'Here I Stand'

From Homeless, Drug-Addicted Prostitute and Teenage Mother to Author, Award Winning Filmmaker & Professional Speaker

HERE I STAND is the extraordinary true story of Jillian Bullock, a young, African-American woman, who grows up during the 60’s and 70’s with her mother, Janet, and her white stepfather, Jake, a member of the Philadelphia Italian Mafia, who is also a film enthusiast. After his death, and when her mother kicks her out, Jillian becomes homeless at age 15. In order to survive the streets, she resorts to drugs, criminal activity and prostitution. However when she gets pregnant at 16, Jillian knows she must work to transform her life, not only for the sake of her unborn child, but to fulfill Jake’s dying wish for her to become a filmmaker and a screenwriter.

 

Jillian fights to get off the streets, kick drugs and complete high school. She defies the odds by getting an internship at the Wall Street Journal newspaper while she studies communications and film in college, and raises her young son.

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When I had my son at age 16...

...he was two months premature due to my drug use while I was homeless. And because of my past people, including society, and many family members, made it clear that I, and Clinton would be just another static. I would amount to nothing more than a black woman, uneducated and on welfare. Clinton, as a black boy, would not graduate from high school and probably end up dead or in prison before his 18th birthday due to drug use or gun violence.


As you can see that didn't happen. We both worked very hard over the years to achieve our goals and we're still on a mission, (we're both certified professional life coaches and speakers), to show the world that despite one's past anyone is worthy and capable of achieving greatness, success and happiness.

 JILLIAN’S INSPIRING TRUE STORY

Since Jillian Bullock was a little girl, she always believed her stepfather, Jake, was the greatest man in the world. He was handsome, strong, powerful, smart, and loved movies, which was their Sunday pastime. And despite the fact that she was African-American and he was white, she called Jake ‘daddy’ and he called Jillian ‘baby girl.’ 


However, Jake had another side since he was a member of the Philadelphia Italian mafia. During the 60’s and 70’s, he handled the Philly Mob Boss’ problems, which sometimes meant Jake had to be just like Tony Soprano, Henry Hill, Tony Montana, Frank Lucas, and James ‘Whitey’ Bulger. Like these iconic mafia figures, on many occasions Jake resorted to violence to get the job done. In fact, Jillian was nine years old when she witnessed her first mob hit as she watched Jake murder a man in an alley. 

Like other mafia movies that are based on true stories or inspired by events, e.g. American Gangster, Goodfellas, Black Mass, The Irishman, Jillian’s memoir, Here I Stand, is also based on a true story, and is being developed into a feature film. 

 

The script, which Jillian wrote and will be based on her book, highlights her close bond with Jake and their obsession with movies. In fact, it was Jake that made Jillian promise that one day she would become a filmmaker and he would see her name on the big screen. 

 

In Here I Stand, the protagonist isn't a wiseguy, but a teenage girl, who struggles to overcome rape, homelessness, prostitution, and drug addiction in order to fulfill a gangster’s dying wish.

What People Are Saying

HERE I STAND is an intimate, captivating saga which details both the intergenerational roots of violence and the determination of a bright, creative young girl as she navigates her journey to adulthood. It transcends the horrors of her past and ultimately she chooses to stand on the ground of love. It is raw. It is compelling. It offers hope to those who feel trapped in misery, and it teaches many important life lessons to the rest of us.

CATHERINE McCALL -- MS, LMFT, Author/Marriage and Family Therapist

HERE I STAND will leave anyone who takes in these pages and stories with hope, strength, courage, a sense of knowing everything will be alright, if you believe it will. Jillian’s story demonstrates the power of the human spirit and that old saying, “Whatever Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger,” is truly evident knowing the person Jillian is today!

CHRISTOPHER MANN -- Award winning Film and TV actor, Law & Order:SVU, HBO’s The Wire, Blue Bloods, Michael Clayton, Duplicity, What Death Leaves Behind, Loving

Jillian is a woman who knows no boundaries. Considering her upbringing and the horrific obstacles she has overcome in her life, she could have fallen through the cracks and decided life wasn’t worth living. Instead, she dug down deep and fought back to succeed against all odds. Today, Jillian is an inspiration to those who feel hopeless and who are living a life in despair. HERE I STAND will be a beacon of light to help millions of people transform their lives no matter what they may be going through and what their journey has been. Healing starts with us…share our stories with one another.

TERRIE M. WILLIAMS -- Author of Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We’re Not Hurting

I’ve worked with Jillian on a few projects; she is loyal, conscientious, and determined. She is also completely forthcoming about her past, and the journey she has taken. She is driven to succeed in spite of the events of her life, but I have never known her to be bitter about what she has gone through. She is more victor than survivor, vanquishing every obstacle set before her, while remaining true to her core beliefs. I’m looking forward to working with Jillian again when production begins on the film of HERE I STAND.

STEVEN GLADSTONE -- Award Winning Cinematographer and CEO of Gladstone Films in New York

Jillian has taken the events of her life and turned them into stories that read like fiction of the most dramatic order. She has grappled with homelessness, drug addiction, rape, teenage pregnancy, prostitution, domestic violence, and cancer. She reaches down deeply from this difficult past and creates characters who are complex, unusual, inspiring, and flawed. Despite her past, Jillian has been determined to follow her dream of becoming an accomplished screenwriter and filmmaker. Making a name in the film industry is a difficult proposition. It takes extreme dedication, smarts, resourcefulness, phenomenal people skills and luck. Maybe Jillian’s difficult past has built her resolve. Maybe she learned that, if you put your mind to it, anything is possible. Certainly everything has been possible in her life, and today Jillian is an award winning writer and filmmaker. I look forward to being a part of HERE I STAND when the book is released and when the film is produced in Philadelphia.

SHARON PINKENSON -- Executive Director of the Greater Philadelphia Film

MORE PRAISE FOR HERE I STAND

Sharon Lorenzo - I loved your book and I just think that you are one in a million wonderful lady who did it all, had it all, and you did it alone. God Bless you Jillian and you have every right to be so proud of all that you did.

 

Gondell Morris - So awesome and inspiring. Congratulations. Your story is going to help me and others even more.

 

Carla Johnson Green - Jillian Bullock, your story surely helps others. Thank you for being bold enough to share it.

 

Consuela Sanchez - Beautiful story to share how your unstoppable perseverance bought forth determination NEVER to give up.

 

Josephine Jackson - God bless you for sharing that amazing story of how you survived all those obstacles. You always kept the faith that you would conquer any goals.

Sandy Gilmore - Your story is so inspiring, I'm in complete awe.

 

Melody Fox - OMG! This (your story) just made me cry! So moving! I can totally relate; I never used drugs but I had to overcome challenges as a teen mom! Look at you!!! Look at God!!! Look at all the people you’re making a difference for with your creative offerings!!!

 

Larry D. Mapp Jr. - You are the rock that most of these young women today need. Someone positive to inspire and teach them what it means to move beyond their struggle to succeed. GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!!

 

Dr. Ray Charles – One of my favorite poems is Invictus– “Out of the night that covers me/ Black as the pit from pole to pole/ I thank whatever gods may be/ For my unconquerable soul…” Here I Stand is a portrayal of the essence of this poem.

 

As I read this book from cover to cover at 30,000 feet on my 5+ hour flight on December 24, 2012, I was thankful that the fasten seat belt sign was on, for Jillian took me for a ride … on some occasions smooth, on other occasions turbulent.

 

This book is a masterpiece on resilience, mental toughness, honor, etc. The power of Here I Stand is in the after effect as in the aftershock of an earthquake. No different than the power of a speech is in the impact it has on your audience months later. I promise you this book will have the same ripple effect. I hesitate in using the word “book” because Here I Stand is more than a book … it is life in it’s most real form.

 

Carl Irwin – I just finished reading your script, Here I Stand. All I have to say is WOW! You are an absolutely astounding woman. This is a very gripping story and if you can put it on the screen with the same intensity, you will have everyone crying in the aisle.

 

Amy Rae – Sometimes being a warrior means one has to summon her own strength, fashion her own tools, and continue to heighten her sense of awareness. It sounds like Jillian found the warrior inside herself and she continues to show others how to find the warriors inside themselves as well.

 

Alice Carleton – I would think a University is a perfect place to share your work; we have had Oprah and Presidents visit (Oakland University); you should be next!

 

Dress for Success Pittsburgh – Jillian, you rocked! We got so much great feedback about you as a person and a presenter. As it is said, “We will see how our experience can benefit others.” Thank you!

 

Betty Lee – Some people may say she’s a bit blunt and doesn’t pull punches, but there’s no denying that Jillian is a highly respected professional and an inspirational speaker, a woman of compassion, who fights for the underdog, the voiceless, and the powerless.

 

Steve Jones – Hi Jillian. Wow, what a powerful and inspiring profile. You have overcome such incredible challenges in your life. Kudos to you! All the best with your memoir.

 

Clorine Jackson – Hi Jillian, you are someone to look up to. I feel you are very motivated and successful. I wish you great things in the future.

 

Danielle P. Dobbs – Amazing life! You seem to be on top of the world now!

 

Micki Selvitella – Congratulations, Jillian! Your story is inspiring! Rock on!


Agnes Zenta – Thank you, Jillian. You are a true hero and a fantastic role model.

 

William Windsor – You are a true inspiration to everyone around the world who thinks that they are worthless as it is clear that you have been through some tough situations and gotten through them to be a successful business woman. I live in the UK, but I have so many things I’d love to talk to you about and would love to get the chance to hear your feedback and advice.

 

Linda Burns – Kudos to you, “Dr. Jill,” and please keep doing what you are doing to reach out and “affect” those who struggle … and those just looking for someone to connect with.

 

Bobbi Robinson – HERE I STAND Author, Jillian Bullock – wrote about the city which I am a native, which made her book even more relational. As I was so engrossed in Jillian’s story, I kept forgetting that this was the same person who sat and listened to my fairy tale life without judgment. This book is a perfect example of how life can knock you down but only you can pick yourself up! Thank You Jillian for sharing your story and reminding people that what one goes through is usually meant to save someone else.

 

Joan Bressler – HERE I STAND, by Jillian Bullock, is truly inspirational. I’ve heard Jillian’s brave story before, but this book caught me unaware and I was plunged into her journey once more. This book gives hope. I’m confident it will resonate with many readers. Brava!

 

Nat Katz – Jillian Bullock’s HERE I STAND is a very personal story about strength, abuse, dysfunctional families, abandonment, incredible suffering, resilience, survival, and achievement. Told in a straightforward style, the memoir is at times difficult to read because of its rawness, violence and descriptions of emotional and physical abuse and betrayal. In the end, however, the book is about one young woman’s drive to overcome the many obstacles thrown at her early in life, how she developed both emotional self-sufficiency and physical strength to overcome the likelihood of being sucked forever into a life of despair, alcohol, and drugs, and her use of those skills to survive and achieve. A moving story of courage in the face of tremendous adversity.

 

Skip Boden – HERE I STAND is an incredible and intriguing story from cover to cover. After reading the book and learning the details from that part of Jillian’s life, I found it amazing how she kept her determination to succeed. Even after all the emotional and physical pain and suffering she experienced, which can only be described as a journey to hell and back, she still came out on top. I admire her courage and tenacity in holding on to her dreams and following them to achieve success. It’s truly inspirational!

 

C. A. Webb “Conversations Book Club” – There’s something to be said about the power of believing in yourself. For Jillian Bullock she has been able to deal with horrible challenges in her life all to move forward and still succeed. Part of her journey is chronicled in her book HERE I STAND. It takes you through not only the lack of love and respect she was shown, but how she was able to make the most of difficult times and difficult decisions.

 

This is the kind of book that a young woman can read and see that struggles and bad choices don’t have to be the end of what is possible for them. It is also the kind of book that young men can read and say that regardless of what you have planned for me, I don’t have to accept that as the kind of life I can have for myself.

 

Jillian Bullock uses her experiences not as an excuse, but as motivation for others that can help them not only on their road but give them hope before they make a decision that could change their lives forever.

 

Renee D. Crews – Wow! HERE I STAND is a very inspiring book!! With all that Jillian went through it’s amazing how she beat the odds. Could hardly put the book down!! Can’t wait for the next one!!

 

Nikki Daniels – I love reading and have read tons and tons of books in several different genres. I can’t remember the last time I picked up a book and couldn’t put it down. Here I Stand kept me up for two nights because I was that intrigued and couldn’t wait to learn more. I am so inspired after reading this book and feel I can now conquer the world and do anything I put my mind to. Thank you Jillian Bullock for sharing your story.

 

OSC -This book is very inspiring. It should be required reading for troubled teens. She (Jillian) is a living example of overcoming immense adversities and succeeding in life.

 

Mina – Jillian is an amazing woman. She has been to hell and back. She has enforced what we all know and what to do when we need to do it…..fight…survive and believe in ourselves, so we can achieve the smallest accomplishments and to making our biggest dreams come true. Jillian shows us how being determined, strong and having faith will get us through the darkest times of our lives. God Bless you Jillian and thanks for sharing your story.

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