Story & Lesson Highlights with Jalen Gunter of THE INTERNET

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Jalen Gunter. Check out our conversation below.

Jalen, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
This question stood out to me. I feel that I am currently graduating/moving into a new era of my life. Even though some things are out of my control, my aim is to have an intentionality about where my next steps will fall and lead me. Whether that’s putting myself in rooms to network, reaching out to a modeling agency, or even doing interviews like this. I had this simple but profound realization at some point or other that the life I want is not only obtainable, but it’s in my control. I control it with my actions, with my mindset, with the discipline i have, etc. I have such an influence over my life, but at the same time it’s been filled with such beauty and experience that I just couldn’t have fathomed. There’s definitely a duality to it but because of that duality, I’d say I’m wandering down my path. Im allowing myself to experience things I normally wouldn’t and being open to life and the world while also being intentional about where the path will go.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name, just like my brand, is Jalen T Gunter. I’m originally from Memphis, Tn (a true Southern man at heart) but I went to school in Washington, DC at the illustrious Howard University. (which sparked my love for the East coast). I was a Psych Major Business Minor and after graduating early in 2023 began a job at Urban Outfitters on their Marketing team as the Brand Marketing Coordinator. That’s all the official stuff. NOW…what Jalen LOVES TO DO is is a different question. Since around 2023, I have begun to explore my creativity in as many ways as possible. I got into film photography, walked my first fashion show, started creating content, writing poetry, styling clothes, and anything else that even remotely piqued that creative interest. The more time I spent with these things the more I began to see that at my core…I’m a creative. I love the art of creating. I love the way creativity not only connects people, but it also teaches people WHO they are. It gives them a facet to explore their own mind and their own unique qualities, and I just think that’s the most beautiful thing. Today, I can proudly say that I’m a published vogue model, a published vogue stylist, and a content creator with about 34.5K followers. Behind the success and the accolades I’ve received, I am simply Jalen which is why I was very intentional with my Insta name, Jalentgunter. I am not trying to be like anyone or mimic anyone just trying my best to be as authentic and honest with myself and the world as I can. My journey is in progress, and I’m so lucky/blessed to be able to bring others along with me.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I used to have this very significant dislike for my skin. I consistently got made fun of for being the darkest in the room. Whether from my family, friends, etc. it was a constant joke everyone besides me seemed to enjoy. After years and years of the same, I used to have this urge to AVOID getting darker at all costs. I didn’t want the jokes to become worse, more frequent, more ingrained into how people viewed me. So summer became my enemy in a sense. This insecurity slowly went away as I grew more into myself. It’s as if this well of self love sprouted during this time, and I began to embrace who I was and who I would be. However, Howard University really helped me embrace this to the fullest extent possible. A place that oozed Black excellence and honored those with skin just like mine. It became hard NOT to love the Melanin Mecca (no one calls it that except me). That insecurity eventually began to dissolve completely and was replaced with a pride in my skin but also a love for myself that has helped propel me forward in my endeavors.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I think due to the way I grew up I had a deep rooted mistrust in my abilities. So I guess a fear of doing something wrong? I was always told by a parental figure that I was doing something wrong or that I wasn’t doing something right. Even when I tried my best at it I’d still miss something. Now to give context, it’d be something as simple as cleaning the kitchen, but the reaction of this parental figure made me feel worthless. Like I took up space and provided no value. I didn’t know it at the time but this dangerous idea was planted into my subconscious. So much so that even to this day I struggle at times trusting myself. Trusting that I know what I’m doing even if I’ve never done it before. It’s definitely an uphill battle but slowly I’m starting to re-establish that trust with myself and with my mind. I look forward to the day that my ideas pour from my heart and soul in on overwhelming abundance. But until then…I’m just trying my best each day.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
I’m proud to say 100%.(maybe a bit too much sometimes). I actually remember the moment when I decided to just say F**k it. To just turn off that part of my brain that was beholden to the thoughts and opinions of others and re-focused my energy on being so much of myself that I ended up making a platform out of it. From the way I dress to the way I speak, I try my best to just let it flow unrestrained. It’s definitely allowed me to be comfortable enough to try new things and truly experiment in an uncomfortable space, and as we know…in discomfort is where true growth lies.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
In my life and with support from my studies at Howard, I have learned the ultimate truth. People are ruled by emotion. This means that most problems between individuals does not lie in the action itself but in how that action made someone FEEL. In addition to this, I’ve been taught that people may not remember your name, your face, or your words, but they will remember how that interaction made them feel. I try my best to make sure that when I’m interacting with others that I’m cognizant of my demeanor and my words as to make people feel safe. Feel like they can just BE with no judgement. For some reason most people completely skip over this idea when it comes to most situations. If we did as a people, we’d see that emotions are fluid and momentary. They don’t require all the energy we tend to give them. I imagine if we all adopted this school of thought solving many problems in this world would be simplified.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
@5gof5fingerposse
@alisaphillipsphoto
@sopclee
@iluvahk
@flintstonespencer
@katelyn.clix
@jojoosafoh
@chriss.pierre
@quaranahmad

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