Meet Jasmine Ayers of Quietstormcafe

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmine Ayers.

Jasmine, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Well, my story starts as me growing up as an only child up until the age of thirteen years old. My brother, which is now fifteen years old, lives with our mother and his dad.

Growing up, because my parents were not married nor together, me and my mom found ourselves moving quite a bit from Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. I settled in Woodville, Ms to complete middle school and my high school years. Then I went on to college. The Jackson State University. This is where it continues and gets bigger! Because of the moving, for me, it caused me to be unstable in most ways, distant in certain relationships, inconsistent, angry, sad, and depressed.

My childhood was not bad, but I went through a ton of mental battles. Pretty much my whole life. I am still battling. Me and my mother did not have that mother-daughter relationship, so most things I’ve learned were from friends, books, TV, and experience. I only dated women, and I became so great at it that it became a game to me. As in me watching how my father treated women and how he had a different chic every summer, I came to see him.

As a child you unconsciously pick up on things unaware that those are seeds being planted in your fertile mind. I’ve had fights with my mom verbally and physically, but my dad (lol) this guy has the gift of gab. He can talk up a flawless game and not do anything after that. Manipulation, deception, deceit, lies, emotional and psychological and physiological play was his thing. I found that out early in life but gave him the benefit of the doubt.

In college, the women I dated were bisexual, lesbians, and most of all straight women. I turned girls out for the fun of it. Not cool. In 2009, I tried out for Outspoken Poetry Society because I saw that all of my friends were outspoken and confident and artistic so I said that I wanted to join too. I tried out 200 falls got dismissed and came back in 2010, and since then I have published two poems in Jackson in the Black Magnolia Magazine. Currently editing my book. Okay, everything that I am saying is vital.

I dated a young lady by the name of Danielle and smh wow literally I was going to marry this girl, but God interjected. Spiritual growth was something I was attracted to, and she had it. So I initially wanted to learn about that, but it did not happen like I thought or what we thought. By that, being one of the topics of our conversation because she was growing spiritually and I was not she left me and did not talk to me for about two to three years. No notice or anything. It was detrimental for me. I wasn’t the same.

I turned to drugs and alcohol abuse for coping and sexual relations. Through all of that, I had this friend who worked in my dorm and who I would consistently hit on, never gave in to me nor did she allow me to stay where I was. She would always speak the word over me and really try to help me. NOT RELIGION but a relationship. I attended this bible study group with, out of all cultures, I was around the Indian culture a lot. They are Christians and really nurtured me with what I needed and not condemn me because of who I was.

Alexyis asked before I graduated if I was serious about my life to meet her in her room for a bible study. Just me and her. She left her door cracked and waited to see if I would show up. Well, because of the road I was going down I knew I need someone greater than me to help me. I went. She watered the seed Danielle planted. Also, in the middle of all this chaos, I am an Industrial Technology and Physical Education major. I was teaching structured physical activity to a group of K-5th graders every day.

I was teaching and I was slanging coffee for Organogold. A health and wellness organic coffee, which is delicious, company. Network marketing. After graduation in 2014 Spring, I moved back to Houston. This is the year I was published. I stayed with my father and his parents, that was not so great, but I was thankful. I joined The Lighthouse Church in 2015 and truly began my walk with Christ. Yes, I am still doing poetry after being silenced for several months from my environment.

My dad underhandedly quit OG (organogold) without telling me, and it was one day before we were going to an event. I still went. While having mental breakdowns and constant battles of depression and feeling of neglect. I thought about me strongly as a poet and what I wanted to know now that I have a voice. my Poet name is Quietstorm because I spoke so softly but when I spit my pieces… it was a totally different person. Cold Blooded.

I joined to help me speak louder and more confidently. So in 2016, I became an associate teacher In HoustonISD, which I loved. I could still travel and do what I love at the same time with no confinement to one class. It was great. I would go to open mics and shows and such and share myself. You know it was hilarious because though I was not known in Houston, people thought I was a new poet but I am a true poet. True to this not new to this. However, I did have to rebuild myself from when I lost me.

In 2016, birthed Quietstormcafe just talking out loud about my business. 2018 in June I registered my name and made it official. Back in OG, I learned tons of lessons about business and having a vision. I came up with this: My definite purpose is to impact the lives of women, men, and children, locally and globally, through my poetry words and presence. Not realizing that this what I am currently doing. I am a Special Education teacher who works with children with Autism.

This is a new school I am at because my program was moved, but I was able to have a Poetry Club on this campus. Mostly Latino or Spanish as the first language. My poetry club was not for poetry it was to allow kids to see a way to release their emotions. It was for kids to learn how to use writing as a tool of expression rather than self-destruction or any other harmful things they may do. I did not have that growing up, I learned in college and after that poetry was more than just what I thought of it as.

It is my gift that God has given me to share with the world and to heal the brokenness in children so they won’t be broken adults and continue the generation cycle of bitterness, fear, lack, and all other self-inflecting things. I am here to touch move and inspire women men and children through my poetry words and presence. As far as me being a lesbian, I fall short daily, but I know who my Savior is and is not ashamed to tell it on the mountain. I think that was enough! Whew! lol, Hope it was enough. I really tried to condense.

Also, today I am seeking a counselor or professional help with suicidal thoughts and depression and anger. Also, I am working on creating a curriculum for workshops so that I can have them in multiple locations at the schools so that more kids can benefit in learning how to express themselves.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Not at all. Very discouraging. Lol, every day. One of the main ones is thinking that I am not good enough. Like who am I to have the audacity to teach these kids while I am still going through my process. I still today right now question myself.

Another challenge was family not supporting me and realizing that God created everyone unique and we all have different gifts and are at different stages in our lives. I compared myself so much and had become so accustomed because that is what I allowed people to do and I accepted that as my truth.

Nothing we are given is ever easy in my eyes. It is all about perspective how you view it. Though I have fallen into traps of negative self-talk, I still find it amazing that with a shift of thought we can pick ourselves back up.

Quietstormcafe – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Quietstormcafe is a platform where I have entities of business or service that I am providing. I specialize in whatever God tells me to do at that time. I created an Endowment program for students with special needs back in 2010. That is an entity. I traded in the Foreign Exchange industry (FOREX), that is an entity. Well, more of a business entity which covers that whole aspect.

I am known for my poetry, but in education, I am known as the Special Education teacher who really cares and goes lengths for her students. I am an engineer as well. Done lots with that part of my life!!!! YEAH! 🙂 I teach 3rd through 5th graders, every summer with the National Society of Black Engineers, how to build non-battery powered toys for toy production, all over the country, while using the engineering design process. Needless to say, STEM is definitely apart of my tree!

I am most proud that I actually am seeing the results of what has been brewing for so long. I am proud that I took the time to create it and start it. What sets me apart from others is my business goes everywhere I go. Quietstormcafe, I am a walking cafe and one-stop shop for education, business, and connections. My authenticity and willingness to learn.

“How you do anything is how you do everything” That is how I live my life. Principle led.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is a moving target. Yes, I have accomplished a few goals, but once I have completed my mission here on Earth, then I will count that as a success.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.quietstormcafe.com
• Email: quietstormcafe@outlook.com
• Instagram: 2uietstorm Ayers
• Facebook: Jasmine Ayers

Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.