We’re looking forward to introducing you to Wendell Jackson. Check out our conversation below.
Wendell , we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I’m being called to speak up — not just for myself, but for everyone who’s been hurt, ignored, and silenced by the system after a work injury. For a long time, I was scared to tell my story. I didn’t want to rock the boat. I didn’t know what was “safe” to say. And honestly, I felt alone — like maybe it was just me.
But it’s not just me. I’ve had so many people reach out, quietly at first, like, “Yo… this happened to me too.” And I realized that what we’re dealing with is deeper than just a messed-up claim or bad employer. It’s a whole culture of silence, shame, and suppression. And I’m done with it.
Now, I know in my soul that I was put on this earth to help people. To be the voice for those who are afraid. To shine light on what’s broken and help others feel seen, heard, and protected — legally, emotionally, spiritually. There are ways to share your story and still be safe. That’s part of what I want to teach.
Right now, I’m answering that calling — and taking the mission global. I’ve partnered with Terraza Del Mar, a stunning rooftop restaurant in the heart of the Hotel Zone in Cancun, Mexico. It’s more than a restaurant — it’s a launchpad for impact. The owner believed in my vision when many didn’t. This partnership is helping me expand my brand, amplify my voice, and bring healing spaces to life for others. I’ll be holding nonprofit events and community activations there, blending purpose with paradise. I’m deeply grateful they took a chance on me — it reminded me that hope is still real and collaboration can be a catalyst for change.
I’m not scared anymore. And even if I feel fear sometimes, the mission is louder. I’m here for the people who’ve been flaked on — and I’m not backing down.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hey, I’m Wendell Jackson — founder of FlakeDemic and FlakeDemic Cares. I created this movement after going through one of the hardest chapters of my life: a work injury that changed everything. Instead of support, I got silence. Instead of help, I got denied, delayed, and disrespected. But that pain sparked a fire in me.
Now, I run a mission-driven brand that calls out the flakes — the companies, systems, and people who leave workers behind when they need help the most. FlakeDemic Apparel lets people wear that message. FlakeDemic Cares is the nonprofit side, where we give back to injured workers through donations, events, and powerful storytelling.
What makes this different? It’s real. It’s lived. And it’s about building something that uplifts people who’ve been overlooked for too long. I’m not here for pity — I’m here for change, for justice, and to give folks the mic who’ve been silenced.
This is bigger than a brand. It’s a movement. And we’re just getting started.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that really shaped how I see the world was when I got injured on the job.
Before that moment, I believed — like a lot of people do — that if something serious happened, there’d be a system in place to protect me. That there would be people who cared. But once I got hurt, I realized how broken the system really is. I wasn’t treated like a human being — I was treated like a liability. My pain was ignored, my voice was dismissed, and every step felt like a battle just to be heard, let alone helped.
I started seeing things differently. I saw how many people are silently suffering, especially injured workers who don’t have money, connections, or a platform to speak out. I’ve had so many reach out to me since — people who are scared, struggling, and feel completely alone. What I’ve seen, heard, and lived through is heartbreaking.
That experience opened my eyes and changed everything. It showed me just how invisible some people become once they’re no longer “useful” to a company. And it lit a fire in me to stand up, speak out, and create something that actually shows up for people — because no one deserves to be thrown away when they need help the most.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There were several times I almost gave up — especially during the so-called “healing process” when I knew deep down I wasn’t healing. I kept raising concerns, but it became clear the doctors weren’t truly working for me — they were working for the company. That realization shook me to my core. It killed my trust in people, and I still struggle with that today.
One of the lowest moments was when I was basically told, “There’s nothing more we can do,” even though I still had visible issues. I had documented complaints, my physical therapist backed me up, and they still released me prematurely. That moment broke me mentally. I felt abandoned, unheard, and invisible. But instead of giving up, I made a promise to myself: If they won’t fight for people like me, then I will.
That mindset led to the birth of FlakeDemic Cares, and eventually, a meaningful partnership with Terraza Del Mar, a rooftop bar and restaurant located in the hotel zone of Cancun, Mexico, right in the heart of a major tourist hotspot. This wasn’t just a business connection—this was purpose meeting opportunity.
The owner of Terraza Del Mar didn’t just offer me space—he offered support. Through this collaboration, I now have the ability to host nonprofit events, elevate awareness, and create healing spaces for those who’ve been overlooked by the system. This partnership reignited my drive and gave my mission global momentum. They saw the vision. They believed in it. And now we’re building something that could change lives.
Big thanks to Terraza Del Mar for taking a chance on me—and for helping turn pain into purpose.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies the industry tells itself is that workers’ comp exists to protect the worker.
Truth is, it protects the company — and everyone involved gets a cut except the person who actually got hurt. They’ll say they care, but their actions say otherwise. They’ll promise support, then ghost you the moment you’re no longer profitable.
Another lie? That injured workers “bounce back” quickly or are just milking the system.
Nah — most of us would give anything to go back to how life used to be. But we’re forced to fight for basic care, while doctors, case managers, and companies play games with our recovery to save money.
The system pretends it’s about healing, but what it’s really about is closing cases fast and cheap. They’ll say “we’re here to help,” but I’ve seen the truth — and it’s ugly.
I lived that lie.
In 2022, I had my first hip replacement — done through workers comp. It failed. And instead of investigating further or standing by my side, they released me. Ignored my pain. Disregarded my physical therapist’s warnings. Told me there was nothing more they could do.
I had to use my own private insurance in 2025 to finally get a second hip replacement — that I am currently still recovering from. That’s not support. That’s abandonment.
And I have the x-rays to prove it. This is real. This is what we’re up against!
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What light inside you have you been dimming?
The light I’ve been dimming is the part of me that naturally shines when I’m helping others — when I’m speaking truth, uplifting people, and creating something bigger than myself. That light used to burn bright, but after my injury and the way the system treated me, I started to doubt that it mattered. I felt silenced, broken, and like I was screaming into a void no one cared about.
But that light never died. I just buried it for a while, thinking the world didn’t deserve it. Now, I realize that light — my voice, my story, my ability to inspire and build — is exactly what people need. And I’m done dimming it to make others comfortable. I’m letting it blaze.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.flakedemiccares.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flakedemic_cares
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1N6V4UAE61/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: @FlakeDemic
- Other: TikTok : flakedemic.cares
