We had the good fortune of connecting with Jalen Wilhite and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jalen, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I started to really launch my company at nineteen years old. I was a floor supervisor at Zara while also pursuing a double major degree in undergrad. When I decided to quit my full-time job to pursue managing my company, it was extremely risky. I knew that the decision would affect my my everyday life, but I always believed in the vision. Sometimes, you just have to trust your own instincts. If you have a vision, you must properly plan, invest, and EXECUTE. Without risks, I would have probably never launched my company. Without risks, how will you truly know that you can accomplish the goals you have set for yourself?

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

What sets JALENOGRAPHY apart from others is our versatility and networking opportunities. In the DMV, the opportunities for dancers are limited due to a lack of representation in agencies. Although we do not represent dancers, we provide them with training in a variety of styles including heels, ballet, hip hop, jazz, and more. Additionally, we hire dancers for paid opportunities throughout the east coast while also providing them with the knowledge that is essential to understand in the entertainment industry. We are essentially a production-entertainment company for dancers.

I started creating my first round of concept videos in June 2020. There were so many restrictions due to COVID-19, but I found ways to expand my creativity safely. My concept videos highlight Black women empowerment, mental health within minority individuals, the #AllBlackLivesMatter Campaign, and more political topics that I feel need to be discussed more socially. These concepts became an everyday part of my creative life. I eventually started to include other artists into these concepts, creating a more collaborative experience for my community.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to Downtown Baltimore. I really enjoy going to the shops and venues in the city. There are so many sights in town and also a variety of food spots! We would definitely have to go to the inner harbor. I went there when I first moved to Maryland, and I loved the scenery. You can see all the boats on the water with restaurants surrounding the perimeter. I normally would go to Pure Raw Juice for an acai bowl. There’s a park near the harbor where you can see the whole city. I highly recommend.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

I would like to shoutout my mentors Camal Pugh, Greg David, and A’Jay Lassiter. These individuals have always saw the light in me. They have always pushed me to expand on my style, my creativity. I see them as family and am very blessed to have them in my corner. Additionally, I would love to shoutout the JALENOGRAPHY Creative Team! Your services and support are greatly appreciated. Lastly, whether you have purchased merchandise, or came to a workshop, shared a flyer on social media, or have even participated in a concept video/performance, your support means the world to me.

Website: https://www.jalenography.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jalenography.co/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jalenography

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJV0FslT1o8m5u_f2co3AHQ

Image Credits
Cameron Laque, Humble Illusions, The Roman Creative Studios

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