Jo-Ann Wilson

Jo-Ann Wilson received a BA from New York University with a double major in Music and Journalism. She is a Licensed Master Social Worker, author, singer/songwriter, pianist, playwright, actor, motivational speaker, and educator. She has written Black History Month coloring books on a variety of topics. Her inspirational play, Pages from the Diary of an Ex-Slave, was performed at the Vail Leavitt Music Hall, the Gateway Playhouse, and other venues. As a motivational speaker, Jo-Ann has addressed national conventions, mental health organizations, juvenile detention facilities, corporations, and nonprofit organizations. She was also a keynote speaker for the Long Island Committee on Sexual Abuse.

Jo-Ann is the founder of INSPIRED, an organization whose mission is to use the arts as a vehicle to instill a sense of worthiness in individuals, confront misconceptions on a community level, as well as promote and encourage difficult conversations that can lead to mutual understanding between different cultures. She is a therapist and guided imagery practitioner who uses the arts as a vehicle for healing and advocacy.