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 Black women and girls 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 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, while preserving their narratives and history in media and entertainment. We cultivate community among Black women and girls by empowering and encouraging them to occupy space unapologetically—across podcasts, television, advertising, and every form of storytelling imaginable. We provide production and consulting services, ensuring Black women and girls are ethically represented in media and entertainment.
Jasmine is an award-winning audio journalist, archival researcher, public historian, and entrepreneur. Over the past decade, her work has focused on social justice issues, race, politics, and the experiences of Black women and girls. She has a background in podcasting and public radio, where she produced and reported stories for Slate Magazine, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and WHYY in Philadelphia. As an associate producer at Slate Podcasts, the audio division of Slate Magazine, Jasmine contributed to several shows, serving as an archival researcher for the award-winning Slow Burn: The L.A. Riots and helping develop A Word … With Jason Johnson, which explored race in American politics and society. She interviewed Oscar-nominated filmmaker Sophia Nahli Allison about her documentary A Love Song for Latasha and Black girlhood. Jasmine has conducted research in public history, highlighting historical moments, including the lived experiences of Black women suffragists and enslaved women and girls during the Revolutionary Era, through her work with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Park Service. Her intellectual interests include the intersection of Christianity, media, identity, race, and gender. She is also interested in Black women’s use of media as a form of resistance and activism.
Jasmine has held prestigious fellowships with the International Women’s Media Foundation, received a coveted and highly selective scholarship from the White House Correspondents’ Association, and participated in distinguished programs with the Association of Independents in Radio and the New Voices Foundation Madam C.J. Walker Institute PACE Bootcamp. Jasmine is an alumna of Spelman College, Northwestern University, and Howard University, with degrees in political science, journalism, and history.
Bridging the gap between companies and the ethical representation of Black women and girls in media and entertainment.
Our Services
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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.
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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.
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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.