Conversations with Jenise Albritton

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Jenise Albritton.

Hi Jenise, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Originally born and raised in the small town of Kinston, NC, I’ve always had big-city dreams. I’ve always been involved with music, performing, and speaking in front of people since I was a kid. I still remember my standing ovation in first grade for singing a song called ‘Calamity Jane’. It was then that I knew I was made for something bigger and to continue performing in front of crowds via band, church, and events.

Fast forward, I moved to Atlanta in 2014 to pursue my dreams of acting and modeling. Through networking, hard work, and being open to meeting new people and recognizing opportunities, doors were opened and I also created my own doors.

I have been on runways and magazines, acting as paid background in major TV series, been in YouTube series, stage plays, hosting red carpets, shows, and more. Today, I am honing in on my craft as a speaker and endurance coach. My Motto: “It’s not a testimony if left untold. Changing Lives 1 testimony at a time” – Jen Lo

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In 2013, I was finally ready to try my luck at moving to Atlanta and came to visit for a week. I had an amazing week, met some new people, found some opportunities, and was excited about moving. Kinston, NC is about 7-8 hours from Atlanta. I left after midnight for the drive back home so I could get back to Atlanta in 2 days, however, I never made it back home.

On February 10th, 2013, I flipped my car in a ditch, going through the windshield. Broke both ankles and my hip. This birth my organization ‘Second Chance 21013’. It was not until I began to start trying to walk that the doctors told me they didn’t believe I’d be able to walk. They also told me that I probably wouldn’t be able to wear heels. Seeing as how 1 of my dreams was to be a model. I was determined I’d still become that model and actress I saw myself being.

I had a boot on my ankle and walking with a cane but I started going to casting calls, taking my wedges with me and putting them on right before time to walk. My first model call was at Sugar Loaf Mills mall of which I told 1 of the casting directors I’d just had a car accident not long ago and that was why I was waddling a bit and had scars on my face. She told me, if I hadn’t told her about my accident, I would’ve been fine if I hadn’t told her about my injuries. That no one had noticed anything off about my walk and the scars gave my face character. She couldn’t let me move forward because I was a liability. Told me not to lead with my issues because no one noticed but me. I took that advice and ran with it began booking modeling gigs and graduated from wedges to heels. No one ever said a thing about my walk except to perfect it of which I took model walk classes.

That no one had noticed and the scars gave my face character. She couldn’t let me move forward because I was a liability. Told me not to lead with my issues because no one noticed but me. I took that advice and ran with it began booking modeling gigs and graduated from wedges to heels. No one ever said a thing about my walk except to perfect it of which I took model walk classes.

Another struggle is the cost of living in Atlanta. I moved to Atlanta knowing the cost was high, but I had a dream. I was actually in my car when it first snowed in 2014. Sitting at the Quiktrip in Sandy Springs with a thick blanket and pillow until someone took me in to stay for a few days. I faced homelessness off and on from 2014 to 2021. I did have my own place in Atlanta for one year. Hopped from couches and floors.

Moved to Jacksonville, FL for two years where I had my own place but things changed and I ended up back in my car and went back to Atlanta in 2020. I continued to book runways, and magazines, became a co-author in my 1st book, booked speaking engagements, and hit billboards around Atlanta, all from the car and couches. I wouldn’t change anything except I would’ve believed more and pressed even harder to achieve more during those times.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My podcast ‘Real Talk With Jen – The Chain Breaker’, on Spotify is aimed to help those in the underground and upcoming be seen or ‘Be Scene’ I like to say. It’s an opportunity to expand to a new audience, connect, and network. My latest book is ‘She Owned Her Story’ is now available, of which I am a co-author via a partnership with Woman To Woman Network. This book is international and inspires women around the world. It can be acquired directly from me.

Most recently graduated from Lenoir Community College as a Natural Hair Care Specialist. I’ve been making custom wigs (J A’s Wigsations) for almost 20 years with the vision to help women who’ve had traumas and hair loss. I can now help men and women. I am also a health and wellness coach going on six years (Get Fit With Jen). I’ve managed to lose over 100 pounds and help others to better health, mentally, physically, and financially through my health and wellness business. My weight loss transformation is one thing many know me for as they’ve watched me transform.

What sets me apart is how I operate in faith. I’m a risk taker and just go for it. I find out what works and doesn’t work and then I share it with others I am most proud that I kept going so that my Dad (Terry E. Albritton), could see in person at least a little of what I do. In 2021, I hosted my first Women’s Empowerment event in my hometown, my first webinar, and produced my first journal. He was able to see everything I had gone out and fought for come together and produce something of value to help others before he passed in 2022.

What does success mean to you?
Being successful is when you’ve overcome yourself. It’s when you said you couldn’t do it, that you did it. It’s when the odds were stacked against you but you had faith God was with you and knew that He wouldn’t give you a vision you couldn’t achieve and you kept going. It’s when the dream becomes reality and it’s something you can hold in your hand, now you and the world can reap the harvest of the faithful seeds you’ve sewn.

Success is changing the trajectory for you and those you love and being in a better position to serve in a vision bigger than yourself. Changing lives 1 testimony at a time, starting with your own. Success is when I wanted to give up but giving up wasn’t an option, even when the reasons were valid. I’ve managed to not just wait for a seat at the table but create my own table that others can sit at.

What you do with your Dash between your birth date and death date, the legacy you leave is your success. The lives I’ve touched, and inspired, people you motivated, that is part of my success. As long as you’re adding value to the world and following God, you’ll always be successful.

You’ll always find someone to support your vision, even if it doesn’t exactly look like you want it to look at the time or it’s not going as fast as you want it to go. Each step of progress is a step towards success! Words of advice that will stay with me forever come from my late father who always encouraged me that I had to keep going! “Let God Lead you, He’s brought you this far”. – Terry E. Albritton

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jenloinspires.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenloassassin/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenLoAssassin
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenisealbritton/
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/buetja
• Other: https://linktr.ee/jenloinspires

Image Credits
David Price and MTD Photography