I’m Brooke Jacobs, an artist, cultural thinker, and emerging creative leader working at the intersections of storytelling, music, and community arts. I graduated from Barnard College with a background in American Studies and Ethnomusicology, where I began building my commitment to using art as a tool for understanding, connection, and cultural transformation. During that time, I gained valuable experiences working in the entertainment industries, navigating creative production, artist development, and the complexities of representing culture through media. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to work across the arts and humanities ecosystem — from creative community development efforts at the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, to grant evaluation at the National Endowment for the Arts, to my current role at PBS, where I contribute to the editorial, cultural, and ethical integrity of public media by screening and preparing national television programming. Across each of these spaces, I’ve become increasingly devoted to shaping cultural work that is imaginative and resonant.

At the core of my artistic and professional passion is the belief that stories and creative expression can awaken inner truth — both individually and collectively. I’m drawn to work that brings marginalized voices into fuller visibility, reframes how we see ourselves, and expands the possibilities of belonging. In the long run, I hope to help cultivate cultural spaces that feel spiritual, visionary, expansive, and boldly expressive. I want to create and support art that encourages people to understand themselves more deeply while also widening their understanding of others. Whether through my own music and writing or through the institutional roles I take on, I aim to contribute to a cultural landscape that is more transcendent, honest, and attuned to the beauty and complexity of human experience.

I joined the 30U30 Mentorship program because I was looking for guidance that met me at the intersection of creativity, connection, leadership, and cultural impact. I wanted to learn from someone who has built a meaningful career while staying true to their artistic and humanistic values – someone who prioritizes community, depth, and expansive risk-taking . My experience has been deeply grounding so far; the program has given me structure, perspective, and a sense of community with other young cultural practitioners. My mentor, Jerome De Baecque, has helped me refine my long-term vision as an artist and creative professional. His advice on building a public presence that protects both my boundaries and my creativity has already transformed the way I imagine my future, and I couldn’t thank him or the 30U30 leaders enough for this experience. I’m leaving this program with greater clarity, confidence, and a renewed commitment to my artistic and professional path.