We’re looking forward to introducing you to Jai’Lyn Lover. Check out our conversation below.
Jai’Lyn, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
What I’m most proud of building—though it’s not always visible to others—is myself. Over the past season, I’ve been intentional about pouring into my own growth, healing, and development. I’ve realized that in order to lead well, inspire others, and create impact, I first have to invest in who I am at my core. My business is built on helping others fall in love with themselves, but I’ve learned that I can only do that authentically if I first model it in my own life. Strengthening my confidence, discipline, and sense of purpose has been the quiet, behind-the-scenes work that fuels everything else I do. It’s not something most people see, but it’s the foundation that allows me to lead with clarity, serve with compassion, and help others recognize their own worth.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Jai’Lyn Lover, a native of Montgomery, Alabama, and now a proud resident of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. I wear a few different hats, but at the heart of everything I do is a passion for building people up, creating spaces of belonging, and capturing the beauty in others.
I’m the founder of Unfiltered, a platform and movement designed to uplift underserved voices, create opportunities for authentic storytelling, and celebrate the resilience of those often overlooked. One of my proudest projects through Unfiltered is the annual Hidden Figures Freedom Fest, a Juneteenth celebration that provides a vendor-style experience for the homeless community at no cost, reminding them that they too deserve to be seen, valued, and celebrated.
In addition, I run my own photography business, where I specialize in capturing moments that allow people to see themselves in new, empowering ways. My lens isn’t just about the picture—it’s about telling a story, helping people fall in love with themselves, and leaving behind memories that last.
Outside of entrepreneurship, I serve as the Assistant Director of Behavioral Intervention and Professional Development t at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU). I’m also deeply involved in sports, currently coaching boys basketball and soccer at Atkins High School, which allows me to mentor young people, teach life lessons through the game, and continue my love for athletics.
Most recently, I’ve returned to school myself, pursuing an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership at UNC Chapel Hill, where I’m growing as both a leader and scholar.
What makes my story unique is that everything I do—whether it’s through Unfiltered, photography, higher education, or coaching—comes back to service, empowerment, and love. I believe in leading from the front, doing the work no matter the title, and creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and inspired to grow.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
The people who taught me the most about work are my parents. My mom, a social worker, showed me the importance of compassion, service, and truly seeing people where they are. From her, I learned that work is not just about a paycheck—it’s about purpose, impact, and making someone’s life a little better because you showed up.
My dad, who worked in television and also as a handyman, gave me a different but equally valuable perspective. From him, I learned creativity, resourcefulness, and the grit to figure things out even when the path isn’t clear. He modeled for me what it looks like to work with your hands, problem-solve on the spot, and take pride in doing a job well, no matter how big or small.
Together, their lessons shaped the way I approach my own work today. I carry my mom’s heart for people and my dad’s resilience and adaptability into everything I do—whether it’s running my business, coaching, or serving students in housing. They taught me that work is about integrity, service, and leaving something better than how you found it.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be this: “You don’t have to have it all figured out right now.” For so long, I put pressure on myself to know the answers, to have a plan, and to make all the “right” moves. Looking back, I realize that the beauty of growth is in the process, not the perfection.
I would remind my younger self that it’s okay to stumble, to change directions, and to start over. Every experience—the wins and the losses—would one day add up to a bigger picture of purpose. I’d tell her to trust herself more, to believe in her gifts even when others didn’t see them yet, and to give herself the same grace she gave to everyone else.
Most of all, I’d tell her that she is already enough. She doesn’t have to earn her worth—it’s already there. The journey will shape her, but her value never changes. And one day, she’ll look back and realize that every challenge, every detour, and every lesson was preparing her to lead, to serve, and to inspire others just by being authentically herself.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
When I think about who I admire most for their character, not their power, my grandmothers immediately come to mind. Neither of them led with titles, positions, or influence in the traditional sense, but the strength of their character spoke louder than anything else could.
From them, I saw what it meant to lead with grace, humility, and resilience. They carried wisdom that wasn’t always written down in books but lived out in how they treated people—with kindness, patience, and unconditional love. They modeled the value of hard work, of standing tall in the face of challenges, and of staying rooted in faith and family no matter what life brought their way.
What I admire most is that they didn’t need power to make an impact—their presence, their words, and their quiet strength shaped generations. Their legacy is one of character, and it continues to guide me in how I show up in my own life and work today.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes—I believe in giving my best, even if no one ever praised me for it. For me, it’s about legacy. Praise and recognition are temporary, but the impact you leave behind lasts far longer than applause. I’ve come to understand that the true measure of my work isn’t always in who notices, but in who benefits—even quietly—from the seeds I’ve sown.
Giving my best is an act of integrity. It means showing up fully whether or not there’s a spotlight, because the work itself matters. It means putting love, effort, and intention into everything I do—coaching, housing, photography, Unfiltered—because those moments ripple out into people’s lives in ways I may never see.
Legacy is built in the unseen: the student who feels supported, the young person who finds hope, the individual who sees themselves differently through a photo, or the person who feels dignity through an event like Hidden Figures Freedom Fest. Even if they never say “thank you,” I know my effort becomes part of their story.
So yes, I would give everything my best, because my goal isn’t praise—it’s impact. And if my legacy is that I poured into people, uplifted them, and left spaces better than I found them, then that is more valuable than any recognition could ever be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://unfilteredphotography.mypixieset.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAafyDy5rMQh0NYyaYw19hMlIEDyED8IgrP4VkgXq70S6nofJvOTQdEyOwUyesA_aem_VKGU6gdB9aesFvG0Z71ADA
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unfiltered.photography.llc/?hl=en
- Twitter: https://sites.google.com/view/hiddenfiguresfreedomfest?fbclid=IwY2xjawNI0HxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFXelBydWtTUTZKc0tsVkt5AR7y4hOkgMI78opNl_-ylG9d6VE8Psiw0rADHi75_-9XPLuXmp6DKSPVTMvzcQ_aem_Q7MnIMLVS9P4xZiETozdBA
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JaiUnfiltered/
Image Credits
Jai’Lyn Lover | Unfiltered Photography LLC
