About

Janean L. Watkins, a creative professional with over 20 years of experience, founded the award-winning .:SEEDS:. Literary Arts Journal and was the first Black Editor-in-Chief of Northeastern Illinois University's newspaper. She established Urban Matrix Creative Solutions LLC in 2016, offering web design, content management, and web series production to small businesses, artists, and entrepreneurs, leading to one season of a web series called Boss Chronicles and a 4 issue print of Urban Matrix Magazine, both of which featured Chicago-based brands and stunning examples of local entrepreneurship.

Janean collaborates with organizations like Soul Survivors of Chicago, Women With A Vision, Louisiana Coalition for Reproductive Freedom, LIFT Louisiana, Austin Community Family Center, and National Council of African Women, advocating for social justice causes. In November 2023, she became the Communications/Technology Manager for Chicago Volunteer Doulas, promoting birth and reproductive justice.

Janean has co-produced, produced, and directed documentary shorts and music videos. Her interests include technology justice, franchise fandoms, writing, reading, and video gaming. As the Owner and Creative Director for the Urban Matrix Family of Brands, Janean works towards community empowerment.