As the leader the Fusion Youth Radio program, Jasmine Farmer mentors students from Chapel Hill and Carborro high schools as they create a radio show that broadcasts live once a month on WXYC, the student radio station at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. From left, Sam Cook, Kassia, Allissa Farmer, Jasmine, Elayna Madden, and co-leader Will McInerney participate in a group activity in order to build relationships based on trust and communication, both of which are vital to respectfully engaging in dialogue in the production studio and on air.
"Fusion Youth Radio has let my voice become something it did not used to be. It gave my voice a confident ring, a louder sound, and a stronger opinion," said Annie Conolly, a high school student and member of the Fusion Youth Radio team. Although Jasmine is only 19 years old, she has proved to be a role model to her students by providing structured, yet open meetings in which students pitch their topics and listen attentively as their peers give constructive feedback.
Jasmine shares a laugh with her co-mentor and roommate, Brenton Harrison before a spoken word event at the Marian Cheek Jackson Center. In the background, Marian Jackson is seen sharing in her own joy. The Center was established in order to honor Jackson, who has served as the historian for the Northside and Pine Knolls communities in Chapel Hill. She fills this role in these communities in order to preserve its African-American history, which is specifically rich in this area.
As Brantise Johnson reads aloud from the dialogue that she helped compile for Fusion Youth Radio's monthly program, Jasmine offers support through her intent focus on Brantise and whispered words of encouragement. Jasmine implores Brantise to speak more frequently and with more assurance because her voice is just as important and should be just as prominent as the other three students who sit beside her.
While a typical 19-year-old might believe that her ability to inspire change is limited, Jasmine holds the opposite to be true. Because of her youth, she is better able to relate to students, the future leaders and innovators in our communities. After overcoming a difficult high school experience because of frequent relocations, Jasmine understands the need for a creative outlet and form of self-expression. It is for this reason that she has devoted herself to programs in the community in which students can foster their own creativity.
Jasmine's ability to command the attention of those around her can be felt in every room she enters. Not fazed by the hair dryer that sits atop her head, Jasmine's vehemently asserts her opinions in a conversation with her hairdresser and friend Ebony Alston. Although she always has something to say, every word is as powerful as the last and every sentence reveals the depth of her compassion.
As commanding as her presence is on stage, Jasmine also contends with the doubt that she is not fully able to fulfill the role to which she feels called. Alston gently handles Jasmine hair before she begins cutting off the last of her chemically relaxed ends. With those strands fall the remnants of the girl she used to be and all that is left are the curls that more adequately represent her vivacious character.
After sitting through her haircut, Jasmine looks at herself in the mirror and reflects at the woman she is slowly learning to embrace. Although she faces the challenge of overcoming the preconceived notions of what is means to be a young black woman in Chapel Hill, she does so fearlessly. In doing so, she serves as an example to every student under her guidance.
Jasmine stands tall as she recites her spoken word piece at the Sacrificial Poets Open Mic at Flyleaf Books. The Sacrificial Poets is a team of young men and women who create both written and spoken poetry as a form of empowerment through expression. As an alumni of the Sacrificial Poets 2012 team, Jasmine continues to work for the organization as a teacher and performer.
During a break in the Fusion Youth Radio broadcast, Jasmine offers her widest grin and a thumbs up in response to the segment her mentees just aired. Jasmine stresses that when the students are given the opportunity to speak their minds, they must do so thoughtfully and intelligently. When the students began to challenge each other on the topic of education, Jasmine vibrantly expressed her approval.
