| Spring 2026 Grad Spotlight |
When Spring 2026 graduate Kaylin Jean‑Louis came to Florida A&M University just over three years ago, she began to excel immediately.
Her early impact as a journalism scholar garnered her the opportunity to be named an ESSENCE Magazine HBCU Spotlight Ambassador just one year after enrolling. She didn’t view the recognition simply as a title or a chance to cover FAMU for a national platform. Instead, she saw it as a way to fulfill her calling to lift up others’ experiences.
Since childhood, Jean‑Louis has used her voice and creativity as tools for service.
Raised in a family that believed deeply in giving back, she learned early that community involvement was not a stepping stone to her career — it was a responsibility.
“From a young age, my parents, especially my mom and grandmother, were really big on making sure that we knew the importance of giving back to our community,” she said. “From homeless shelters and giving away meals to volunteering through the church. I was surrounded by people who had a servant heart.”
Before becoming a teen, Jean‑Louis founded Kaylin’s Caring Konnection, a Tallahassee‑based nonprofit aimed at addressing community needs, from children to the elderly. Her continued impact as the nonprofit’s executive is underscored by being named on the “5 Young Women to Watch” list by the Tallahassee Democrat and as an Oasis Center “Girls Can Do Anything” honoree.
Kaylin’s Caring Konnection started as a way for Jean-Louis to help others, but all along it was helping her realize her passion for storytelling.
Her commitment to spreading awareness and giving voice to the needs of others soon expanded into media. Before even stepping into the halls of FAMU’s School of Journalism & Graphic Communication (FAMU SJGC), she launched “Inspiring Moments with Kaylin,” a Hallelujah 95.3 FM show, podcast, and YouTube channel focused on uplifting the community through information, motivation, faith, and wellness.
“I used to think I wanted to be a pediatrician because I wanted to help others” Jean‑Louis said. “But as I grew older, I realized I still wanted to help others — just in my own creative way. That’s what drew me to using my voice, and eventually journalism.”
That realization helped her develop her guiding life philosophy: “I don’t want to be famous. I want to make a difference.”
After earning her high school diploma from Florida State University Schools and her Associate of Arts degree from Tallahassee State College simultaneously in 2023, she chose FAMU SJGC, knowing that the training, community and resources it offered would help her stay true to her philosophy.
Today, she is known affectionately as “Miss J‑School,” as she’s emerged as both a student media leader and spokesperson, advocating for her peers, hosting activities and events, and helping ensure students have access to the resources and visibility they need to succeed — all while still volunteering across the Tallahassee community.
She was an active member of the school’s Living Learning Community; served as online editor for Journey Magazine; assistant program director and on‑air personality at WANM 90.5; producer for Word Around Campus; reporter/writer for FAMU TV‑20, SJGCMedia.com, and The FAMUAN; and president of the U‑Design creative community. She also managed social media for FAMU SJGC’s official platforms, creating content that reached thousands of viewers.
“I’m most proud of my ability to serve my fellow students, the campus and the community,” Jean‑Louis said. “I wanted to use my talents to create spaces where people could feel special, feel seen, and feel supported. I never sought out to be out front. Some of the people I’ve been most inspired by never had titles. They were impactful behind the scenes.”
As Jean‑Louis managed her many roles at SJGC, she also maintained one of the highest GPAs among her peers — a feat she credits to the value of accountability to self and to others that was instilled in her as a child.
“My parents always taught me to stay on top of my academics,” she said. “If something was ever going to compromise my academics, I would step down from it. But I have been able to take what we’ve learned in the classroom and apply it in my everyday work, building upon my goals as a multimedia journalist.”
Kaylin Jean-Louis is frequently called upon to host and interview special guests on campus for student media and national platforms, including "FAMUNOW" on SiriusXM Channel 142, which focuses on HBCUs. She is pictured with actress, author and entrepreneur Malinda Williams.
Her focus and ability to balance learning and doing has led to her becoming an award‑winning journalist before even leaving campus. She’s leveraged her ability to produce, script and edit audio and video, along with her digital media, reporting and on‑camera skills, to create content that has drawn the attention of industry professionals. Earlier this spring, Jean‑Louis was recognized by the Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists at the Florida News Awards, earning first place in the Collegiate General Assignment News category for her coverage of changing diversity, equity and inclusion policies and their impact on students.
The achievement came on the heels of completing a successful 2025 summer internship with Bloomberg News, where she will return after graduation, accepting a full‑time position as a rotational reporter at the news organization’s headquarters in the “media capital of the world,” New York.
The role will give her the opportunity to report across multiple disciplines and platforms with a focus on technology, economics, business, and more. She’s eager to explore new areas in media while also reporting on some of the most critical stories facing citizens. This new chapter represents a full‑circle moment — her passion for impacting the local community as a child has taken her to a global stage.
“I felt like I would have the space to grow in my first years as a professional journalist. They’re open to new ideas and flexibility,” she said about Bloomberg.
Jean‑Louis credits SJGC faculty and staff for helping her elevate her multimedia talents, particularly Edward Thomas, the director of FAMU TV‑20, whose mentorship helped shape her growth in multimedia production.
“I was always emailing Mr. Thomas with ideas, asking for feedback, and he always let me play with my creativity in the studio,” she said.
Thomas said her impact at SJGC and on the future of the media industry is undeniable.
“From the first day I met Kaylin, her thirst for creativity was insatiable,” he said. “I am thrilled with anticipation about the awesome and inspiring work she is yet to create. Her limit is beyond the sky.”
As she looks ahead, she remains open to where God and purpose might lead her — including a long‑term dream of launching her own multimedia company, KJ Media, combining production, independent journalism and training opportunities for future storytellers.
“I aspire to inspire until I expire,” she said, reciting a favorite mantra by author Eugene Bell, Jr.“
Gallery
Kaylin Jean-Louis leaves FAMU fully experienced with using her voice on a national level. She is pictured above with comedian, actor, and podcaster Roy Wood Jr. (top center), "The Chi" actors Shamon Brown Jr. and Alex R. Hibbert (top left), and with fellow Bloomberg News interns and trainees, including 2025 FAMU SJGC grad Micah Barkley, also a reporter at Bloomberg.
