Jaqueline Fleming: Balancing Art, Business & Purpose On and Off the Screen

Delux caught up with actress, producer, and director Jaqueline Fleming, whose passion for storytelling and fearless approach to filmmaking make her one to watch.

In an industry that demands both creativity and control, Jaqueline Fleming has mastered the art of doing it all. The actress, producer, and director continues to carve her own lane, proving that storytelling is as much about vision as it is about voice.

Known for powerful performances in films like Atone opposite Columbus Short, The Ledge alongside Terrence Howard, and the BET series The Quad, Fleming brings depth and authenticity to every character she portrays. “As an actor, you have to be fully present in the moment,” she says. “But as a producer, you have to be aware of everything happening around you. It’s a constant balance.”

That balance was put to the test with her projects Stronghold and Deadfall—two works that pushed her creative and professional boundaries. “Stronghold was all hands on deck,” she recalls. “I was producing and acting in one of the most layered roles I’ve ever played.”

And when it came to Deadfall, Fleming stepped into the director’s chair for the first time. “It was my crash course in directing,” she laughs. “I learned so much just sitting in the editing room, seeing what worked and what didn’t. My script supervisor, Felecia Howell, definitely saved me from a few near disasters!”

Now, with every new project, Fleming moves with intention—bringing her experience as both an artist and entrepreneur to the forefront. “I’ve learned to trust my team and trust the process,” she says. “Every challenge has been a lesson that made me stronger, sharper, and more grounded in my purpose.”

Whether she’s in front of the camera or behind it, Jaqueline Fleming continues to inspire by example—proving that when passion meets persistence, there are no limits. Read on for the full interview.

Delux: You’ve built such a dynamic career as both an actor and producer. What originally drew you to storytelling on screen?

Jaqueline: As a little girl, I remember watching commercials and repeating the dialogue. I was fascinated by the actors on the screen. I grew up on Good Times, The Jeffersons, and The Cosby Show, and I just fell in love with that world. Oh, and I remember seeing Roots as a teen, and I knew I wanted to tell powerful stories through my acting. I dived into theater at around age five or six, playing Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. The Negro Ensemble Theatre Company in NYC was literally my babysitter—I was in there watching rehearsals as a kid, seeing the likes of James Earl Jones on stage. The legends in our industry—I watched them as a kid. From day one, I always knew who and what I wanted to be.

Delux: From Hijacked to Wrong Place Wrong Time and beyond, you’ve taken on diverse roles. Do you have a favorite character you’ve played so far—and why?

Jaqueline: First off, I love Footage Film Studios, Juanita Stokes, and director Christopher Stokes. He creates these amazing roles and stories for actors to play in. I’ve been really blessed to work with amazing directors like him. Honestly, one of my favorite roles I ever played was a mom whose daughter was kidnapped in a movie called Atone, opposite Columbus Short—and Beast of the Bering Sea! It was drama, action, and stunts all rolled into one.

For a dramatic role, I’d say The Ledge opposite Terrence Howard. He’s such an amazing actor to work opposite—my GOD, he’s spontaneous and in the moment, and it’s exciting to work with actors like that! I also LOVED being on the BET TV series The Quad—wow, that storyline I had with Reuben Santiago-Hudson was pretty powerful. And for comedy, it’s TMI! OMG, filmmaker-actor Reggie Gaskins wrote this amazing script, and talk about a fun character to play! Think: everything that could go wrong the day before your wedding—comedy, comedy, dramedy! 

Delux: As both an actor and a film producer, how do you balance stepping into a character with managing the bigger picture behind the scenes?

Jaqueline: It’s challenging because I’m half artist-creative, half biz-boss. Half actor, half producer. As an actor, you have to be present in the moment to what’s right in front of you, and as a producer, you have to be aware of everything around you at all times. So I have to let go and trust my key team—my producers and my producing partner, T. Bankolé—so I can zone in as an actor. I flip back and forth all day. When the director says, “Cut, moving on,” then I take that moment to check in, but I don’t break my character or focus until we’re moving on to the next setup for the day.

Delux: What’s one role or project that challenged you the most and taught you something new about yourself?

Jaqueline: It was definitely Stronghold, the project I acted in and also produced, along with the executive producer. Jeez—it was all hands on deck all the time while playing an extremely complicated and layered character.

Also Deadfall, a project I produced and directed. It was so challenging because it was the first one I ever directed, and I just jumped in clueless—it was my crash course in directing. I actually learned how to direct from sitting in the editing room every day, learning from all my epic mistakes as a first-time director. I’m hard on myself, so maybe not “mistakes,” but a lack of understanding of the full scope of directing. I missed important elements that move a story forward—things fixable in post or with pickup shots, but preventable during filming.

My script supervisor, Felecia Howell, had my back—thank God for her! Otherwise, it probably would’ve been a hot mess. I also picked a very challenging piece for my first time directing, which was not the best choice—but again, I learned so much. Now I can speak to a director on set in their language and look at the monitors as a producer and know if we’re on point or not.

Delux: The entertainment industry is constantly evolving. How have you adapted your career path as opportunities and trends shift?

Jaqueline: People say I have nine lives in this game, LOL! I’m always staying busy and creating opportunities for myself and others. I’ve only really worked for me my entire life. Maybe four years total waitressing, but otherwise, I’ve been a full-time artist since my 20s.

I’ve stayed relevant by creating opportunities. I created an acting studio, a management company, a talent agency, and a production company—and now, a distribution company. I’m always creating something. I don’t wait on Hollywood or an agent or manager. I provide my own opportunities constantly. I think outside the box. I don’t fear anything but GOD. I wake up and get to it. I don’t entertain distractions. I’m super focused and driven. God put big visions in me, and I won’t stop until they all come to pass. I want a massive deal with a premium streamer for my production company—MASSIVE.

Delux: You’ve been active not just in front of the camera but also producing. What inspired you to take control behind the camera?

Jaqueline: Being behind the camera was about keeping myself in the game and gainfully employed. Hollywood is quick to close the door or limit how much we work—especially Black women. I’m like, I don’t think so! Nobody defines when and how I work. If I want to work, I create the role or the project. If I want to produce, I raise the money and produce it. I don’t have a “sit back and wait” attitude.

Delux: When developing or producing projects, what stories matter most to you—and why?

Jaqueline: Stories that entertain. Stories that sell. I’m always thinking part creative, part business. And definitely stories that showcase us—in front of and behind the camera. Stories that champion Black women as leads.

I’m about to produce a vertical series because we’re not represented well in that space, so I’m giving it a go! I’ve got a TV story I created that I want to tell, so I’m producing the vertical series and putting it out into the world—putting us in lead roles.

Delux: Can you share what excites you most about the next wave of independent filmmaking?

Jaqueline: The emerging actors and filmmakers—the new faces! I’ve been discovering and mentoring aspiring actors for a long time, and I have a list of success stories, so that excites me. Seeing people’s dreams come true! We could do a whole separate interview about my acting studio and the now film and TV stars I discovered and mentored.

Delux: For women—especially Black women—breaking into producing can be tough. What advice would you give to young creatives looking to follow that path?

Jaqueline: Know the business! Be educated. I spent eight long years at the kitchen table burning the candle, learning about producing—studying, reading, researching, networking. I’ve been producing content since 2010—gathering people together and shooting content. Fifteen years later, I’m doing it on a professional level.

I can hold my own in any room. I speak finance, distribution, and creative languages. I understand development, packaging, funding, production, distribution, and marketing. I have strong ties in the entertainment industry, and I’m respected. It took a lot of hard, hard, hard work to get here! Nobody shepherded me in—I’m literally self-taught. I taught myself producing and distribution, then just kicked the door in and started doing it.

Delux: Representation in film and television has been a hot topic. How do you see your work contributing to opening more doors for diverse voices?

Jaqueline: Easy—I’m creating content for us! I mentor aspiring actors, writers, and filmmakers, and I launched a distribution company in March 2025 entitled SLATE. I’m distributing content globally, growing and creating opportunities to tell, fund, and distribute our stories. I want to be self-contained. I don’t rely on anyone to do what I can do for myself.

Delux: Who are some of your personal inspirations—actors, filmmakers, or mentors—who influenced your journey?

Jaqueline: Juanita Stokes and Kim Ogletree—I admire them as producers and women trailblazers! Director Christopher Stokes inspires me because I see firsthand that it’s achievable—he’s produced and directed over 50 movies!

My sisters Tanya, Adero, Amberr, Monique, and Anki—straight bosses in their fields—are my go-tos for inspiration. My BFF Mikki Val—I don’t know where I’d be without her friendship! Suzette, Ken, and Greg—my first investors at my production company.

My business partner, Bankolé, inspires me tremendously—he’s a master negotiator! Jon Gosier, Terry L. Williams (mentor and early investor in my acting studio and production company), my pastor mom Dr. Arnella Pierce who instilled my faith walk, my Aunt Bea, and my film agent Cindy Hill who always has my back.

As our conversation with Jacqueline Fleming comes to a close, one thing is clear: her dedication, creativity, and fearless approach to storytelling continue to set her apart in the industry. From acting to producing and directing, she’s proving that versatility and vision go hand in hand.

Don’t miss her latest work—Love the Skin You’re In premiering October 18th at the 2025 Hollywood Black Film Festival!   Be sure to check it out and experience the powerful performances and storytelling she’s known for.

Through JAQS Acting Studio, her production company At the Kitchen Table, and distribution company SLATE, she’s spent decades championing others’ dreams. She loves supporting dreamers, connecting the dots, and creating opportunities for people to realize their visions.

Jaqueline Fleming is reachable on Instagram: @iamjaquelinefleming | @jaqsactingstudio