About

WHAT WE DO

JET Mode Media Academy (Dallas) is a visionary 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering disconnected youth and young adults through comprehensive workshops, cutting-edge training, invaluable mentorship, and seamless job placement within the dynamic realm of multimedia arts.

At JET Mode, we revolutionize traditional learning approaches by embodying the essence of a creative service agency. Our innovative model not only unlocks the untapped potential of teens but also propels their future earning capacity and enhances their employability, all while fostering a deep-seated desire for advanced education and training.

As a beacon of creativity and innovation, JET Mode serves as a transformative youth creative agency and a vibrant innovation hub for aspiring young minds. We are fervently committed to nurturing creativity among youths in underrepresented areas, shaping the landscape of the next generation of digital media professionals through unparalleled training and unwavering support.

Our pipeline comprises of three significant components: Community, Youth Training, and Creative Agency

Community

Uniquely, unlike any other after school program in or around Dallas, we bring our after school program to you! We bring the staff, projects and innovative ideas to offer structured, technologically savvy, curriculum/project-based programs that increase quality digital storytelling taught by creative professionals. Our clients supply the facility, technology, equipment and most importantly, the teens, to produce innovative solutions and creative digital media!

Youth Training

For teens in the DFW Metroplex, year-round programs, workshops and camps are offered during school holidays, on most weekends and during the summer. (Registration will be required) We work in creative spaces around the city including community centers,’ studios and local businesses for on-site training, mentorship, and job-shadowing experiences. Teens who want to be a part of something spectacular should follow us on social media to find out when and where to register and attend any of our upcoming events.

Creative Agency

At JET Mode Media Academy, we offer an unparalleled opportunity for creative teens to immerse themselves in dynamic projects alongside seasoned professionals from Dallas' vibrant business community. Here, teenage creatives and artists don't just participate – they lead. Their voices matter, their ideas spark innovation, and their contributions are valued as equal partners at the table. While prior artistic experience isn't necessary, an insatiable thirst for knowledge and a passion for creativity are all that's needed to thrive in our collaborative environment!

Leadership

In 2019, Dallas native Jennifer Turner embarked on a visionary journey, founding JET Mode Media Academy. Jennifer’s path to launching this transformative initiative was shaped by her own experiences. Fresh out of Stephen F. Austin State University with a BFA in Digital Media Communications, Jennifer ventured into the world of secondary education as a digital media arts teacher. However, she soon realized the stark realities facing her students:

Limited time within the confines of a standard class schedule stifled their creative potential.
A lack of access to essential resources, such as software and computers, hindered their ability to create outside of school.
Students were devoid of exposure to the myriad of opportunities within the creative industry, leaving them feeling disconnected and unrepresented.

Moreover, Jennifer observed firsthand the glaring lack of diversity in the creative workforce during field trips to design agencies, where African Americans accounted for a mere 1% of the workforce. This profound disparity fueled Jennifer’s unwavering commitment to championing diversity and inclusion in the technology and digital media sectors, laying the groundwork for the inception of JET Mode Media Academy.

Our Vision: To empower under-resourced teens with the tools for self-sufficiency through meaningful employment in multimedia design and technology.

Our Mission: To cultivate wealth-building opportunities for disconnected youth, fostering independence, creativity, and employment within the digital media industry.

Our Goal: To embolden students to transition from passive consumers to creators of digital media, while simultaneously enriching urban communities by bridging the gap between young talent and the business community.

With fervent community support, Jennifer spearheaded the launch of JET Mode Academy’s inaugural training workshop in the winter of 2019, just prior to the onset of COVID-19. However, the narrative of JET Mode Media Academy is not solely Jennifer’s to define—it’s a collective endeavor. Will we merely discuss diversity, or will we take action? Will we invest our time and resources into programs that drive tangible change? Will we mentor, advocate, and amplify unheard voices? These questions are not exclusive to JET Mode—they resonate with us all. What will you do to catalyze change in our industry, our community, and our nation?