Jasmine Hardy Talks About the Current State of Black Media.

Jasmine Hardy Talks About Former College Life, Working for REVOLT, and the Current State of Black Media.

Jasmine Hardy

Social media, in many instances, has given us a sense of entitlement when it comes to the people we follow and what they choose to share about their lives. Mysticism is uncommon in the world of being creative because everything you do to some capacity has to be on display to help garner an audience and a bigger following. What I noticed about Jasmine Hardy is the complete opposite. Although she’ll throw out a few tweets here and there, a lot of what you think you know about her is surface level. It took me having a full conversation with her to better understand who she is, where she comes from, and the ins and outs of her job.

The California-bred creative isn’t much of a talker, but Jasmine is very introspective when it comes to her background and how she got to where she currently is today. She talks from a place of uncertainty in the beginning stages of her life to becoming someone who began to catch her stride when she got into college. The writer assistant also credits her hustle and grind to her early life living in New York. “Honestly the saying ‘If you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere’ is absolutely true,” Jasmine says. “The city will eat you up, but I definitely just learned to keep good people around me and handle my business.”

To conclude our August, I decided to catch up with Jasmine. She talked to me about growing up in Los Angeles to moving to New York for school, how she got into writing and producing, working with Joe Budden and his State Of The Culture show, the current state of Black media, and how she plans to expand her name and brand for the remainder of 2021. Read the full interview below.

1 - Before we start this interview, talk to me about how you’re feeling right now mentally?

Thank you for asking, I feel good! Been a crazy last year, but I've been blessed to be in good health and not have to deal with any crazy series of events.

2 - You grew up in Brooklyn, NY if I'm not mistaken, right?. Talk to me about your life there.

I’ve been living in BK for a while now, but I grew up in LA. Born and raised in California. I moved to New York for college. Growing up in LA was what you would expect it to be. I wouldn’t change it for the world. 

3 - As someone who currently works for one of the biggest cultural media companies out there, do you remember your first introduction to media and entertainment as a kid?

Absolutely, my mom is really into music so since I was a kid we were at concerts and going to the movies. I never saw myself as a writer or that career; as a kid, I wanted to be a doctor, lawyer, or model lol. But once I got to college and saw those pre-med classes that changed fast.

4 -  It seems as if you were drawn to writing. Where did that love come from?

I’m not much of a talker, lol. A lot of my friends will tell you I keep to myself, just pretty mellow and chill. So I’ve just always been drawn to writing.; big on Tumblr back in the day. Funny enough, I’m pretty sure I got it from my mom. She would always have me writing stuff as a kid; definitely had to do book reports and all kinds of stuff to stay occupied as a kid. In college, I switched my major to English Lit and it's basically been a wrap since. I enjoy writing, I never considered myself to be a writer, and at times I still don't but I'm very aware that it’s something I'm good at and comes naturally to me. I’ve never wanted my work to feel like a job and over the years I've been able to grow as a writer and so now it's naturally fun but it took a while to get here.

5 - You attended Pace U. where you studied English Lit. Talk a little bit about your college life and how you think that prepared you as a young adult. 

Being in college in New York City and never having been to New York outside of a quick trip was crazy. I was a transfer student and didn’t have any family out there so my friends basically became my support system. Honestly the saying “If you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere” is absolutely true lol. The city will eat you up, but I definitely just learned to keep good people around me and handle my business. And since my school was a pretty small, white ass school in the middle of FiDi, the black kids stuck together.  I got put on by a friend of one of my best friends in college, shout out to JB. New York was a really fun experience, it prepared me for a lot in life. It taught me hustle and grit and that it’s okay to fail—mad times.

6 - If you had to list some takeaways from your college days what would they be?

Definitely make sure you network. I feel like everyone says that’s actually what college is about, and it’s true. Networking is what got me in the position I'm in today. I don’t think I learned much in class, I will be 100% real (I was an English major..) But the conversations and opportunities being in college in a place like New York were well worth the monthly payment to Sallie Mae (kind of). Oh, and if you didn’t see it get rolled, don't smoke it.

7 - You went through a variety of different jobs during the last decade. What made you want to apply to work for REVOLT as a Researcher? Also, what exactly did that job entail?

I actually had a series of events that led me to jump into production full time and from there I took a ton of freelance jobs and eventually landed at Revolt after applying. As a researcher, I basically would make sure all of the facts we discussed on the show were true. Bringing ideas and topics to meetings. 

8 -  You’re now nearly three years in at REVOLT where you currently work as a Writer Assistant. You’ve done work on REVOLT Black News as well Joe Budden’s old show State of the Culture. Before the Writer Assistant position, you were an Associate Producer.  How did that transition happen from a Researcher? 

I started out at Revolt as a production assistant on State of the Culture actually, and after watching the first episode I worked on I approached the executive producer and told her I felt I could make her show better—big shoot your shot energy. She basically asked me why I felt that way and gave me the opportunity to become a researcher. From there I moved up to AP and that was my last role. When I was tapped to work on Revolt Black News, I started as an AP, and eventually when the position for Assistant Writer opened up, I applied and the rest was history. 

9 - For those who may be unaware, can you explain the details of your job as a Writer Assistant?

I assist the writer in all of the creative for the show. We’ve worked together for years now so we gel pretty well. He takes over a lot of the creative, but I get to have my own portions of the show as well. A lot of it is researching, coming up with questions, and allowing the conversation to flow while slightly guiding it.

10 - What have been some of the biggest hurdles you faced getting into the career you’re in now? 

Freelance life is hard. It’s up and down and you really have to grind. I was working like 16+ hour days, for 7+ days at times. I’ve finally gotten to a place where my income is steady and I don’t have to work weekends—it’s great. I will say another big hurdle has been my own self-confidence. I had to realize every freelance job is not for you and you’re definitely not going to get every job you go for or gel with everyone you work with but there will be a few that just work out and you grow from there.

11 - If you could change one thing about the world of media, what would it be?

Oh, this is tough. I guess I’d like to see more people of color, in every position. I feel like that’s pretty cliche, but it’s been really great working with people that look like me and I hope everyone gets that experience. 

12 - What’s your true definition of success?

Aw man, I think my true definition of success is your name being in rooms even when you physically aren’t, being able to provide for yourself and when work doesn’t feel like work. I won’t say at this point in time I'm successful by my definition but I'm 100% on the road to getting there and it’s taken a lot of time. I’ve been in this industry since 2012 and I just feel like I'm really doing something and making strides. I feel like once I really get disciplined and get my foot in a few doors, that’s when I hit the definition of success.

13 - What else can we expect from Jasmine Hardy as we move throughout the rest of the year? Anything happening beyond 2021? 

I’m just working on getting better every day. Producing, working, etc. Beyond 2021, hopefully, I'll be working with Issa Rae or somebody, lol. I would love to work on a sitcom, that would be different.