Meet Janay Watson, @model_of_the_light, an inspiring member of the Global Vitiligo Foundation Community. Janay tells us that her journey as Model of the Light began with her drive to challenge the status quo and push the boundaries of what the industry has said “beauty” looks like. In her words, “I began modeling in local runway shows, such as Indiana’s Passion 4 Fashion Week, and for local clothing brands in 2017. I then signed to my first modeling agency in 2019 and signed to my second agency in 2020. This led to me modeling for brands such as Finish Line, Meijer, Akira, Delta Faucet, and so many more. I never imagined myself as a model because I didn’t see models that looked like me in stores, in magazines, or in ads. As I started to find purpose in my passions, I took the need for this representation and created a goal to see it through.”

As Janay tells it, “One highlight of my career has been walking into a Meijer store and seeing myself on signs and in their ad. This is such an accomplishment for the vitiligo community and for the industry. I can’t imagine what seeing my face represented in ads and signs for such big companies would have done for my confidence growing up. The challenge is overcoming the doubt and fear that I might fail and rejecting the lie that I am inadequate. Once you’ve let those voices go, you then take back the authority to fulfill your purpose.”

Janay’s involvement in the vitiligo community started when she found the Fearfully and Wonderfully Made Indianapolis Community Group. As a teenager, she would search the web for hours looking for people with vitiligo and support groups near her. Janay comments, “This amazing group changed my life. We travel to schools, attend community fairs, and speak on major platforms to educate and create awareness about vitiligo. This has also led to one of my greatest accomplishments thus far; attending the World Vitiligo Day conference in 2018 as a guest speaker!”

Janay’s advice to people living with vitiligo who may struggle to step into new a challenge or opportunity is to “take back their authority to reject the lie that they are inadequate. Your vitiligo does not make you less worthy of love