I’m Jasmine Leonard, 29 years old ,5’4’’ , 104 lbs. I earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Broadcast Journalism from Point Park University. I’m an independent music artist that performs at various venues in Pittsburgh: August Wilson Center, New Hazlett Theater, Club Cafe, Kelly Strayhorne just to name a few. I sing R&B Pop Soul and I’m currently working on my debut CD entitled “Music Therapy:1st Prescription” During my time at Point Park University, I discovered my love for hosting, event planning , public relations, branding and social media marketing, all of which I do now professionally on an independent case-by-case basis. Currently I work as a substitute teacher for Pittsburgh Public Schools.
Since I was born 3 months premature at 1lb 12 ounces, literally fighting for my life for months in the NICU,this is one thing that makes me a beautiful, brown, bold woman. I was eventually released from the hospital and since then, I’ve been living to tell my story not only surviving but thriving as well. In addition to my premature birth, I later learned that I had a blood clot in my right leg.
Even with my medical challenges and just challenges of life, I still continue to be as optimistic as I can be in my life regardless of all these trials and tribulations that I face. I know that I can get another blood clot so I have to mentally prepare myself. Last October 2014 and also this October 2016, I was diagnosed with 2 DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis )blood clots which had me hospitalized, thinking a lot deeper about my life since when I had the first one .It was a complete shock. Early in my life I was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) also with a Learning Disability. I’ve always had an innate drive to succeed well above expectations of others. If I work twenty times harder than every other “average” person, I usually succeed at what I’m working on. ADD cannot be fully described as one particular mental problem. Some of the issues caused by ADD can lead to anxiety, depression, learning disabilities, and sometimes relationships with others including family.
Anxiety has been a major challenge for me. I like to know exactly what is going on, if someone tells me something. Things I ruminate about are relationships; in particular, breakups, and my parents opinions. Having ADD is both something I am living with and thriving with and also something that was an adversity when I was first diagnosed and learned more about it and how it could affect my life. Learning to cope with this makes me a beautiful ,brown,bold woman.
My goals for the future include securing a permanent early childhood paraprofessional position in Pittsburgh Public Schools, continuing to apply for public relations, and social media marketing ,entertainment and /or TV/radio jobs. Some of my goals are to continue to pursue a music career here in Pittsburgh,PA ,perform at as multiple venues, collaborate with other artists,submit my music for TV and movie licensing. Singing and performing are two of my main passions. I’m launching my crowd funding campaign on GoFund Me to help with the funding for my debut music project this spring 2016, which I mentioned earlier will be entitled “Music Therapy: 1st prescription.” I already have a distribution/management company that is interested in working with me. I am working with my amazing vocal coach, producers and songwriters to create my catalog of work for my debut music CD. Part of my goal is to formulate a plan to give back to the youth of Pittsburgh through my own Performing Arts Foundation for children who were born premature and have a love for music. This is something that I truly intend on doing after my music is released. I have always been a very ambitious and hard working young woman. I am honored to be one of the 100 women chosen for this incredible movement.I love this opportunity to celebrate sisterhood, and represent Pittsburgh as one of the beautiful, bold ,brown women.
