Speaking of Phenomenal | Journalism for Women and Gender-Expansive Voices

Speaking of Phenomenal is an independent podcast covering women and gender-expansive people mainstream media hasn't found yet. Host Amy Boyle, a multimedia journalist and adjunct lecturer in photojournalism and visual storytelling at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, reports longform narrative conversations with women and gender-expansive people doing significant work the news cycle has yet to document. The work began in 2018 as the 52 Phenomenal Women Project, a portrait storytelling series that produced 104 reported profiles and was covered by the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Reader and NBC5. The podcast launched in October 2020 as the audio extension of that journalism. Now in its sixth season, with 65 episodes and counting, Speaking of Phenomenal has reached 100 countries and 782 cities. Every person you'll hear has a story the world should know. And they sound like this. www.speakingofphenomenal.com. Support the show via our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/u25038150

Guest

Jennifer Jones

Jennifer Jones is a renowned dancer, recognized as the first African American Radio City Rockette and a Broadway performer who was part of the original cast of the iconic show "42nd Street", which won a Tony Award for Best Revival.

She is celebrated as a dedicated activist advocating for equal rights in the arts, with her contributions acknowledged by esteemed institutions such as the Harlem School of the Arts, Radio City Music Hall, and Madison Square Garden. Jennifer's courageously battled and survived colorectal cancer, inspiring her to become a passionate advocate for early detection and screening.

Jen is also a published author, having penned the children's book "On The Line: My Story of Becoming the First African American Rockette" and is preparing for the release of her memoir, "Becoming Spectacular" (Harper Collins 2025). Jennifer currently resides in New Jersey with her husband, Jeffrey.

https://theofficialjenniferjones.com/

Guest appearance on:

First Black Rockette: Jennifer Jones on Cancer, Community & Career Purpose