Meet Jasmine Sims | Spoken Word Artist /Poet

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jasmine Sims and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jasmine, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
The value that matters the most to me is integrity. Growing up my father would always tell me “Talent can keep you in a room but your character and integrity keep you there” and that has always stuck with me. As I pursue my dreams and continue to grow it is important to me that I can lay my head down at night with a clear conscience knowing I did my best towards others and my craft. I don’t want the best version of me to exist in my art or on a stage, I want to be a good woman in every capacity of my life, she won’t be perfect but she should have integrity.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As I child stories captivated me not just the stories I read but the way the adults around me spoke. I come from a black church background and the way words and stories are used are incredibly beautiful. I grew up watching people tell stories with their whole bodies or even in a single look. I took to words naturally, telling my own stories and reading any chance I could!

This turned into poetry, my grandfather was also a poet. I had the opportunity to be mentored by many poets growing up and I was given space to learn my voice through school and church programs. Writing was more than a hobby or way of self-expression for me, it was a calling. I would go to open mics I would recite poems and I would even make changes on stage to fit what I thought the audience needed at the time. This turned into an ability to freestyle poems with the audience.

Pursuing my dream has not been easy, I have been tempted to a few times but I just can’t. I have faced many disappointments and life will always be life. I’ve learned the importance of consistency and not giving up. The frustrations and disappointments are just ways to build wisdom and character so I keep going. I couldn’t sit and hope someone would come and see my talent I had to jump and put on my shows and get my voice out into the world. The ones who are meant to hear it will hear it. I believe this gift that I have is from God and that I believe has been evident in my journey.

I have learned a lot on this journey. I learned how to hear people and to see them through the craft of writing. I see how much we need authenticity from others because it gives us the push we need to be authentic ourselves. I teach the youth how to find their voice as well and I see how necessary it is for people to embrace what is inside of them because it effects how we interact with the world around us. Learning to listen to yourself will give us the grace we need to listen to others. Giving space to our pain will give us the patience to give space to the pain of others. I am also a love poet and I truly believe in the power of love.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am from Milwaukee! and I love where I am from. If I had a friend visiting we would spend some time at the lake, I know it’s not the ocean but it’s what we got! And I love the water and the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks. We would have to stop by the Sherman Pheonix which has some amazing black-owned shops and great food and of course, we are stopping at a plant shop! I am a plant mom. We could also stop at the 24th Street marketplace, they have live events and music and of course more good food! It’s a good place to just hang out and you have the option to find a quiet place to talk or join in on the fun!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to shout out Ezekiel Azonwu, he has graciously opened many doors for me to continue to pursue my craft. He is also someone whose integrity I admire.

Website: https://www.thejasminesims.com/

Instagram: @thejasminesims

Facebook: TheJasmineSIms

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCutjHZtY41SYPsVwo37YVoA