Today we’d like to introduce you to Jayla Stallworth.
Hi Jayla, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My name is Jayla, also known as Jay Hey Hey on all platforms. I am originally from Chicago, IL, and moved to Nashville in 2021. I started creating content about Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) after I found The Association of Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Inflammatory Diseases (AHSID). I applied to be a brand ambassador with no social media background, and the amazing CEO, Jasmine Espy, had faith in me and allowed me to talk about our condition and humanize us past being patients. Since then, any opportunity I have to raise awareness on HS, cosplaying, or traveling with a disability,
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?
My life has changed drastically over the years. I grew up in the inner city, going to an elite high school while dealing with bullying. I knew once I graduated, it was time to leave Chicago, and I moved to Jacksonville, FL, igniting my interest in food blogging. I did not get into social media until I lost my mom in 2019 and started to look for an outlet through my Journey to Self series on TikTok, as well as my jayheyhey.com blog on grief, anime, travel, and everything in between. It wasn’t until I found the AHSID Be Seen Ambassador program that I thought to take social media seriously and speak out about Hidradenitis Suppurativa. In moving to Nashville, I started to finally gain a sense of what I can bring to the invisible illness community while staying positive about what I am capable of, while having HS.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am known for my lifestyle and HS advocacy content with AHSID. I recently co-produced, screenwrote, and starred in my first brand advertisement with Buoy and AHSID following a competition win. It was amazing to be in a room with the right technology and creatives to make the advertisement come to life with our real stories. What sets me apart is that social media is not my day job. Still, I am working to make advocacy my primary focus by going to school for Data Science and looking to build better after-school programs for youth to mitigate violence and mental health problems in our communities . I am proud of the work I have done to raise awareness for HS, and I am now adding gun-violence prevention to my mission.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My advice to someone just starting is to post, do it, and make the thing. It doesn’t have to be perfect now; consistency is the name of the game. People want to see everyday folks like themselves doing what they love or are passionate about. It makes us more connected and fosters a sense of belonging in an increasingly isolating world. There is someone out there who wants to hear what you have to say.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Jayheyhey.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayheyhey/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jayheysquared
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@jayheyhey.com?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
