Today we’d like to introduce you to Yasmin Glinton.
Hi Yasmin, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I believe it all began for me in Literature class in high school. We were reading the book, Macbeth, by William Shakespeare and I was interested in the story, and the characters, reading collectively as a class, and hearing how other people responded to what was written. The entire experience of being in that classroom started me on my journey. I am a writer, teacher, actress, and creative. There are always two of the three careers unfolding at the same time. It is a full life but I do enjoy it.
After high school, I went to The College of The Bahamas and met up with an acting group. This allowed me to regularly perform in local plays. I had an amazing time with the actors. Some had been acting for years, and some were new to acting like I was. The Bahamian audience is unique. They are not a passive audience that laughed, groaned, fussed. That is where I got my first taste for theatre and I loved it. When I transferred to St. Thomas University in Canada, I took all the Creative Writing classes, ranging from poetry to script writing, I could and all the theatre classes I could. I don’t recall asking anyone what requirements I needed for a degree. I crafted what I wanted and made sure I took the requirements for me to complete the degree. While in Canada, I acted in numerous plays for a grade as well as with a local community group. I also collaborated with a group of writers to produce and perform the play “Henry Moon: Conducts and Mischiefs of the Lunar Rogue”.
I left Canada in 2011 and returned to The Bahamas with a bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Education. Months later I was thrust into my teaching career on The Abaco in The Bahamas. There, I would write plays for various assemblies. I also prepared students for the national arts festival among the high schools where they performed monologues, and dialogues, or sang individual pieces for judges that went about the country grading various students. I remained in The Abacos for five years before leaving to pursue my MA in Creative Writing. This pursuit led me to two firsts; a book of poetry and an opportunity to pair my written work with various artists. Under the guidance of Keisha Oliver, I was able to pull off my first art show. The sales from this show paid for my tuition fee and I was off to Goldsmith’s London to complete a MA in Creative Writing and Education.
After completing my degree in 2018, I returned to Nassau, The Bahamas, and completed a residency at The Current, an art gallery at the Bahamar Resort. This residency produced my second collection of poetry entitled ‘ At The Shore’. This limited-edition book was hand-crafted by Sonia Farmer, owner of Poinciana Paper Press. She also printed and bound the 100 copies which were bought exclusively by the resort for sale within the gallery. After completion of the residency, I returned to teaching at a public High School. I did not only return to teaching, but I also went back to the theatre. I was in a series of plays that occurred at The Dundas, the local theatre in Nassau. A few well-known plays I was able to have roles in were: ‘For Colored Girls, and ‘ The Odd Couple”.
Unfortunately, tragedy struck in 2019 when Hurricane Dorian hit The Bahamas and devastated The Abacos and Grand Bahama. This was an incredibly painful time for me as my family home and the lives of the people I’d known in The Abacos were uprooted. Many of my students were displaced. As a teacher, I wanted to ensure my students were safe so I began campaigning on their behalf. Eventually, in response to the devastation, I curated an art show called ‘A Burning for Home’. In the show, artists who were from The Abacos or who lived there were able to respond to the devastation of the Hurricane. The aftermath of Dorian was the inspiration of my third poetic collection ‘An Olive Branch’.
In 2020 COVID rocked most of the world and sent us into lockdowns all around the world. Teaching via the Internet was a challenge I highly enjoyed as it meant team teaching, which was not an experience I had previously but found highly enjoyable.
The following year, I self-published the first in a series I called ‘Yasology’. This book was a collection of morning texts sent to family and friends as they began their day. They were either words of encouragement, redirection, or affirmation. I’d been doing this for 12 years and finally decided to collect all the works into smaller books. Six unpublished parts remain in the series.
Fall of 2021, I found myself migrating to America with my husband who was pursuing his master’s degree. During our time in The U.S., I self-published a book called ‘How God Sees Me’. In 2022, I met Ian Cheney and was invited to read poetry in his documentary The Arc of Oblivion, a film put on by Sandbox Films and Wicked Delicate Films. My part in that film allowed me to travel the world with the crew. I was able to attend CPH: DOX 2023, to be a part of the intentional release of the film. I spoke about my work at screenings of the film in New York and Maine.
From 2018-2023, I also participated in The National Art Exhibitions 8, 9, and 10 at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas. In addition, other random things I do with my life are: ghostwriting, editing, creating digital content, handling social media accounts, mentoring young women, and acting as an accountability partner for various artists.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
For the artist, I think the greatest struggle has been doubting the relevance of my work. It must be the plight of the artist to wonder if what they are creating will be received by a larger audience. It often takes me a while to decide whether I will share or put myself or my work forward.
As a teacher, the hardest thing for me has been trying to ‘save’ my students. I witnessed a lot of human tragedy I had not been prepared for. At the time, I was not in therapy and I did not have a healthy way to deal with the guilt that can come with teaching. There is the wondering if your students are eating if they are safe physically, emotionally, and mentally. You wonder if they will have enough courage to step beyond the limits of their situations especially if they live in impoverished communities.
I think the hardest time in my career was the death of a student that I’d come to love as a son. The grief of that experience dampened my love for teaching. I didn’t want to show up for my students the way I had before because of the fear of losing them. It took a lot of writing, time away from the profession, and therapy to heal that wound.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My specialization is editing, organizing, and mentoring.
I am most proud of the young people in my life who are charting courses far beyond what they ever imagined possible. I am proud of the people I was able to help map out goals that they were able to accomplish.
What sets me apart from others is that as a teacher and a creative — I want people to reach their potential. I am very tenacious in encouraging people towards the goals they set. I love walking with people and watching them grow. I think that sets me apart from others.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
So many people deserve credit for who I am.
My aunt Patricia was my first teacher. The first memory I have is being with her in school walking in her footsteps. A large part of who I am is because of what I witnessed and continue to witness of her life.
The duo team of my Mother and Aunt Rosamunde has and still shapes me.
An example of the force that they are comes through memory: After finishing three years at the local college in The Bahamas, Aunt Rosie was adamant that I was going to get the opportunity to live abroad like all her other kids. She took me and her son to school fairs an made us apply to numerous schools together. Her determination was unmatched. I am grateful for her tenacity and for all the trips around the world that she allowed me to tag along for. When I was in school, my mother determined I needed a second more stable degree. If she hadn’t told me to get a degree in Education I would never have become a teacher. It is so much a part of my identity that I don’t know how I didn’t see it. But, that is the beauty of mothers. They see what we often cannot. I am grateful to her for her keen insight and for calling out to me with precision the future she saw.
My teachers from high school Mrs. Williams my Literature teacher and Mrs. Sophia Smith my drama teacher gave me my first role on stage. My lifelong mentors and friends Maeylnn Ford and Andrew Titus.
The Big Poet Writing Group consists of Maeylnn Ford, Sonia Farmer, Kevante Cash, Tanica Pratt, Letitia Pratt, and Nicolette Bethel.
My husband believes I can do far more than I give myself credit for, which is a beautiful challenge to have in a life partner. He is always pushing me to think beyond any limits I put on myself. He dances around to songs he makes up about me. It is a great boost of confidence and unwavering love and kindness.
I have an amazing family. I must mention my brother Christopher, my Aunts Patrica, Rosamunde and Eleanor, and all my cousins.
My former students who have become my children are a driving force. I am always reminded that someone is using the gauge of my curiosity and courage as their starting point.
My support system is a collective of women who pray for and with me without hesitation: Carolyn Roberts, Patrice Francis, Smith, Jodi Minnis, Bodine Johnson, Terah Davis, Amanda Ritchie-Robards, Sumia Jaama, and Charlisa Miller.
My friend circle is always willing to support and show up for me. I also have an amazing community at Legacy Church in The Bahamas who are always drawing out and on my talents.
I am blessed and extremely grateful to have the community I have.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yasminglinton.com/
- Instagram: @yasi.glint
Image Credits
For Colored Girls, The Dundas, Ian Cheney, New York Film Students, and Abaco Central High School
