When they turn their back on you & you still tell the truth
J. Ross Parrelli is a rapper, slam poet, educator, and founder of Beats Lyrics Leaders — a hip hop arts education organization that has worked with over 50,000 students across 150+ classrooms, from military academies to Native American reservations.
In this conversation, J. Ross and Jen go deep on what it actually costs to speak your truth and what it gives back. J. Ross shares the story of being publicly defamed for standing and serving on matters she believed in.
They also get into killer stories from J. Ross’s OG days; rap and slam poetry as the original truth-telling art forms, what it looks like to win a crowd that has already turned their backs on you (literally!), why J. Ross prefers consideration over empathy, and how Beats Lyrics Leaders teaches kids to find their voice before the world trains it out of them.
Here’s J. Ross Parrelli’s talk from the TEDxFolsom stage in 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK5d4hrPmc4&list=PLoiAX9Nj300p_XILWp-Zv5WaYkrphncUT&index=1
Guest Bio:
J Ross Parrelli is a global touring, award-winning recording artist, civic leader, and frequency architect rewiring community through education, the creative economy, and advocacy. As founder of Beats Lyrics Leaders and Kidzapalooza.org, and leader of the Creative Economy Entrepreneurship Initiative at Roseville Venture Lab, she builds pipelines from arts education to workforce for creatives while serving in regional leadership roles on the Auburn Economic Development Commission, Placer County Economic Development Board, and Arts Council of Placer County. A former elected trustee of Auburn Union School District, active advocate with Arts Now – Create California and Right to Start, and a recent TEDx speaker, she brings a systems-level lens to equity, access, and opportunity in the arts, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
Website: https://jrossinspires.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/jrossparrelli
Facebook: https://Facebook.com/JRossParrelli
YouTube: https://youtube.com/jrossparrelli
LinkedIn: https://Linkedin.com/JRossParrelli
About Jen Oliver:
Jen Oliver is a speaker, podcaster, and communications coach - equipping people to speak with greater impact and presence. Whether you are speaking on stage, promoting your brand, or voicing your needs in a relationship - communicating with your truest voice and cultivating human connection with your audience is the key to influence. Jen coaches individuals privately and within her Signature group programs - in addition to delivering workshops as a guest expert in a variety of settings.
Jen serves as a 4-season Executive Producer, Director of Curation, and Speaker Coach for TEDxFolsom. She is a committed force behind WomanSpeak™ - an internationally recognized body of work teaching the art and soul of public speaking. Jen is on a mission to support 1 million women as they speak with uncommon levels of freedom and confidence. Tap into more at
email: jen@REALjenoliver.com
podcast website: ListenForREAL.com
website: REALJenOliver.com
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