Exploring Life & Business with Jabari (L.E.Y.L.O.) Crowder of Lovizionz Film Consulting LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jabari (L.E.Y.L.O.) Crowder.

Hi Jabari, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Absolutely. My journey into the film world wasn’t something I planned; it was something I survived my way into. I grew up loving cameras, storytelling, and the art of capturing real life. What pulled me into filmmaking was the realization that our stories — especially Black stories, street stories, cultural stories- were either being misrepresented or not being told at all. I wanted to change that narrative.

I started small, shooting music videos, short films, and documenting moments in my community. As my skills grew, so did my purpose. I created the Shoot Your Shot Film Festival, giving independent filmmakers a platform most of us never had. I built projects under Lovizionz Media and began helping other creators bring their visions to life. I was blessed to experience success, recognition, and momentum. It felt like everything was lining up, not only for me, but for the people around me.

But life has its own plot twists.

Not long after losing my mother on May 15, 2022, a moment that broke me in ways I didn’t expect- my world flipped. I became a victim of identity theft, and some of the people I trusted most took advantage of that vulnerable moment. Opportunities disappeared, finances collapsed, and loyalty didn’t look like loyalty anymore. The same people I would’ve helped without hesitation crossed me. I found myself homeless, not because I wasn’t working hard, but because everything I worked for was stripped from underneath me.

Yet, I’m still here.

Being knocked down didn’t kill my purpose; it clarified it.
I’m rebuilding, rebranding, and recreating with a sharper vision and a deeper mission. My story isn’t a tragedy, it’s a testimony. The comeback is always stronger than the setback, and I believe God doesn’t allow you to lose everything unless He plans to replace it with something greater.

Today, I’m focused on my return to film, expanding Lovizionz Media, empowering young people through arts and culture, and telling the real stories the world needs to hear. I’m standing stronger, wiser, humbled, and hungry, because my work is far from finished.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
A smooth road would make a boring story, and mine has been anything but smooth. The challenges I faced have shaped my perspective and the way I create. If the journey was easy, I do not believe I would have the same depth, compassion, or fire that I bring into my work today.

One of the greatest challenges was losing my mother. Her passing created a level of pain and silence that I never expected. Life hits differently when the person who always believed in you is no longer here to see you win. I was already grieving when another storm came.

I became a victim of identity theft, which caused major setbacks and confusion that affected every part of my life. What made the situation even harder was that some of the people I trusted, people who shared my bloodline, were involved in the betrayal. When you are fighting grief, financial loss, and abandonment all at once, it can feel like the ground has been pulled from beneath you.

That time in my life led to a period of homelessness. I was still working, still pitching ideas, still trying to create while trying to survive. Many people saw my strength, but they never saw the nights I prayed just to make it another day. There were moments when the only thing that kept me going was faith and the belief that God does not take you through darkness without preparing you for light.

The road has been painful, unpredictable, and filled with lessons that cost me. But those same struggles built resilience, wisdom, and a voice that comes from real lived experience. Every setback sparked a stronger comeback, and I would not trade the strength I gained along the way.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Lovizionz Film Consulting exists to bridge the gap between creativity and the business of filmmaking. Many filmmakers and content creators have incredible ideas, but often lack knowledge of the steps, strategy, and industry roadblocks involved in turning a vision into a finished, protected, and profitable product. My mission is to guide creators through that journey, from development to distribution, and help them avoid the mistakes that often cost time, money, and opportunities.

What sets my consulting company apart is that every piece of advice comes from lived experience. I have built projects from nothing. I have run film festivals. I have handled branding, production, marketing, and the parts of the process that most new filmmakers never see until it is too late. I learned through trial, reward, setback, and survival, and now I teach from a place that is not theory but testimony. My perspective combines the creative and the best sides, with a goal of empowering clients to take ownership and achieve long-term development.

In addition to consulting, I also created Lovizionz Media Centre, a media-based nonprofit focused on education and community storytelling, along with Lovizionz Media, which offers graphic design, websites, brand visuals, and promotional content. Together, these organizations create a full ecosystem where ideas are developed, produced, presented, and marketed with intentionality and impact.

Brand-wise, what I am most proud of is that Lovizionz represents resilience. It represents a second chance for people with big dreams and small resources. My goal is not just to help create content, but to help build confidence, careers, and platforms that last.

I want readers to know that whether you are an upcoming filmmaker, a business seeking visual branding, a nonprofit looking to tell your story, or someone who simply believes in empowering creative voices, Lovizionz Film Consulting is here to guide, advise, and help bring visions to life the right way from the start.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
My biggest advice when it comes to finding a mentor or networking is to stop looking for people just to take you to the next level and start looking for people who sharpen your mindset. A mentor is not just someone who is successful. A real mentor is someone whose values match the direction you want your life to go in. I learned that the hard way. Sometimes we chase connections based on status and ignore character, and that can cost you more than it helps.

Networking is not about passing out cards or following people for clout. What worked best for me was showing up with value. Instead of asking, “What can you do for me?” I started approaching people with, “How can I assist what you are building?” When you serve without hidden intentions, the right opportunities have a way of finding you. When you are genuine, people remember you.

Another lesson I learned is that every conversation is not meant to become a partnership, and every person who smiles is not a supporter. Protect your energy and your intellectual property. Put things in writing. Move with transparency but also with wisdom.

One of the most important things I would tell future filmmakers and entrepreneurs is this: your network grows when your character grows. People are attracted to consistency, resilience, and authenticity. Some of the most impactful relationships in my life came from moments where I simply showed up, listened, and treated people with respect, whether they were famous or not.

At the end of the day, the right mentor will not try to turn you into them. They will help you become the best version of you. And the right network is built on trust, not transaction.

Pricing:

• Film Consulting Sessions – Starting at $150/hour for personalized guidance on project development, contracts, distribution, and marketing strategies.
• Full Project Consulting Packages – Range from $1,500–$5,000, depending on the scope, including strategy, branding, and production planning.
• Graphic Design & Branding Services – Logos, flyers, websites, and promotional content start at $250 per project, customized based on complexity.
• Workshops & Educational Programs (Lovizionz Media Centre) – Group sessions and youth programs start at $50 per participant, with scholarships and sliding scale options available.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lovizionzmediacentre.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lfcatl/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573549744186
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@theleyloshow