About J. Spain

Peace. Jasmin Spain is the God-fearing son of Helen Reed and Kirby Spain, brother to Ayona Cooper and Jacoby Spain, and uncle to Snoop, Sissy and Toni. Jasmin is S.O.G., “Straight Outta Gaston!” Jasmin is a native of Gaston, USA, located in eastern North Carolina, Northampton County to be exact. An environment which is recognized by the NC Policy Watch as a county for over numerous decades as being “persistently poor,” where only a third of the population are employed, and out of 100 counties is ranked in the top 20 of those who with the highest poverty rate the state. Unemployment, drugs, prostitution, alcohol, along with other challenges, Gaston, just like other places with limited resources and challenges outside of our control, is strong in knowing how to “make-do,” doing a lot with a little, and believing in God to continue to provide all of our needs.

Jasmin is a two-time College graduate, holds a number of certifications, with a prophesy fulfilled tattoo that reads “Blessed with Success, Cursed with Ambition.” But there is more. As he tells everyone, the job that he gets paid for is serving as a higher education administrator but the work that he was made and called by the Most High to do is serve as the Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of The M.A.I.N. Initiative, LLC and as the Founder and President of the non-profit, U Good, Bro?! Inc.

I personally represent for the Brothers who grew up with a single parent with no father in the home. I personally represent for the Brothers who were molested at the age of five by his female babysitter that as a result woke up some things inside of me that no five-year-old boy should be awaken to. I personally represent for the Brothers who had trust issues with Black men for not having a father in the home but was a hypocrite for being responsible for mentoring and creating programs and initiatives for Black boys. I personally represent for the Brothers that despite success in abundance dealt with imposter syndrome. I personally represent for the Brothers who almost committed suicide but by the grace of God did not execute. And I personally represent to this day and with acceptance of the thorn in my flesh as Paul in the Bible puts it, that I am living as a Black man diagnosed and am SUCCEEDING with the mental illness bipolar disorder II.

My life’s work is very intentional about providing a safe, brave, vulnerable, and transparent spaces to grow through the unapologetic emotions, thoughts, and real life experiences felt by all human beings. We cannot afford to ignore the realities of society, and be shocked re-traumatization occurs again and not being prepared.

Thanks, and I hope you enjoy the site as much as I enjoyed overcoming my fear to step out of the box to put it together. And I would be out of line without saying I love you to my family and friends who held and continue to hold me down, from the block to the boardroom. Peace.

John 15:13 (NIV)

For a deeper look into who Jasmin is, check out this Substantial Magazine interview, “You Good Bro? A Moment with Jasmin Spain”, with Gregory Hedgepeth, President/CEO of Substantial Media, LLC.