Welcome to willow x arch!

EMPOWERING BLACK WOMEN AND GIRLS BY AMPLIFYING THEIR NARRATIVES AND HISTORY, ENCOURAGING THEM TO OCCUPY SPACE UNAPOLOGETICALLY—ACROSS PODCASTS, TELEVISION, ADVERTISING, AND EVERY FORM OF STORYTELLING IMAGINABLE.

Blossoming safely, securely, and collectively

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Blossoming safely, securely, and collectively ✦

who we are 

Mission: Willow x Arch (pronounced “WILL-oh and ARCH”) is a global movement that centers and uplifts Black women and girls through storytelling, while preserving their narratives and history in media and entertainment. We cultivate community among women and girls from Black communities by empowering and encouraging them to occupy space unapologetically—across podcasts, television, advertising, and every form of storytelling imaginable.

Vision: To create a world where we bridge the gap between companies and the ethical representation of Black women and girls in global media and entertainment. We assist clients in carefully developing projects that effectively tell stories across industries and disciplines, including churches, media, entertainment, academia, museums, and more.

Purpose: We produce original content and collaborate on projects to ensure Black women and girls feel seen and heard, leaving them inspired and transformed.

“Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.” - Ephesians 3:17 

MEET our founder

Jasmine M. Ellis is a Christian committed to disrupting and correcting perceptions about what it means to be Black and female worldwide. She is the founder and steward of Willow x Arch (pronounced “WILL-oh and ARCH”), a global movement that centers and uplifts Black women and girls through storytelling, preserving their narratives and history in media and entertainment. Jasmine is passionate about championing Black women and girls as they blossom in the fullness of their calling and who Jesus created them to be, purposefully building a similar refuge for them, just as her grandparents’ homes and Siloam Baptist Church provided for her on Willow Street and Arch Street in Norristown, Pennsylvania. 

An award-winning audio journalist, archival researcher, and public historian, Jasmine has a background in podcasting and public radio, where she has produced and reported stories for Slate Magazine, Mississippi Public Broadcasting in Jackson, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and WHYY in Philadelphia. As an associate producer at Slate Podcasts, the audio division of Slate Magazine, she worked on several shows, including as an archival researcher for the award-winning podcast, Slow Burn: The L.A. Riots. 

Jasmine is an alumna of Spelman College, Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, and Howard University. She is a dedicated committee member of the Taylor Morgan Hamilton Foundation, whose mission is to spread awareness about stillbirths by raising money for research and other causes that will place stillbirth awareness at the forefront of a broader national conversation. Jasmine believes in living poured out for Christ based on Matthew 16:25, which says, “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”

Bridging the gap between companies and the ethical representation of Black women and girls in media and entertainment.

Our Services

  • We assist media and entertainment companies in determining the best ways to share the stories and history of Black women and girls. This includes selecting the most compelling text, sound, and images for their projects in the documentary space, which encompasses narrative podcasting, film, and television.

    Audio Production: Our roots are in audio journalism—both public radio and podcasting—which allows us to produce episodes, conduct archival research, and consult on audio documentaries.

    Archival Research: We utilize our background in public history to research archives and identify the primary sources (e.g., speeches, photographs, video) required for documentary films and docuseries. We analyze scripts and provide feedback and suggestions on cultural sensitivity by reviewing dialogue and language use, providing cultural context, and promoting education and awareness.

  • We support media and entertainment companies by incorporating accurate historical depictions into their work.

    We research periods (e.g., cultural, societal, and political context), aid in story development, fact-check scripts, and assess the project’s sensitivity and authenticity. We also visit on-site to thoroughly examine the validity of the production’s design and elements (e.g., scenery, props, and dialect) compared to the historical period referenced. 

    • Entertainment Production and Consulting: We collaborate with companies to ensure that entertainment, including music, film, television, and literature, authentically reflects the lives of Black women and girls.

    • Curation: We assist organizations, such as museums and research centers, in showcasing history in new, engaging, and insightful ways.

    • Marketing and Advertising: We support Black women and girls across various industries, including academia, publishing, fashion, and entertainment, bringing their visions to life.

    • Ministry Consulting: We are dedicated to curating safe worship spaces for Black women and girls, partnering with ministries and churches to ensure they are cherished, respected, and empowered, whether they are part of a congregation’s membership or reside in the local neighborhood.