Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jaylin White. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Jaylin, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
Often times I occupy spaces where I am the only black and queer person. Instead of allowing that to hinder me from being my full self, I treat it as a superpower that allows me to share an experience and point of view that adds value to everything I am a part of because it is uniquely mine, and greatly differs from what is already being edified. Being the only one in the room like me grants me a generous opportunity to shine.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a standup comedian based in the Pasadena, Ca area. I’ve been performing since 2017, from The World Famous Comedy Store, House of Blues, Laugh Factory, to the Ice House just to name a few. I’ve had many ups and downs but I’m still grinding. My comedy style from day one has been loud, live, in color, and above all smart. When I hit that stage, my intention is to not only make an audience laugh, but to lend a sense of catharsis. I want people to be challenged in the way they see the world but also feel seen, and walk away more hopeful than how they showed up to that show. I am committed to helping people heal through my art. 2024 is going to be all about collaborating, putting out things that move my spirit, and also expanding my outreach.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Loving myself, healing from past trauma, and developing a true sense of self has been three areas of my journey that I had to make a deep investment in to grow not only as a person but as an artist. I recommend to everyone to go to therapy, talk to someone professional to learn how to process things as they happen, and all that has happened in their lives. Also find things that spark joy, that you love to do. Lastly, surround yourself with people who share common intentions to evolve as individuals because they will be your strongest support system.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
The Gift of Imperfection by Brene Brown has been incredibly impactful to my journey of healing and taking ownership of who I am. First of all, Brene Brown is a goddess! In this book, I learned about the strength of vulnerability, radical acceptance, self forgiveness, and compassion. All these concepts have helped shape the way I handle myself when navigating guilt, regret, and even shame.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Jaylinwhitela
- Other: TikTok @jaylinwhitela
