Jessica GARRETT modkins
 
​AGENCY CEO | PUBLISHER | CULTURAL IMPACT EXECUTIVE

Jessica is also the founder of Hip Rock Star Media, publisher of The Culture News and executive director of The Historic Society. Through these platforms, she produces journalism, television programming, documentaries, live experiences and historical initiatives that explore the intersection of culture, commerce, civic engagement and community advancement. Her work reflects a lifelong commitment to ensuring that important people, businesses and stories receive the visibility they deserve.

 

Her television and film credits include directing and producing short- and long-form content, the inaugural HBCU Honors Awards, the docuseries Miami’s Richmond Heights and HBCU Homecomings. The inaugural HBCU Honors Awards, filmed at Miami’s historic Lyric Theater and hosted by Wendy Raquel Robinson, featured special appearances by Oprah Winfrey and Reverend Al Sharpton. Jessica’s production work demonstrates her ability to combine culturally relevant storytelling with polished, nationally resonant programming.
 

Her connection to media began early. Jessica started her professional career in Miami’s entertainment industry as a radio personality and DJ on WEDR 99 Jamz. Even earlier, she made history as the first Black baby featured in a Pampers commercial. After years of searching, she recently recovered footage of the advertisement—an especially meaningful discovery for a marketing and media executive whose life’s work has centered on visibility, representation and storytelling.
 

Jessica is also a historian and co-author of Images of America: Miami’s Richmond Heights, written with her late mother, Patricia Ann Harper Garrett. In 2014, their work and Jessica’s community service were recognized in the United States Congressional Record. Congressman Joe Garcia commemorated the 65th anniversary of Richmond Heights and acknowledged the significance of their efforts to document and preserve the history of one of Miami’s earliest planned communities developed for Black families.

​

Jessica recently expanded her commitment to preserving and teaching Black history with the release of Miami’s Richmond Heights: Early Learner Edition, now available on Amazon. Created for young readers, the book introduces children to the history and legacy of Richmond Heights, one of Miami’s earliest planned communities established for Black families. The publication reflects Jessica’s dedication to making local history accessible, engaging and meaningful for future generations.

​

Her dedication to service has included thousands of volunteer hours championing entrepreneurs, young people and historically underserved communities. She continues her mother’s legacy through the Patricia Ann Harper Garrett Educational Fund, which provides an annual $5,000 scholarship to a student attending Bethune-Cookman University.
 

Jessica’s leadership and influence have earned recognition as a 2026 Modern Luxury Miami Dynamic Woman, one of Miami’s Top 50 Women Leaders and an AT&T Florida Black History Honoree. She has also received the Culture Champion Award for advocating for the voices and needs of underserved communities and was selected for the Accenture Diverse Supplier Development Program, an initiative focused on business growth, sustainability, commercial opportunity and digital transformation.

​

Her civic and professional service has included leadership with the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, the Black Owned Media Alliance, The Historic Society and the Greater Miami Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and The Links, Incorporated. Jessica earned her Bachelors of Arts degree from North Carolina A&T State University in Broadcast News Radio & TV News and received her Masters of Science from West Virginia University in Integrated Marketing Communications.

​

Today, Jessica is expanding her impact as an author, keynote speaker, business growth strategist, marketing consultant, professional-development facilitator, media commentator, producer and moderator. Her latest book, Miami’s Richmond Heights: Early Learner Edition, is available on Amazon and continues her mission to preserve Black history and introduce its significance to a new generation.

 

Whether she is leading a campaign, advising an organization, producing a major event, preserving Black history or preparing the next generation of leaders, Jessica Garrett Modkins remains guided by one purpose: to use strategy, storytelling, influence and access to build platforms, create opportunities and leave a lasting legacy.