"When we nurture our creative self, we activate self-exploration, self-expression, and self-determination—laying the foundation for future generations to dream boldly, think deeply, and build a brighter, more compassionate world."
As the Founder of Tallawah, Olivia Jobe believes that visual and performing arts have transformative healing power. Olivia is a passionate advocate for art as a catalyst for community empowerment and social impact. She believes in merging various art forms with wellness practices to promote holistic well-being. As the Executive Director of Tallawah, Olivia leads community initiatives that engage the arts, while simultaneously fostering mentorship, resillience, and unity.
Originally from Buffalo, New York, Olivia’s journey into the arts began early. She graduated from the Buffalo Academy of Visual and Performing Arts, where she concentrated on playwriting in theatre arts and developed a deep appreciation for diverse artistic expressions throughout the local arts scene. She later earned a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Anthropology from the University at Albany, SUNY, and went on to earn her Juris Doctor from Albany Law School.
In addition to her dedication to the arts and wellness at Tallawah, Olivia is an advocate for environmental justice and an attorney. She practices environmental and land use regulatory compliance, permitting, and siting, with a personal commitment to advancing environmental protection, climate resilience, and equitable land conservation.
As a devoted wife and mother of two young daughters, Olivia champions families, women and children's rights—as reflected in her work at Tallawah, where the focus is to uplift women, children, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC communities.
As a woman of mixed-race heritage with Jamaican roots, Olivia is determined to remind marginalized communities that they're tallawah—true to its name, it means strong-willed and not to be underestimated, embodying principles of strength and resilience.
Contact Information:
EMAIL: ojobe@tallawah.org
