Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaylen Christie.
Hi Jaylen, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been very blessed to be able to cultivate an efficacious career in public relations. Upon graduating with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Florida A&M University (FAMU), the economy tanked. Newspapers were laying off their employees, so I prayed about it and switched to PR. I landed my first job with The Salvation Army and worked for an amazing woman who had sent her son to FAMU, which means we had an instant connection during my interview. While working there, I learned a great deal and was entrusted with several large projects as related to communication and raising the profile of the organization. With God’s help, I was consistent in securing positive media coverage for The Salvation Army and was able to network with local reporters and news producers. I was later recruited by a local marketing agency to do PR for its clients, which led to me being snatched by another marketing agency…and then another…and then another. Like I said, I’ve been blessed. I go where peace of mind is. I chase happiness, growth and flexibility.
I’ve worked with brands including Sodexo, Massey Services, Chick-fil-A, FHSAA, Summit Broadband, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, and The Walt Disney Company. Although I’ve become branded as a public relations practitioner and have won several awards, which is nice, it’s certainly not the only thing I want to do. I’m very grateful, but garnering multiple revenue streams is my goal. To that end, I’m working on finishing my comic book which is set to be released this fall — God willing. “Stink Bomb Man and the Brain Kids” is an idea I’ve had since childhood. The first issue tells the story of two brilliant brown-skinned teenagers and a hapless alien working together to stop a mad scientist. The teenagers, while considered superheroes, have no powers. They rely on their smarts to keep the city safe. The alien provides the muscle. The comic book has elements of humor and campiness, and it embraces diversity, equity and inclusion to the fullest. Given everything going on in the world these days, writing and illustrating this comic book has been therapeutic for me. My desire is for it to be released and eventually spawn action figures, cartoons, Lego playlets and maybe even a ride at Universal Studios. Think big, right? Those looking to learn more about it, can visit jaylenchristie.com for more details.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Is anything ever smooth? That’s why I drink! Kidding…kind of. Listen, if someone tells you they’ve had a smooth journey, they are lying through their teeth. After graduating from FAMU, I took a chance in moving to a new city without a job lined up and only $2,000 to my name. I was unemployed for a bit and had become a master chef with ramen noodles. With my bank account dwindling, I was blessed to land a job as a PR practitioner at a small company, which, for all intents and purposes, kickstarted my career in the communications field. Once I became serious about my path, I decided to pursue a master’s degree in communication at the University of Central Florida. That was hard as hell and I even took a year and a half off during the process. I had to reapply to the program and then ended up delaying my graduation by a semester to prioritize my mental health. In the end, with the help of God, I was able to earn both my master’s and a graduate certificate in corporate communication. During the first portion of graduate school, I was stuck at a job I hated, in an environment where I was made to feel less-than. Often times I questioned my worth and I dealt with what felt like depression. Add to this the fact that I learned my coworkers were making considerably more money than me — despite nearly all of us having the same titles. In the end, I persevered and soared to higher levels. I’m not complaining, just explaining. Tribulations have a way of making us stronger.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Well, I’ve always had dreams of being a multi-hyphenate, so that’s what I’m working on. As a PR professional, I lead strategic communications planning and day-to-day execution of ongoing publicity initiatives that generate media coverage for different companies. Additionally, I work on several initiatives as related to diversity, equity and inclusion. I’m also very involved in the community with positions on local boards and in my fraternity. I think I’m known for being nerdy. I’ve seen every season of Power Rangers, I quote Star Wars frequently, I can name all 25 James Bond movies in order, and I’m a notorious bookworm. Conversely, I’ve often been called the life of the party. What I am, however, is tired. I’m always on the go, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Now that I’m in my mid-30s, I’d like to do more of the things I really want to do: travel more, give a TED talk, return to acting, and try my hand at stand-up comedy. The first goal is publishing my comic book though. I’d really like to be known as a comic book publisher and motivate others to go after what they want.
What matters most to you?
There are a lot of things that matter to me, but in an effort to stick with a single answer, I’m going to go with self-care. 2020 seemed to be all about corona and corruption and I believe a lot of people started prioritizing their mental health as a result. We’ve seen this in a number of different ways. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 4 million Americans quit their jobs in July 2021. I’d like to think some of that has to do with people prioritizing their happiness, peace of mind, and self-care. This year, I’ve made a concerted effort to walk regularly, detox from social media, practice saying no, spend time with loved ones, and create a gratitude list. Life’s too short. Pizza and mimosas for everybody!
Contact Info:
- Email: jaylen@jaylenchristie.com
- Website: http://jaylenchristie.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesuperflynerd/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/thesuperflynerd
Image Credits
Kyle Reese (main photo)
