We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jasmine McKinney. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jasmine below.
Hi Jasmine, thanks for joining us today. Is there a historical figure you look up to? Who are they and what lessons or values have you learned from them?
Harriet Tubman is a historical figure that I look up to. She truly inspires me to be great. There are times when I’m tired and don’t feel like doing something and I ask myself (Who am I, not to give it my all? Who am I, to say that I’m tired?) I look back on what my people had to go through and tell myself I can’t complain. Like Harriet, I myself was a runaway. There were some things that happened in my life and there was no way out, but to get away from the situation. Harriet Tubman freed a lot of slaves and helped so many people. That inspires me, in my personal life and my professional life. With my organization, I help a lot of people and like Harriet, I am freeing them. I’m helping them with their mindset and letting them know that anything is possible.
Jasmine, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am Jasmine McKinney. I am the Founder/CEO of The Step Up Program and Author of the Smile Poem & A Message For You! Children’s Books. I have a strong passion for encouraging others to be great. I love to see smiles on people’s faces. I enjoy helping others and giving back. On June 1st, 2020, I decided to start The Step Up Program non-profit organization. This has always been my passion, as I stated in my previous interview, I already had the name picked out and some of the services that I wanted to provide as a little girl. I love to inspire and speak life into others. The Step Up Program has been up and running for over 3 Years. We have been able to impact the lives of over 200 individuals and families. We are extremely proud of the work that we do. We provide resources, employment assistance, meals to the hungry, clothes to those in need, temporary shelter to the homeless, transportation to those without means, and counseling to those in distress. We want to help people live better lives. We understand that sometimes, life can get hard! We also understand that sometimes, all you need is a helping hand to provide guidance and resources to help you through your journey! I am proud to say that the work that we do truly comes from the heart. I have given this organization my all and I will continue to do so. We are all here to help each other out.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
There are times when we don’t have enough donations coming in. When that happens, I do what needs to be done. I may have to pick up a part-time job in order to keep the organization afloat. There are people that need my assistance, and I am willing to do what it takes to help.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
Some of my favorite books that helped me along the way are. The Go-Giver by Bob Burg, The Richest Man In Babylon by George Clason, What I Know For Sure by Oprah Winfrey, Think Big by Ben Carson, You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero, The Seasons of Life by Jim Rohn. Those are a few of my favorite books. I enjoy reading self-help books, I am really big on investing in myself and my mindset. The knowledge that I have gained from those books has helped me become a better entrepreneur.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thestepupprogram.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestepupprogram/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TSUPPSC
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasmine-mckinney-678998265/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TSUPPSC
- Other: Children Books https://a.co/d/7FcBJDD https://a.co/d/bGopDTt