Jessica N. Spencer

Jessica Spencer is a Stockton native, multidisciplinary artist, and founder of The Shared Light Collective. Her work spans performance, directing, producing, and community organizing, all grounded in the belief that the arts have the power to connect people, challenge perspectives, and strengthen communities.
 

Born and raised in Stockton, Jessica's artistic voice was shaped by her Southern roots, her upbringing as a pastor's kid, and the rich traditions of the Black church. Surrounded by gospel music, powerful storytelling, and a deep sense of service from an early age, she developed a lifelong appreciation for the ways art can inspire, heal, and bring people together. Those influences, combined with a love of musical theater, continue to shape the way she creates, leads, and serves.
 

Her work is rooted in the conviction that Stockton's arts community should reflect the people who call it home, celebrating Black and Brown voices, talents, and stories as an integral part of the city's creative identity. Through The Shared Light Collective, she is committed to making the arts more accessible, welcoming, and representative of the communities that have long been underrepresented in creative spaces.
 

Whether she's directing a production, producing new work, building community partnerships, or cheering from the audience, Jessica's mission remains the same: to cultivate an arts community where everyone has the opportunity to create, connect, and belong, ensuring that every generation has more doors to walk through than the one before it.