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📍 nyc by @j.a.ylenn

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a month ago

🎬 Act IV of IV: “COMEBACK”
The final act of a story that refused to end 🎞️,

Four years ago, I opened an email that told me no. And if I’m honest, it wasn’t my first no. Throughout undergrad, rejection became familiar. I had to learn how to sit with it, how to let it humble me without letting it harden me. I learned how to hear no without shrinking my value, and how to keep going anyway.

At the time, I was already committed to Florida A&M University, but what I didn’t know was how much that decision would shape me. FAMU became the foundation of who I am today, my confidence, my resilience, my leadership. In every lifetime, I would choose FAMU 1,887 times over.

And now, the story comes full circle.

This fall, I will be attending THEE Florida State University, the very place that told me no four years ago, to pursue a Master of Science and Education Specialist degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, one step closer to becoming a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. From being the first grandchild on both sides of my family to graduate college to now stepping into a field where Black men are underrepresented, I am becoming part of the change.

Tallahassee, the story isn’t over yet, but my FAMU journey has reached its closing scene.

Jaylen Zacchaeus Mitchell
B.S. in Psychology, Magna Cum Laude
M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling 🔜
#famu #famu26 #famugrad #hbcugrad #gonoles taken in Florida A&M University by @j.a.ylenn

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3 months ago

🎬 Act III of IV: “FLAWLEΣΣ”
To the HARDest Fraternity in the land,
The “HARD” Alpha Eta Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. made my college days speed on its way. This brotherhood gave me patience, challenged me, and gave me a brotherhood I always dreamed of having as a little boy. Through “Best performance of duty,” “Talent expression,” and “The dignity of simplicity,” I embodied “perseverance” in moments when I was low, whether because of life or even Sigma itself. I learned that even when my head is bloody, I shall remain unbowed because I am the captain of my soul. Thank you to my Pros for choosing me to be a part of this wondrous band.

To my LBs,
The last two years have been a roller coaster. We came into this organization naive, with no choice but to make something out of nothing. Being TWO-year neos made it three times harder. Through every lemon squeeze, every lab session making strolls, every time I yelled “PERFORMMM,” and every laugh we shared, we made memories that’ll last a lifetime. Our brotherhood came with flaws, but those flaws pushed us to grow even when it was uncomfortable, and that discomfort shaped us into better men. 18 in, 18 out — forever the HARDest. #18EBMUTFWB

To my neos,
I wasn’t directly over y’all, but I still had plenty of opportunities to pour into you all. I watched y’all from where you started, and seeing where you are now the growth is CRAZY. In many ways, y’all became like my immediate nephews. Keep being HARD, keep elevating the Σtandard, and RUN the yard the way I know y’all will. I’m always rooting for ΣHBE, and y’all will always have an uncle in me. “YUP, YEAH!”.

To Jermaine, I always knew whoever came next in the 12th spot would be the right fit. I needed you, and the Lord placed you as my ism. I’m already so proud of you. Continue upholding the legacy. #LL12. To Gavin, my mentee and best friend turned frat brother, not by blood but truly my little brother, I’m proud of the man you’re becoming and everything ahead of you. Through every up and down, I got you forever.

Sigma is forever written over my heart.
FLAWLEΣΣ/B.I.O. HazARD 🤘🏾💙🥾
12AH24
Fraternally signing out…
#AHNoneGreater #IYHIDM #phibetasigma taken in The Alpha Eta Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. (FAMU) by @j.a.ylenn

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3 months ago

🎬 Act II of IV: “CROWN”
To be an owl,
Thee Melodic Stepping Experience, Inc. was more than stepping, MSE taught me everything. COURAGE in hard moments, WISDOM in every decision, INTEGRITY in how I carry myself, CLASS in how I move. What the audience saw as performances was my reality, battles few could bear, but I handled with PRECISION. Through it all I PERSISTED. I led before I was understood, even when it meant standing alone. In chaos I found PATIENCE, my CROWN never slipped. Through my reign as Mr. MSE, my time as president, and my parentship, my presence in the org became impossible to overlook.

To Andy and Phoenix, thank you for seeing potential in me before I saw it in myself. Andy once said, “The work begins now,” and my sibs and I did exaclty that. I’ll always be proud of the legacy behind my lineage. To Psi Klass, we were the rebirth, and our impact on MSE will always be stamped in the saga. To the S.O.R.C.E.R.E.R.S., what started as a random mix became a bond that carried me through one of the hardest seasons of my life. Y’all pushed me when I thought I had nothing left to give. To my D.I.S.A.S.T.E.R.S., raising y’all was one of my toughest yet most rewarding roles in the org. I tested your STAMINA mentally and physically, and y’all tested mine right back. Watching the steppers y’all are becoming made it all worth it. Stay humble and dominate. #THEYOUTHSVISIONS. To all the owls old and new, thank you all for being my first faMSE in college.

To my KLefs, the people’s letter, y’all mean everything to me. Tavis, my big brother, thank you for shaping my understanding of what a Psi is and watching me grow up. I hope I made you especially proud.

To Madame L. Baxter, we came into this org together and left together. Through all these years, we’ve always had each other’s backs. Through both our ups and downs, we loved each other through it. You taught me how to be selfless, how to love harder, and what genuine friendship really looks like. I’m forever grateful this org brought us this close. Who is Squishy without his Leshawna?

Heavy remains the head.
Yours T.R.U.E.ly,
Sir Squishy Squibbles, PSI of PSI KLass, THEE CROWN 🤴🏿
Melodically signing out… taken in The Kingdom by @j.a.ylenn

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3 months ago

🎬 Act I of IV: “ RATTLER”
Lights. Camera. ACTION 📸

In T-minus 5 days, the cameras capture my final bow at FAMU.

For now, let the show begin.

#famu #famu26 #famugrad #hbcugrad taken in Florida A&M University by @j.a.ylenn

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3 months ago

being HARD for two years mAHde me the PROtotype

- Big Brother ΣTEPMAΣTER 🥾💙

#AHNONGREATER #IYHIDM #LLEBM #LL12 by @j.a.ylenn

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4 months ago

january’s finest

#22 #aquariusszn♒️ by @j.a.ylenn

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6 months ago

last ride

#fdoc #famu26 by @j.a.ylenn

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a year ago

This is 21. taken in Tallahassee, Florida by @j.a.ylenn

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a year ago

all eyes on me taken in Jacksonville, Florida by @j.a.ylenn

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2 years ago

in my element by @j.a.ylenn

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2 years ago