By Claudia Martinez
Jameel Bridgewater is not your typical sophomore in college. He is not only a graphic designer and photography student at Columbia College but also a young entrepreneur. As the owner of his own company, Bridgesx1913, this La Casa student is one to watch out for.
From the start of his journey in Chicago, he proved that with passion, drive, and dedication he could make his dreams and goals a reality. This young La Casa artist had no money for college or even a phone, but wanted a better education and future. He connected with an advisor who began guiding him in getting grants to finally enroll at Columbia College.
During his time at Columbia, Jameel realized the importance of branding himself as an artist. In a conversation with his roommates he realized that, unlike most doctors or professionals, he would not be making 75k+ a year.

“As we were sitting and talking about this,” he says, “we figured that if one of us fails we would always have each other’s backs. This is where I thought of the bridge.”
Bridgesx1913 was created as a way for struggling artists to have a platform to start. It’s a bridge to these artists that helps promote and share their work with the world. It is a house for any artist or creative being, a place where they can grow.
Jameel’s grandmother has been one of the major inspirations behind Bridges. When she passed at age 99, Jameel knew bridges would be built after her and would always have her spirit behind it.
“When my grandma passed,” he explains, “I put the x1913 after Bridges in her honor.” He used her inspiration to continue building Bridges. “She worked at a community center and took kids under her wing to guide them on the right path. I am doing the same with Bridges to help guide artists from all over Chicago.”
His grandmother’s passing turned him into the person he is today, but his religion is also a big part of his life and impacts the way he sees things. “Being Muslim takes a lot of discipline,” he says. “This has definitely brought me to understand that if you go for something, you definitely have to have all of your heart in it.”
Some of Jameel’s projects include hosting showcases and short films. “Everything I do today connects
to Bridges. If I’m doing a photo shoot for an artist, it connects back to Bridges. Some of my top projects include a series of showcases I did in Champaign. I also wrote and directed a short film called Reconciliation.”
This La Casa student shows that with hard work and dedication, everything is possible no matter what your past is or where you come from.
When asked about any advice he would give young artists who are trying to make it, he says, “I would tell them to brand themselves because this will help their art. It also depends on the type of art you do. If it is music, I would say find your sounds and practice. If it is art, I would say create your own look/style, be original, and do what you do best and just grow. If it is photography, I would say shoot. I would simply tell them to just to do their craft and do what they do best.”
Jameel believes that with his passion and drive he will accomplish all of his goals and dreams. His end goal is owning an art center in New York. He encourages everyone to go after their dreams without fear.
“Don’t give up on any thought or idea you may have,” he says. “Just because it did not happen in one way it does not mean it won’t happen in another.”
To learn more about Jameel’s work, visit www.bridgesx1913.com.
Claudia Martinez is a La Casa student who is interning with TRP. From La Casa to Your Casa is her inside glimpse of life at La Casa Student Housing.

Return to Nueva Vida April 2014 here.