Jasmine Mershon McKinney’s Stories, Lessons & Insights

Jasmine Mershon McKinney shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Jasmine Mershon, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity for sure! Integrity is important to me because it’s the foundation of who I am. Having morals and standards keeps me grounded, and staying true to myself allows me to move through life with peace, knowing I’m not compromising who I am just to fit in or get ahead. To me, integrity is about being real, choosing honesty, respect, and authenticity even when it’s not the easiest path. I’ve learned that when you stand firm in your values, you not only earn the trust of others, but you also gain a deeper love and respect for yourself.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I am Jasmine Mershon McKinney, I am a multifaceted entrepreneur blending music, authorship, and philanthropy to inspire change. I am determined to leave a lasting impact. I believe that life isn’t about limiting yourself to one lane, it’s about using all of your gifts and passions to inspire, uplift, and open doors for others. That’s why I’ve embraced being a multifaceted entrepreneur, wearing many hats as a singer, songwriter, author, and nonprofit founder. Each part of what I do connects back to my purpose of creating something meaningful, whether it’s through music, storytelling, or service.

As an artist, I pour my heart into my music, blending R&B, soul, and pop to share stories that are honest, emotional, and relatable. My songs reflect not just my own experiences, but the journey of finding strength, love, and self-acceptance in a world that often tries to shape us into something we’re not. Music is where I share the most vulnerable parts of myself, and I love that it gives others the space to see themselves, to heal, and to know they’re not alone.

Beyond music, I am also a published author, I’ve written 6 children’s books. I love writing books that encourage, builds confidence, and awareness in young readers while also preparing them for the future.

And then there’s my heart work, The Step Up Program. For over five years, I’ve had the privilege of leading this nonprofit to serve thousands of homeless women, children, and families with meals, personal care items, rental and utility assistance, transportation, clothing and care. This work grounds me. It reminds me daily that success is not just about what you accomplish for yourself, but how much you give and the lives you touch along the way.

All of these are woven together to represent who I am and what my brand stands for: authenticity, resilience, creativity, and compassion. I don’t believe in putting myself in a box. I believe in breaking barriers, following my passions wholeheartedly, and building a legacy that inspires others to do the same.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
What breaks the bonds between people is the loss of trust, abuse, constant negativity, or someone tearing another person down, it chips away at the foundation of respect and love that every healthy relationship needs. Words and actions have power, being mean-spirited, dismissive, or belittling not only hurts in the moment but also creates wounds that are hard to heal. I believe relationships should be a safe space where people can grow, not a battlefield where they’re torn apart. Once trust is broken and someone feels devalued, it becomes difficult to rebuild that bond.

As far as restoring them. I don’t believe in restoring anything. You have to learn to let go and move forward. Your peace should be your number one priority. Let go and let GOD handle the rest!

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has taught me lessons that success never could. The challenges I’ve faced in life gave me the strength to stand firm in who I am and the courage to keep going even when the road wasn’t easy. Suffering taught me to be patient, to appreciate even the smallest blessings, and to find strength that I didn’t even know I had. Suffering humbled me and deepened my compassion for others because you understand what it feels like to struggle. Suffering also shaped my heart for service. It inspired me to create The Step Up Program, because I know what it feels like to need help, to feel unseen, and to crave a second chance. Success celebrates the outcome, but suffering shapes the soul, it gave me resilience, compassion, and purpose, and for that I am so very grateful.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, the public version of me is absolutely the real me. What you see is what you get. I don’t believe in putting on a mask just to be accepted or to appear a certain way. The same values, authenticity, and passion I carry in my personal life are the same ones I show through my music, writing, and nonprofit work. I’ve learned that staying true to myself is the most powerful thing I can do. The public version of me is simply me choosing to share my gifts and my journey with the world, but at the core, it’s always the same Jasmine.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
What I understand deeply that most people don’t is the true value of appreciation and love. Life is temporary, and nothing lasts forever, which is why I try to cherish every moment I get with my family and the people I love. Time is something you can never get back, so appreciating it while you have it is so important. I’ve also learned that when you truly love yourself, you naturally want to do right by your body, your spirit, and even the world around you. For me, that means showing love and compassion not only to people, but also to animals, choosing not to eat them because their lives matter too. It’s about being grateful for the simple things we often take for granted, like the air we breathe, the beauty of nature, and the gift of waking up each day. At the heart of it all, appreciation and love are the keys to living a life that feels full and meaningful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jasminemershon.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everythingmershonllc/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasmine-mckinney-678998265/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JasmineMershon
• Other: https://linktr.ee/everythingmershonllc