Janet Smollett is not just the mother of Jussie, Jurnee, Jake, Jazz, Jojo, and Jocqui Smollett, who are all successful in the entertainment industry. She is also a remarkable woman who has a passion for activism, cooking, and family. In this blog post, we will explore her life story, her achievements, and her legacy.
Early life and activism
Janet Smollett was born as Janet Harris on November 27, 1952, in New Orleans, Louisiana. She grew up in a time when racial discrimination and segregation were rampant in the US. She witnessed the struggles and injustices faced by the African-American community and decided to join the fight for civil rights.
She moved to the Bay Area, where she met and worked with prominent activists like Bobby Seale, Huey Newton, Julian Bond, and Angela Davis. She was part of the Black Panther Party, a revolutionary organization that advocated for black liberation, self-defense, and social justice. She also participated in protests, rallies, and campaigns against racism, police brutality, and imperialism.
Marriage and family
While working for the civil rights movement, Janet met Joel Smollett, a Jewish immigrant from Russia who shared her ideals and values. They fell in love and got married in the 1970s. They settled in California and started a family.
They had six children: Jussie, Jurnee, Jake, Jazz, Jojo, and Jocqui, who were all born between 1982 and 1994. They raised their children with love, discipline, and encouragement. They exposed them to different cultures, arts, and cuisines. They also instilled in them a sense of social responsibility and activism.
Janet and Joel supported their children’s dreams and talents. They helped them pursue careers in acting, singing, dancing, and cooking. They also taught them to stick together and support each other as siblings.
Cooking and legacy
Janet Smollett had a passion for cooking since she was young. She learned how to cook from her mother and grandmother, who were both excellent chefs. She also experimented with different recipes and ingredients from various cuisines, such as Creole, Cajun, Jewish, and African.
She passed on her love and skills for cooking to her children, who often helped her in the kitchen. She also published a cookbook with them, titled The Family Table: Recipes and Moments from a Nomadic Life, in 2018. The cookbook features some of her family’s favorite dishes, stories, and photos.
Janet Smollett is a woman of strength, courage, and grace. She has lived a life of service, sacrifice, and love. She has inspired and influenced many people, especially her children, who continue to honor her legacy through their work and actions. She is a true matriarch of a creative family.
Janet Smollett Net Worth
Janet Smollett’s net worth is estimated to be over $250,000 as of 2024. She has earned most of her wealth from her work as a civil rights activist, a teacher, and a chef. She also benefits from the success of her children, who are all involved in the entertainment industry.
Controversy And Activism Of Janet Smollett
Janet Smollett is a civil rights activist who has been involved in various social justice causes since her youth. She was a member of the Black Panther Party and worked with prominent leaders like Bobby Seale and Huey Newton. She also participated in protests against racism, police brutality, and imperialism.
Janet Smollett has also faced some controversy in recent years, mainly due to her son Jussie Smollett’s alleged false report of a hate crime in 2019. Jussie claimed that he was attacked by two men who shouted racist and homophobic slurs at him, but later investigations revealed that he had paid the men to stage the attack. Jussie was initially charged with 16 felony counts of disorderly conduct, but the charges were controversially dropped by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Janet Smollett has stood by her son throughout the ordeal and defended him against the accusations. She has also received support from her other children, who have expressed their love and admiration for her. Janet Smollett remains a strong and influential figure in her family and in her community.
Conclusion
Janet Smollett is an amazing woman who has dedicated her life to fighting for justice, raising a creative family, and sharing her passion for cooking. She is a role model for many people who aspire to make a positive difference in the world. She is also a loving mother who is proud of her children and their achievements. Janet Smollett is a matriarch of a creative family.
