Alexandre Cyusa
Unfiltered and Unapologetic: Josette ‘Jo’ Ciceron on Decolonized Storytelling, Resilience, and Creating Community in Fargo-Moorhead
Josette “Jo” Ciceron is a Haitian American journalist, published author, speaker, and the voice behind Unapologetically Anxious Me: Confessions of a Haitian Girl. Her podcast and media company, UAM Media LLC, amplify diverse voices and perspectives, striving to create a platform where Black and marginalized stories can shine. Jo’s work is as much about connection and healing as it is about storytelling. As a published author, her book, Unapologetically Anxious Me: Confessions, Stories & Musings of a Haitian American Girl, is available on Amazon, offering readers a raw and powerful glimpse into her life journey and bicultural upbringing.
With her two decades of experience as a journalist and interviewer, Jo brings a warm and curious approach to her podcast, digging beneath the surface with notable celebrities, experts, and guests to reveal the stories behind the image. Her mission is to create spaces where people feel safe, seen, and valued. Still finding her place here in the Fargo-Moorhead community—she is passionate about taking in new perspectives and having open dialogues.
Here, Jo shares more about her journey, her inspirations, and her hopes for Fargo-Moorhead in this Q&A with Meet Fargo.
Your podcast, “Unapologetically Anxious Me,” is deeply personal and rooted in storytelling. What inspired you to start it, and how has it evolved over time?
“Unapologetically Anxious Me” started as my personal outlet—a space where I could be honest about my mental health, identity, and experiences as a Black Haitian American woman navigating life in predominantly white spaces. I realized that in sharing my truth, I was creating something bigger than myself: a space where others, especially those who feel unheard, could see themselves reflected.
Over time, the podcast has grown into a powerful platform where I have the privilege of interviewing incredible guests—celebrities, experts, activists, and everyday people with extraordinary stories. I love going beyond surface-level conversations, truly getting to know the person behind the public image. My goal is always to foster deep, meaningful dialogue that challenges, inspires, and reminds us of our shared humanity.
You are a journalist, podcaster, author, and speaker. How do these different roles connect in your work?
At the heart of everything I do is storytelling. Whether through writing, podcasting, or speaking, my goal is to explore people, ideas, and culture from a decolonized perspective—challenging mainstream narratives and amplifying voices that are too often overlooked.
As a journalist, I’m passionate about diving into complex stories, asking the hard questions, and learning from different perspectives. As an author, my book “Unapologetically Anxious Me: Confessions, Stories & Musings of a Haitian American Girl” is a deeply personal reflection of my journey. And as a speaker, I’ve openly shared my experiences with mental health, racism, and resilience, hoping to empower others through vulnerability. Each of these roles feeds into the other, allowing me to create spaces where authenticity and truth-telling are celebrated.
As a Black woman and Haitian American living in Fargo-Moorhead, what challenges have you faced, and what changes would you like to see in the community?
Moving to Minnesota, especially Alexandria, was a profound culture shock. The racism I experienced there shaped so much of my journey, even in ways I didn’t fully realize until I left and had the space to reflect. It wasn’t just about blatant discrimination—it was the constant isolation, the microaggressions, and the feeling of always being seen as “other.” Even in Fargo-Moorhead, there is still a noticeable gap in spaces where Black people truly feel at home.
One of the biggest changes I want to see is the intentional creation of spaces for us. So often, as Black people, we live in communities that were not built with us in mind. It makes a huge difference to have businesses, events, and initiatives that are designed for us, that center our interests, our culture, and our experiences. Representation matters—not just in leadership or in performative ways, but in everyday life, in the spaces where we gather, celebrate, and exist without feeling like outsiders.
You are very engaged in community work. How do you bring people together, and what kind of events do you hope to host in the future?
One of my greatest joys is bringing people together over food and conversation. There is something deeply powerful about breaking bread with others—it’s a cultural act, a way of building community, and a form of storytelling in itself.
Last year, during Black History Month, I hosted a community dinner with Dr. Jason Sole, where I catered the food myself, sharing Haitian cuisine with attendees. It was an evening of powerful discussion, cultural exchange, and connection, and it reinforced just how vital these spaces are. I want to continue hosting events like this—dinners, discussions, and creative gatherings where Black voices are not only included but centered.
These aren’t just events; they are acts of resistance and affirmation. They remind us that we belong, that our culture matters, and that we deserve to have spaces where we feel at home.
What drives your passion for storytelling, and why is it so important in your work?
Storytelling is at the core of everything I do because, as Black people, our stories have historically been erased, distorted, or told through a lens that doesn’t belong to us. There is immense power in reclaiming our narratives, in speaking our truth without apology—now more than ever.
I’ve always believed that vulnerability is a revolutionary act—especially in a world that expects Black women to be strong all the time. Sharing our experiences, our struggles, and our triumphs isn’t just about self-expression; it’s about survival, about reminding each other that we are not alone.
That’s why I love interviewing people, whether on my podcast or in my journalism work. I want to know what drives them, what challenges they’ve faced, what lessons they’ve learned. Everyone has a story, and when we share them with honesty and depth, we create opportunities for healing, connection, and change.
Facebook | /UnapologeticallyAnxiousMe
Instagram | @unapologeticallyanxiouspod
