We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jaye Nicole Turner a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jaye Nicole, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about serving the underserved.

I have always been someone who would advocate and stand up for those who couldn’t use their voice and I’ve been this way since a child. I stood up to the bullies and so-called friends, so it’s no surprise that I have a nonprofit committed to serving those who are often times neglected, overlooked or misunderstood , this is my passion and purpose.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hello, I am Jaye Nicole Turner, a student at Franklin University, an advocate of my experience and a mentor for both single mothers and those who have experienced the system of child welfare, I am also the Founder and President of EL’LESUN.

I began EL’LESUN back in 2019 after several failed attempts of wanting to either give back or serve those with lived experience in foster care. I knew nothing about business or how to operate a nonprofit and I didn’t think that I would have supporters but I stepped out on faith. We have been operating for about 4 years. EL’LESUN is a foundation that is committed to serving those affected by the child welfare system, through advocacy in sharing every story, raising awareness of their needs, and serving through our small intimate programs. Our goal is to collaborate with other community partners, individuals, and experts to help create greater opportunities and a brighter future for those of the community. A few services that we provide are PROJECT PASSION-

PROJECT P.A.S.S.I.O.N is created to EMPOWER and EQUIP youth and young adults towards OPPORTUNITY and provide a life coach, services for success, and NO-COST professional attire as they prepare for higher education or their field of work.

WE GROW TOGETHER-

Our “We Grow Together” program is a one-year mentorship where we educate, equip, and empower our youth and young adults to cultivate a lifestyle of success.

CONVERSATIONS AROUND THE TABLE-

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 is an intentional space created to bridge the gap between those whose lives have been impacted by the child welfare system and with lived experience in foster care kinship care and adoption. ⁣⁣

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Just like many other business owners or businesses, there are seasons where we have to be resilient. I remember starting EL’LESUN in February 2019 literally a year before Covid. We were moving at a pace that was amazing. I had goals and we were achieving them. Once the pandemic happened and everything shut down I began to fear what would happen to EL’LESUN and everything that we were working towards. I was able to take a year and a half to focus on building a strong foundation and welcome a new team but it’s been a journey. We’ve had a lot of ups we’ve had a lot of downs I’ve also made many mistakes, but I kept going, and I am still going. Many times when we step into the unknown of entrepreneurship we don’t wait it out when things are going slow, we sometimes give up after six months or a year but we have to give it a chance just like anything else we do in life we have to give it a chance, especially if it’s something we are called to do and this is some thing that I am called to do. I have wanted to give up so many times, but I knew that I couldn’t and that’s what kept me going. That’s what kept me strong.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

It’s time that I had to pivot in life was in 2019 I spent years at dead-end jobs not knowing who I was or my worth. I didn’t know MYSLEF, I was not a great friend. I just wasn’t my best self, but I knew God was calling me higher and in order to accept and submit to His will for my life I had to get in alignment with who He says that I am. I was done doing things my way and I was done trusting my own knowledge and direction. Which led me to the life I have now walking in my purpose.

Contact Info:

• Website: ellesun.org

Image Credits
Lisa Dickson Imari Mitchell