I’m Jasmine, but people call me JaiBee. I’m a Libra, my favorite color is red, I like long walks on the beach- just kidding. I’m JaiBee and I’m a producer/editor at ESPN.

Where has life taken you since graduating from LU?

There were a lot of ups and downs. I wish I had that success story where I graduated and immediately went into my field. After graduating, I went back to my retail job at Adidas and did side gigs that involved photography and videography. A lot of freelance work. I graduated in 2012, but I really didn’t get fully into my field until like 2015. I was in a dark place and I realized I wasn’t feeding my creativity. I quit my job and decided to do a dance documentary. I had an amazing experience doing that and I met some great creatives in the DMV area. Once I finished the documentary, it seemed like things started to fall in place. After that, I taught middle schoolers and high schoolers video production, and I worked for the Washington Mystics over the summer as a digital producer. Once I finished that I moved to Baltimore and worked at Baltimore Center Stage as the head of Digital Media. That was a great experience. I loved everything about it. Following my time at Baltimore Center Stage, I got the job at ESPN. 

For those that don’t know, how do you get an Emmy in sports? I thought it was for acting?

A lot of hard work, long nights, Monster energy drinks, and finding the right story. With me, I’m a producer. I thought it was the higher ups who earn it like a director. I’m a producer-editor. I’m a one woman show: I come up with ideas, pitch them and put them together. It’s cool to know that my work on Sports Center was recognized. 

From the outside in, it looks like you just popped up at ESPN. But, we all know that’s not just the case. How did it happen? How did you encounter ESPN and then start working there?

ESPN has always been a part of my life because growing up I was heavily into sports. I played basketball, softball, and volleyball. I think I saw myself being on ESPN, playing basketball, before I saw myself working for them. When it came to finding myself within this crazy industry of media, I knew I wanted a job where I could showcase my storytelling and my love for sports. So ultimately ESPN was the best option, but I didn’t immediately seek them out. My confidence wasn’t there just yet. It wasn’t until Baltimore Center Stage that I grew as a producer, as a camera operator, and as a storyteller. I worked with some amazing artists. I have to say Hana S. Sharif, who’s now the Artistic Director at Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, she was the one. I was just in awe of her craft as a director, as a playwright, as a producer, as a mother balancing everything and the way she carried herself. She challenged me mentally and I love her for that. She probably doesn’t even know that, but I was watching her that closely and watching and learning from her definitely gave me that confidence. It unlocked something in me.

As I was lining up my next step in life I said, “F this I’m going to apply to ESPN and see what happens”. During the process, I remembered I fasted, prayed about it and spoke with my pastor a lot. Once I embarked on the interview process (because it is a long process), I remember being thee most mentally and spiritually clear I’ve ever been, if that makes sense. I was focused. Then, I received my offer in 2018. I was in New Jersey and I was going to see Black Panther, for the second time, when I received the call that I got the job. My dad and I ran out the theater screaming, yelling and I was crying. I’m sure the people at the movie theater were looking at us crazy, but I did not care. Once I got ESPN I went back to Baltimore Center Stage and I told Hana I was still a little nervous and she said “Go in there and show them JaiBee. You got this”. I’m sorry I know that was long lol

Na, it’s worth listening to. To shift into your work, in our conversation you mentioned HBCUs. Was the HBCU slant there or did it come about from your developing professionalism? 

I think I came into ESPN wanting to create stories for HBCUs, but I wanted to also see how ESPN showcases them. I needed to see who to talk to, what’s the platform for HBCU content, how much time will a platform allow me to represent HBCUs, etc. Overtime I noticed  ESPN showcased HBCUs, yet I thought we could do so much more.

As a Lincolnian, I repped my school to the fullest. I wanted to show that confidence and why we rep so hard. We rep hard because of the great community that surrounds HBCUs, we rep because we have great athletes and stories to tell.  That’s what I want ppl to take away whenever they watch a piece on an HBCU athlete or HBCU overall. HBCUs have a lot to offer and people need to stop looking at it as a step down. I believe it will be a way to help HBCU’s increase intake as well. Seeing Jackson State on ESPN is a great move. I wish right now that we can show much more and tell their story and I want to be the one who spearheads putting that out.

That sounds amazing. But Jai, did you have time to stop being a worker Bee? Were you able to gain anything from the forced year off? What was life like for you under lock down? 

It was more like a transition period. ESPN started getting us together remotely. In the beginning it was difficult because I only had a laptop. At work, you have it all laid out for you. But, once I got over that I realized that I actually enjoyed logging in and getting my work done in my pajamas. Creative wise, it was ok. I was used to going out and interviewing the athletes, having a whole crew, but now I had to settle for Zoom interviews and you’re like hoping and praying the wifi doesn’t mess up, lighting is right and the background is pleasing to the eye. Can’t have the Goldfish pack from Costco in the background HAHAHA. After a while, I got used to it. I had to learn how to use after effects for some of my interviews, which turned out fun. I also had to learn to create fun backgrounds in After Effects, playing with the textures, colors, etc.

Were there any new music artist or passions that came across your desk while locked inside?

I started watching more editing videos on youtube, mostly After Effects tutorials. If I see a music video and they have a cool transition I’ll watch the youtube tutorial and see if I could bring those techniques into the montages I create. I discovered this dope artist by the name of DOE. She had a song out with Jonathan McReynolds called “Hey You” and I was obsessed with it. I was introduced to her music by a Youtuber named Terrell. He has his own show “The Terrell Show” and he plays the game “Song Association”. I love his show and he’s opened me up to some amazing artists. I love DOE’s latest songs “Brighter” and “In Jesus Name” with Israel & New Breed. Willow Smith?! She’s AMAZING! She gives off the Avril Lavigne vibe and I love that. She released this project called “THE ANXIETY” and I had that on rotation for a while. She’s not new, but I think the whole world stopped when Jazmine Sullivan blessed us with Heaux Tales.

Do you see any opportunities for expanding your work either inside ESPN or within your own endeavors?

It’s funny because in the interview process I said in the future I see myself as a “30 for 30” producer or director. That’s still a goal for me. Filmmaking is definitely a passion of mine. Who knows, maybe I’ll get an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. It happened in 2016 with OJ: Made in America. I also want to explore everything that comes with this Disney umbrella I’m in. I hope I can spread my wings and create something for DisneyPlus, that’s another huge goal for me.

What are you up to now? What are you doing when you’re not working? 

Right now I’m in the middle of reading Cicely Tyson: Just as I am. I’m also getting back into my writing. My mind is along the lines of scripts, movies, concepts and ideas. If I’m not working, I’m probably searching for the next sneaker I should buy. I’ve brought so many sneakers in quarantine with nowhere to go. It’s crazy! If you follow me on social media you’re probably like “JaiBee brought some more sneakers AGAIN!” HAHAHA.

What’s in store for 2022? Any improvements, or projects?

HBCU content all 2022, 2023, 2024, etc. I want to work on more sneaker content for ESPN. There are some sneaker-heads at ESPN and I love working on sneaker content. I did a piece on the 25th Anniversary of Sheryl Swoopes debuting her signature shoe for Nike at the Olympics. That was fun. We had interviews with Sheryl Swoopes, Dawn Staley, Rebecca Lobo and Cynthia Cooper. We did a deep dive into WNBA players getting a signature shoe or lack thereof on a show called “Sneaker Legacies”. I hope to bring more content like that. I want to finish a script. I remember in high school and college I would write short stories, and scripts all the time. I want to at least finish one script in 2022. I want to travel more and that goes for when I’m working and when I’m not working.

Any shout outs?

My parents. They have been my number one supporters. My high school teacher Ms. Moore. She taught TV Production at McKinley Technology High School. When I go back to DC I can’t wait to have lunch with her and show her my Emmy. She sent me a Facebook message and she was so proud of me. Shout out to my LU family because the love I received has been overwhelming. I’m tempted to bring the Emmy to homecoming in 2022 HAHAHA. Shout out to everyone that worked at Baltimore Center Stage during my time there because you’ve definitely unlocked my creativity and gave me the confidence to do what I do today.

Stay updated with JaiBee, her work and sneaker game via IG @Worldof_JaiB and Twitter @JaiBee_World