative ways to apply these skills in the environmental movement. The creator of the superhero Resilience, formerly known as Recycle Woman, I use this figure to demonstrate and inspire people to work toward everyday actions that will alleviate some of our environmental emergencies. She is a superhero with powers that everyday people can relate to, which will help guide people to make changes that help support both the environmental movement, as well as social justice. I am in the process in developing a television show about Resilience.

A University of San Francisco graduate, I majored in Performing Arts and Social Justice and minored in Dance. I am a trained dancer: ballet, hip hop, Bollywood, jazz, modern, and tap. I also represented the City of Alameda in the Miss California, USA pageant from 2009-2011, and have been known as “Miss Alameda” ever since.

Activities/Interests Outside of Work: I love going to dance classes. I also enjoy long runs – usually 5-6 miles, and early morning boot camp classes. I meditate every day, and take courses to improve my practice and help with spiritual enlightenment and bliss. I am inspired by the people who make up our environment – humanity at large, and the people who want to help repair the environment and make a difference. Women figures, including Princess Diana, Oprah, and Mother Teresa all inspire me, and encourage me to follow in their footsteps. Strong women figures in my life help mold me and push me toward my personal growth.

What Would People Be Surprised To Know?: My father, George Robinson, was considered a Bay Area Reggae legend, and was the leader of George & the Wonders. My mother, Pamela Proctor (aka Daughter West) helped bring Reggae to the US from Jamaica, including acclaimed musicians such as Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Jimmy Cliff.

If You Could Vacation Anywhere In The World Where Would You Go?: I can’t pick any particular place because I want to travel everywhere, and see everything. I wouldn’t just be able to go to one place for a short period of time.

FAVORITES
Book: Fidelity, by Thich Nhat Hanh, Anne of Green Gables, by Lucy Maud Montgomery, Daddy Long Legs, by Jean Webster
Meal: Pani Puri (Semolina flour on the outside, with potatoes, peas, and curry spices on the inside), served with sweet chutney (tamarind, and mango flavors) and spicy chutney (cilantro flavor).
Recycled Product: My reusable woven bag made out of single-use disposable plastic bags.
Song, Movie Or Show: Could You Be Loved, by Bob Marley; Limelight, starring Charlie Chaplin, The Red Shoes, and American in Paris; Sex in the City, The Office, and House of Cards
Time Management Technique: Write a list of everything I need to do on a daily basis and check off the items as I complete them. I carry a planner and take notes inside of that.
If You Could Invite Any Three People To Dinner – Dead Or Alive—Who Would You Invite And Why?: I would invite Queen Nefertiti because she is my favorite queen, Princess Diana because I adore her and Einstein so that I could talk to him about the Theory of Relativity and time travel.