About

Well Outside is a concept that lies at the intersection of all of my interests, professional leanings and hopes for the future. Beyond the formal operation and company being created here, Well Outside is a lifestyle and hope for the future. The hope that everyone, everywhere is safe, well and joyful outside, in the landscape and outside of the boundaries we or others would place us in- professionally, socially, culturally or otherwise.

With training in landscape architecture and sustainability in the built environment and now practice in the areas of strategy, policy and planning, all centered on community outreach, engagement and vision, Well Outside aims to capitalize on all of that through my values and products. My studies into wellness through healing, plants, yoga and grounding practices have and continue to grow here in the response to the global Covid-19 pandemic. 

The name Well Outside came to me during a research collaboration with Melanie Concordia, an occupational therapist, around universal design and accessibility. I have since come to realize, through the current health pandemic, the continuing and ongoing systemic social injustices and my own volunteerism and activism that all of these things, take root outside. And what is universal about design that does not address all of these things? Outside in our parks and open spaces, outside of our comfort zones and outside of any limits is where the company plans to effect change through action and project based learning. We all deserve to be well wherever our outside is. As a modern Black woman in America, I can’t wait to see that dream come true. Well Outside is here to make this specific type of universal access, vitality and safety outside a reality for myself and for all current and future clients. 

Well Outside offers professional strategy, research and design consulting services. As a thought lab, our processes and offerings will evolve as needed.

The thought lab has capabilities in:

• research,writing and speaking

• urban, landscape and sustainable design

• consultation and critique

• advocacy, outreach and engagement strategy, framework and event design

• outdoor safety, wellness and advocacy strategy and planning

Jescelle Major CPRP, LEED Green Associate

Founder & Chief Strategist

Jescelle Major is an Associate at an interdisciplinary firm leading in community engagement and qualitative analysis. She holds degrees in Sustainability and the Built Environment from the University of Florida and Landscape Architecture from Louisiana State University. She is also a graduate of The Cushman School as well as Design and Architecture Senior High— each integral to her process and practice.

Her research and current professional design centers on urban scale change driven by environmentalism, historic fabric and social justice. Jescelle worked alongside teams within City of Miami Beach Parks and Recreation and the design firm Mithun. She’s a mayoral appointee on the Arts Commission and co-chairs the Public Art Advisory Committee. Jescelle is on the Board of Directors for Sawhorse Revolution.

Recently, by founding Well Outside, she pursues justice-based projects and collaborations. Well Outside considers crafts, making and experimenting under its creative arm MajorBloom.

OPEN RÉSUMÉ

Well Outside LLC is a Jescelle Major Company for everyone, everywhere.

Well Outside is not only a brand but a dedication to my family and the memory of Wesley and Jesselyn Brown and all of their endless pursuits for good in the world.