We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jaylin Leslie a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jaylin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I was working at the front desk of the city’s first luxury hotel. I had to wear a pencil skirt and heels each day. I remember my walks to work were so long. It would take me 30 minutes, and even though I enjoy walking, it was getting to be scary. I remember being on the phone with my dad one morning, it was dark, and I got off the phone with my dad and turned around and saw this man behind me. I remember seeing him a few blocks earlier, and I didn’t realize he was following me. During the winter, the sidewalks were icy, and one day I slipped on my way to work and busted my entire leg open. I remember not knowing what was next in my writing career. I remember my coworker cheering me on and telling me that I would be a famous writer someday, and at the time, you would think this would be encouraging, but it was daunting. I didn’t know what was next for me. I felt like I had tried a lot up at this point and failed at so many other things. I was so discouraged. I remember there was a holiday party that my job hosted. I remember the members who came in. They all looked so happy. I started asking questions about what they did and who they were. I had never seen anyone work a job, loving what they do in creative spaces that weren’t entrepreneurs.

I remember being too afraid to walk upstairs and talk to the executive. I started telling my coworker how I felt like I had missed my opportunity.

A few days later, I researched their company. I saw that they had an internship for a writer. I wasn’t in college at the time and didn’t have a portfolio. I felt disqualified. I was always intimidated in these spaces because of the lengthy requirements for their positions. I tried to reenroll in school, but I didn’t have the money, and I didn’t make enough money to save even if I wanted to. I also didn’t have any previous work experience as a copywriter. I felt disqualified, but I decided to take the risk and apply anyway.

A few months later, I got fired from my job. My boss came in with a bad attitude, and I decided to set a boundary. Shoutout to my therapist, but I guess that wasn’t the time or the place. I started working part-time for temp agencies, just hustlin’, until one day, I got an email that the company wanted me for the summer.

It all started with curiosity and courage. I met with the VP, and she told me I had a bright future ahead of me, and it never would’ve happened if I had never taken the risk. I finished the internship this year and gained new connections. For the first time, I felt acknowledged as a writer by professional writers.

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 background and context?

For those who do not know me, my name is Jaylin Leslie. I am a lover of art, but writing is my thing. To me, writing is the purest form of expression. Words are sweet like honey and powerful.

I am a mentor. It has always been a passion of mine. I remember writing on paper that I wanted to inspire young girls. I never knew in which medium it would be. Leadership comes naturally to me, and I enjoy helping others. I mentor young girls at my nonprofit, Gifts of Haven. I aid in their personal development. Growing up, I wish I had a big sister. I remember being frustrated growing up, not having a role model or anyone to turn to for guidance. I was created for the sole purpose of holding the light for those who will come after me, to go where some have not been, and to further the journies of ones who opened the doors for women like me.

I am studying to become a journalist and will write some of your favorite movies one day, haha. My experiences will always set me apart. I am a strong advocate for authenticity.

I’m most proud of my strength and determination. I’ll be 25 this year, and reflecting on my journey, I’ve done everything I said I would. I am proud to be a woman of integrity and reliability. I come from a family lineage of writers, entrepreneurs, and artists. I am grateful for who I am becoming. I like her.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on NFTs. (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

I love NFTs. I think they are the coolest. The work is dope, and I look forward to entering the space and creating unique art. For the first time, artist are able to create and sell their art and its seamless.

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

I remember my first time in NYC. I was writing on a blog at the time. I printed 90 flyers and posted them all in SoHo and the subway station in Manhattan. I remember meeting my friend for coffee the next day. He modeled for Gucci and told me I had no way of attracting anyone with my flyers. I had purchased a poster a few months earlier. I had to go on google and find image templates to create the image I had in my mind. I didn’t have the money at the time for a graphic designer. I had to color it myself. Looking back, it was pretty trashy. The flyers would say things like, “got anxiety?” or “are you a dreamer?” In hindsight, it’s hilarious, but I was determined. I checked my stats on the flight home. I had 55 views.

I stopped writing on the blog, but I never stopped writing. I landed an internship with no qualifications, only that I had written a book. I didn’t have the money to reenroll in college, but I kept believing. I kept praying and asking that God would do it for me. When I first dropped out, I hit the blocks. The first year was fun, but life got real. I endured some trying times, but I never quit writing.

I remember working as a server and working events serving tables in rooms with community leaders and my University’s president. I remember affirming, okay God. I heard you, ima keep believing, keep praying, and moving.
Before I started my nonprofit, I was going to the local high schools trying to recruit girls. I had no clue what I was doing, but I was passionate. I believed that I would be the game changer. I also couldn’t find a space, but I kept calling around. I did Facebooks lives, and no one ever showed up. The first few weeks of our program, I had no girls, but, I found the most beautiful space. It felt divine. I wanted to give up, I called my sister one day, and she said, you always start to question when it gets hard, and she encouraged me to keep going. I ended up getting three girls, and God sent mentors and collaborators.

I believe that because of my faithfulness God has opened doors for me. There were many times in my life when I began to doubt. I always felt like being a writer in my city wasn’t enough. I always felt like there was a lack of appreciation for writers generally.

My University later made a rare exception for me. I remember calling advisors trying to get my ducks in a row, and everyone was in disbelief. It was God, and it was miraculous. I was so grateful because I knew it was really for me. One of the things that I tell my kids (my girls) LOL; is that you have to take some time to find yourself. I’ll be 25 this year, and because of my resilience, faith, and relationship with myself, my vision has never been clearer.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/jaylinleslie
• Instagram: jaylinleslie
• Twitter: booksngoodlooks
• Other: visit my nonprofit profile on instagram: giftsofhaven