Jasminne Mendez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jasminne Mendez
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Mendez at the 2022 Texas Book Festival.
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| Occupation | Poet, short story writer, author |
| Language | English, Spanish |
| Alma mater | University of Houston |
| Notable works | Night Blooming Jasmin(n)e: Personal Essays and Poems (2019), Island of Dreams (2013) |
| Notable awards | Best Young Adult Latino Focused Book |
Jasminne Mendez is an amazing American writer, poet, and performer. She is also an educator, meaning she teaches others. Jasminne is known for being Afro-Latina, which means she has both African and Latin American heritage.
She helped start and now directs an organization called Tintero Projects. She also co-hosts a podcast about poetry and writing called InkWell. Jasminne has been part of many special writing programs, like CantoMundo and Kenyon Review.
Contents
Early Life and School
Jasminne Mendez's parents moved to the United States from the Dominican Republic in 1980. They were looking for a better life for their family. Her father joined the United States Army and served for 22 years.
Because her parents were immigrants, Jasminne grew up speaking both Spanish and English. This helped her connect with different cultures.
She finished high school in San Antonio, Texas. Then, she moved to Houston to attend the University of Houston. She went to college from 2002 to 2007 on a special scholarship called the Gates Millennium Scholars Program.
Jasminne earned two degrees from the University of Houston. She studied English Literature and also Curriculum and Instruction. Later, she earned another degree in Creative Writing from Pacific Lutheran University.
Her Writing Career
Jasminne Mendez writes about the experiences of Afro-Latinos in the United States. She wants to make sure their stories are heard. She writes short stories, poems, and other types of books.
In 2016, one of her essays, "El Corte," won an honorable mention award. The same year, her collection of essays, "Interruptions & Detours," was a semi-finalist for another prize. In 2017, she won the COG Zine Best Poetry Prize.
Island of Dreams
Jasminne's first book, Island of Dreams, came out in 2013. It's a mix of poetry and stories about her own teenage years. The book talks about the challenges of growing up as an Afro-Latina in the U.S.
Many schools across the country use Island of Dreams to teach students. In 2015, the book won the Best Young Adult Latino Focused Book award.
Night-Blooming Jasmin(n)e
Her second book, Night-Blooming Jasmin(n)e: Personal Essays & Poems, was published in 2019. This book shares her personal journey with chronic illness. When she was 22, she was diagnosed with scleroderma. Later, she was also diagnosed with lupus.
Night-Blooming Jasmin(n)e explores how her race, background, and gender connect with her experience of living with a long-term illness.
Other Works and Performances
From 2018, Jasminne worked as a Senior Contributing Editor for Queen Mob's Tea House. This is an online magazine that shares writing from around the world.
In February 2019, her play, City Without Altar, was read at a festival in Houston, Texas. This festival, called Sin Muros Latinx Theatre Festival, celebrates plays by Latinx writers.
Jasminne has performed her poetry in many places. She has shared her work at universities like the University of Houston and the University of Houston–Clear Lake. She has also performed at important places in Houston, including the Holocaust Museum Houston, the Alley Theatre, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
She has also been a guest editor for special issues of literary magazines. These issues focused on topics like Afro-Latinx poetry and environmental disasters.
Jasminne is very involved in the art community in Houston. In 2016, she and her husband, Lupe Mendez, started Tintero Projects. This group helps new Latina/o poets and writers in Houston find opportunities to write and share their work. In 2018, Jasminne also created a blog called Plátano Poetry Café. This blog helps highlight the work of Afro-Latina/o poets.
Awards
- Island of Dreams - Best Young Adult Latino Focused Book by the International Latino Book Awards (2015)
- COG Zine Best Poetry Prize (2017)
- City Without Altar - Helen C. Smith Memorial Award for Best Book of Poetry (2023)
Personal Life
Jasminne Mendez lives in the Houston area with her husband, Lupe Mendez, and their child.
See also
In Spanish: Jasminne Mendez para niños
