The Where I Live series aims to showcase our diverse city and region by spotlighting its many vibrant neighborhoods. Each week a local resident invites us over and lets us in on what makes their neighborhood special. Have we been to your neighborhood yet? Get in touch to share your story. If your story is selected and published, you will receive a $250 stipend.
I was born and raised here on the South Side of San Antonio, where the neighborhood rooster wakes you up in the morning (no need for an alarm clock) and tacos are always within a five-minute walking distance. You can say it’s luxury living.
Growing up, I attended an after-school and summer program run by Joven, a nonprofit organization that aims to build healthy communities. The programs kept me busy with fun educational activities while also teaching me how to be a better person. I always looked forward to going.
I didn’t have the best confidence when I was younger (I was the kid covering his face during choir performances), but the leaders and volunteers at Joven helped me break out of my shell. The care they showed made me want to do the same for others.
As I got older, I started getting into sports. This is how I met my neighborhood friends. I was always outside shooting hoops, tossing the football around and risking my life on the trampoline Jeff Hardy-style. But my personal favorite was riding bikes around the neighborhood. Something about cruising on a bicycle with your homies feels so freeing. Fair warning, though, if you don’t usually ride your bike around here, you should know there are a few loose dogs that will chase you. Make sure you don’t choose the bike with the loose chain.
I’m proud to say I graduated from Harlandale High School, the best high school on the South Side. That’s where I met my best friends and learned from amazing teachers, coaches and staff — some of them being Coach Landry, Coach Menchaca, Mr. Garces, Mr. Lerma and Mrs. Kinnear. Each of them gave me important tools for life that I still use to this day.
It was Mrs. Kinnear who pulled me aside when I was goofing off during theater rehearsals one day and gave me the push I needed when I was struggling to find my character. She told me, “If you don’t take this seriously and get it right this next take, there are five people behind you ready to take this role.” I was so in character the next take I accidentally cursed, broke character to apologize, and the whole class applauded me for it. Hearing the crowd’s reaction after my first play, I knew I wanted to pursue acting. With the support of my amazing family and community, it’s been an amazing ride so far.
Since high school, I have shot a few short films here on the South Side with my longtime friend Drew Garces. El Sol Mexican Restaurant was gracious enough to let us use their space for our first short film free of charge. That’s one of the things I love about my community: we are all here for one another.
In 2021, I started my own company, J Rodd Videography. At the time, it was my mission to shed more light on the South Side and the students of the Harlandale Independent School District. I didn’t see that representation when I was growing up and wanted to change that. Walking into a sporting event and seeing these kids’ faces light up knowing they’re going to be on camera meant everything to me.
I am now head of media production for Harlandale Basketball Alumni Association, which raises money for scholarships. I am so blessed to be a part of such an amazing family that continues to grow and uplift one another. As the neighborhood grows, I’d like to see that spirit of support and empowerment stay strong and for the people who live here to continue to spread the love.
