Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmine Shaw.
Hi Jasmine, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was an only child until age seven and one of the many ways my parents would keep me entertained was through books and movies. Naturally, I developed a love for words and storytelling, and the rest is history! I started taking writing seriously in 2016 after finishing grad school and being disappointed by the lack of opportunities in my desired career field of Nonprofit Management. I kept finding temporary and seasonal positions, but nothing that could sustain me long-term and I grew tired of having my livelihood rest on someone else’s hands.
After hearing Javacia Harris-Bowser, founder of the women’s writing network See Jane Write, speak at a conference, I signed up for membership and my life has never been the same. My first blog, Season26.com, focused on faith, family, feelings, and finances; all the areas that I felt needed improvement at the time. I was able to build and grow an audience and hone my skills as a writer through all of the workshops, events, and resources offered through See Jane Write.
In 2017, I started pitching my writing and social media coverage services to any local event I wanted to attend and wound up securing VIP access at some Bham favs like the Magic City Wine Fest, Art On The Rocks, The Magic City Art Connection, hair shows, and more!
By 2018, I was freelancing for the Birmingham times and had written a profile piece for AL.com. I was freelancing as a side job while working my way up at various nonprofits. I really enjoyed writing profile pieces about local entrepreneurs, many of them longtime friends, and helping people get to know the person behind the products.
In 2020, I decided to try my hand at podcasting since writing can be rather time-consuming and I wanted to spread my wings. I started QueensBeLike, which was a weekly dose of love and advice rooted in Christ, with fellow writer C.J Wade and went on to launch The Jasmine Tea, which provides piping hot commentary on your favorite Blackity Black Shows a year later.
This summer I became the regional producer for The Moth Live here in Birmingham. It’s a monthly storytelling show that has taught me the behind-the-scenes aspects of production and I love it! I dream of writing my own TV shows and watching them come to life on a screen one day.
I also host trivia once a week to help me stay sharp on my hosting/crowd management skills.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As a child, the road was pretty smooth since life as an over-achieving honor roll student wasn’t too hard. The struggles started when I finished undergrad in 2012 with the goal of “saving the world” through nonprofits at a time when the economy was still struggling to recover from a recession.
My ego was crushed when I couldn’t land a job. I would spend days walking around the mall handing out applications and driving around town to any place I could think of but would always end up being overqualified for customer service roles but still underqualified for positions in my field. I eventually landed a job as a Program Manager and my career slowly grew from there.
Another struggle was my 2018 divorce. As a Southern Baptist preacher’s kid, I felt like Hester Prynne from The Scarlet Letter. The overachiever in me felt ashamed that I had “failed” at something but that season of pain turned out to be one of the greatest blessings of my life. Getting divorced forced me to shift my focus from being an “us” to simply being me. In the four years since I’ve thrived in ways, I never imagined and have poured more into the woman I’ve always wanted to be.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m primarily known as a writer. It’s my first and most coveted love. I can write just about anything you may need but I most enjoy writing profile pieces and blog posts about whatever’s on my mind.
My 2nd passion is podcasting. The Jasmine Tea is on season three and I still have a plethora of content ideas! I love putting the show on YouTube as well, it gives the “late-night talk show” vibes that I aspire to host one day. The show focuses on the latest news and reviews on Black TV and I invite guests to talk about the latest hot topics, performances, and the impact of Black media today.
What sets me apart from others is my natural candor and creativity! I grew up reciting Easter speeches and making church announcements so I’ve never been shyed away from the spotlight. I’m constantly thinking of new ideas for blog posts and podcast episodes so I’m excited to see how I continue to grow.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
I’m all about making money while making an impact so it’s no surprise that I gravitated to the nonprofit field. Education is also very important to me. I serve on the Birmingham Education Foundation’s junior board, which runs an annual laptop drive for Bham City School seniors. They also offer wonderful mentorship opportunities and paid internships throughout the city. I love being able to give back to the community that helped make me who I am and give other kids the opportunity to reach their biggest dreams.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thejasminet.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejasminet/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100065422272578
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thejasminetea
Image Credits
Pics with the green hair were taken by Victor Cole
