Jenkins Tells Stories the World Needs to See
When Jimmy Jenkins ’13 was considering possible careers for his future, he knew he wanted to do something that would impact people’s lives.
Then he thought: What better way to do that than through the big screen?
After graduating from Salisbury University, Jenkins started a sensational career in the film industry, working at Black Entertainment Television (BET) and Tyler Perry Studios. But after a few years working for major companies, he realized that he could do more – and he had already done it as a student at SU.
“It was a grander scale, but really, it was no different than what they taught me at SU,” Jenkins said. “I realized I could produce my own films, because I had done it when I was a student.”
If students had an idea or a vision, the University was really open to providing the opportunity to make it happen.
Jimmy Jenkins ’13
Jenkins has been writing and producing plays ever since he was a sophomore in college. After putting on a play in his hometown of Glenarden, MD, he was approached to produce a play at SU for Black History Month. He said it was an opportunity he will never forget.
“If students had an idea or a vision, the University was really open to providing the opportunity to make it happen,” Jenkins said. “That was one of the first plays I ever did in my life, and it was right at SU.”
Jenkins has been running the show ever since, telling new stories the world needs to see. He has produced eight original stage plays and in 2017 produced his debut feature film, Sinners Wanted, which premiered on BET and TV One. His documentary, Basketball Country: In the Water, premiered on Showtime in 2020. He continues to work on more projects, including a documentary series on “Chocolate City D.C.,” set to begin filming in 2024.
While it was a risk and a lot of hard work, Jenkins knew he could succeed because of the foundation he was given.
“My professors at SU had such a big impact on my life. They really cared about educating us to be effective in our professions,” Jenkins said. “SU provided me with a great opportunity to be ahead of my peers by the time I came into the work force.”
Now, being his own entrepreneur allows Jenkins the freedom to see unmet needs in the world and be part of positive change. That’s what started one of his most recent ventures: a free streaming service called Playwatch Kids (www.playwatchkids.com), which aims to close the availability gap for diverse children’s content.
“I thought about the idea after my nephew told me that he didn’t want to be Black, because he wanted to look like his favorite superhero, who is white,” Jenkins said. “I decided then that I’m going to make more Black superheroes, so he isn’t upset to be in the skin he’s in.”
Jenkins explained that while major streaming services like Netflix may have some diverse content, it is a very small percentage. He often has to go looking for media for his kids to watch where they can see themselves as the hero.
“It’s so hard to find balanced representation in the media that’s out there for our kids,” Jenkins said. “So, I thought, ‘What if you had a streaming service that is completely diverse?’”
Jenkins hopes Playwatch Kids will provide a great benefit to children who can’t see themselves represented in the media right now. The platform is currently available in several school districts, and Jenkins is working on expanding content targeted toward Spanish-speaking children. By this time next year, he hopes to have a full platform with content to entertain and educate children of all backgrounds.
In recognition of the successful career Jenkins has built for himself since graduating from SU, he was recently given the Alumni Association’s Young Alumni Achievement Award.
“For being a public university and for the price I paid to go there, what I learned at SU was invaluable,” Jenkins said. “SU is a beautiful place, and I’m glad I went there.”
