Jessica Abo is an award-winning television journalist, entrepreneur, social activist, YouTube creator and motivational speaker.
TV News
In 2007, Jessica joined the NY1 News team as an on-air anchor and reporter in the Local Edition. She has covered everything from breaking news and beauty trends to sports and food. Come Fashion Week, you will find Jessica inside the tents bringing viewers the scoop on what is on the runway. Her work has been featured on CNN, CBS, FOX and Fusion Network.
Jessica is a member of the Screen Actors Guild. She has been cast as herself in TV shows and movies including: Gossip Girl, Nurse Jackie, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Delivery Man, and Girl Most Likely.
JaboTV
When she is not covering the news, Jabo as she is known, is busy running her media startup and YouTube channel, JaboTV. Jessica launched her channel to empower kids, teenagers and college students. In her “Open Up Wednesday” segment, she asks celebrity guests how they turned an OUW™ moment (pronounced: oww!) into a POUWER™ story. Jessica hopes these stories help her followers triumph through their own personal challenges. In her other videos, she fields questions from fans all over the world. Jessica’s videos are designed to inspire today’s millennials to become changemakers wherever they live.
Jessica’s channel was recently featured in Forbes. She was invited to the United Nations to talk about how her work is giving a voice to today’s international youth. If you read Entrepreneur Magazine, keep an eye out for Jessica’s videos on Entrepreneur.com. In addition to hosting weekly videos, Jessica also runs an Ambassador program to help teens around the world be social change agents. To learn more visit www.jabotv.com and subscribe by clicking here.
Jessica’s company also produces branded content for companies and nonprofits. To learn more about her production services email jabotvteam@gmail.com.
Philanthropy
Jessica’s philanthropic efforts began at age 16. Since then, she has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for a variety of global causes by running marathons, coordinating drives and organizing charity events. Her most recent event supported the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation. To date, Jessica’s “Marrow Match Gala” has made more than a dozen matches and facilitated three transplants.
Jessica has won several awards for her journalism and philanthropy work. She is one of the youngest people in the country to be named a regional finalist for the White House Fellows Program, the nation’s most prestigious program for leadership and commitment to public service. Jessica was named to The Jewish Week’s 2014 “36 Under 36” list and has represented the United States, twice, at the ROI International Summit in Jerusalem, which brings together young social entrepreneurs, philanthropists, educators and innovators. In 2010 she received the “Dedication to Jewish Life Award” from Jewish International Connection New York (JICNY).
After spending years volunteering for non-profits, coaching executives looking for a career change, and, helping singles find their soul mate, Jessica founded Match4Good, Inc. Her boutique-consulting firm coordinates networking events for singles with a social and philanthropic twist.
Speaking Tour
Jessica lectures around the country on a variety of journalism and philanthropy related topics. She spent 2014 traveling across America speaking to teenagers as United Synagogue Youth’s first-ever Danny Siegel Changemaker in Residence. This fall, Jessica is kicking off her college campus speaking tour with CAMPUSPEAK. Jessica’s keynotes will cover why affluence is not a requirement for influence and help students find their POUWER™. She is part of JNF’s Speakers Bureau and speaks around the country to UJA and Federation groups. Jessica chairs UJA Federation’s Young Entertainment Committee, sits on the Broadcast, Cable and Film Committee and always looks forward to attending the Professional Women’s Philanthropy events.
The granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, Jessica produced and hosted a documentary on the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Her film, Passing the Torch, debuted in New York City.
Education
Jessica received her bachelor and master degrees from Northwestern University‘s Medill School of Journalism. She also completed an intensive-course in Social Entrepreneurship at Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
Stay Tuned!
In her free time, Jessica loves spending time with her family and friends, going to SoulCycle classes and Barry’s Boot Camp, seeing Broadway shows, and rooting for the NY Giants.
Stay tuned for Jessica’s first book, coming out in 2016!