We recently connected with Jasmine Thompson and have shared our conversation below.
Jasmine , thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
Resilience, for me, is not just a trait—it’s a lifeline. It is woven into the fabric of my existence, shaped by the challenges I have faced and the purpose I have embraced.
Being the first in my maternal lineage to break cycles of struggle, I grew up in an impoverished inner-city community where opportunities felt scarce. But I refused to let my circumstances define me. I knew I wanted more—not just for myself, but for the generations that would follow. Every trial and tribulation along the way only strengthened my resolve. I carry an unshakable belief that I was placed on this earth to break generational curses and create opportunities—not just for my family today, but for those who will come after me.
Now, with a decade of motherhood behind me, I can say with certainty that my greatest source of resilience comes from raising two Black boys. Motherhood has completely transformed me—reshaping my priorities, strengthening my spirit, and deepening my purpose. Every single day, I navigate the weight of single parenthood, knowing that my sons are not just relying on me for their basic needs but for guidance, protection, and a vision of what is possible. Being a single mother requires a level of resilience that cannot be taught—it must be lived, felt, and fought for.
Finally, my resilience is deeply rooted in my faith. It is the anchor that steadies me in moments of uncertainty, the light that leads me through my darkest days. When I feel overwhelmed, it is my faith that reminds me that I am walking a path already laid out for me—one filled with purpose, strength, and divine promise.
Resilience is not about never falling—it’s about rising, again and again, with even more determination than before. And that is exactly what I intend to keep doing.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am an ABA practitioner providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy within both school and home settings. My work focuses on supporting neurodivergent individuals by fostering independence, building life skills, and ensuring access to compassionate, ethical, and culturally competent care.
While in graduate school, I co-created the ABA Student Summit alongside my mentor—a space designed for graduate students pursuing their BCBA certification. This summit includes monthly mental health check-ins and discussions led by seasoned BCBAs on essential topics, ensuring that the next generation of behavior analysts is well-equipped to be ethical, compassionate, and culturally responsive professionals.
I am now at the final stage of my graduate studies and will soon be sitting for my BCBA certification exam. Upon passing, I will be launching my private practice, with a strong emphasis on serving inner-city communities. This practice will offer ABA therapy, parent training, and community-based life skills programs tailored for neurodivergent individuals and their families.
In addition to my work in ABA, I have developed a deep passion for IEP advocacy—a journey that became personal after navigating the IEP process for my own child. Over the past few years, I have dedicated myself to helping families understand and advocate effectively for their children’s educational rights. In late 2025, I will be launching virtual and in-person IEP advocacy services, including group meetings and individual case consultations, to empower parents in securing the support their children deserve.
Beyond my professional work, I also utilize social media to educate and inspire. Through my platform, I share insights on IEPs, teach essential life skills for children, and provide an authentic look into my journey as a single mother balancing career, advocacy, and entrepreneurship. In just the past year, my social media has grown to over 25,000 followers, with a monthly reach exceeding 4 million accounts—transforming into its own thriving brand.
With all these endeavors, my mission remains clear: to create meaningful change, provide accessible resources, and ensure that every child and family—regardless of background—has the support they need to thrive.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are resilience, advocacy, and adaptability. These traits have shaped not only my career in ABA and IEP advocacy but also my ability to balance motherhood, entrepreneurship, and social impact.
1. Resilience
Resilience has been my foundation—navigating grad school, raising two Black boys as a single mother, and breaking generational cycles all required unwavering perseverance. Challenges are inevitable, but how you respond to them defines your path.
Advice: Learn to embrace setbacks as learning opportunities. Surround yourself with a strong support system, whether it’s mentors, like-minded peers, or online communities that uplift you. Develop a mindset where obstacles fuel your determination rather than deter you.
2. Advocacy
Advocacy—whether for myself, my children, or the families I support—has been instrumental in my growth. Learning the power of using my voice to navigate the IEP system, ensure equitable access to ABA services, and uplift underrepresented communities has fueled my purpose.
Advice: Educate yourself relentlessly. If you’re stepping into advocacy, start by researching, listening to experiences of those impacted, and actively engaging in conversations that push for change. Whether it’s advocating for a child’s education, disability rights, or cultural competence in ABA, find your voice and use it with confidence.
3. Adaptability
From pivoting between roles as an ABA practitioner, grad student, entrepreneur, and social media educator, adaptability has been crucial. The ability to shift, learn, and grow with changing circumstances has kept me moving forward.
Advice: Be open to change. The journey you envision may evolve, and that’s okay. Build a skill set that allows you to navigate different spaces—whether that’s through continuous learning, networking, or stepping outside your comfort zone to explore new opportunities.
For anyone early in their journey, my biggest advice is to stay committed to your purpose, be patient with your progress, and never be afraid to take up space. Growth is uncomfortable, but it’s also where you find the most strength. Keep pushing forward—you are capable of more than you know.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
The most impactful thing my mother did for me as a single parent was sacrifice her dreams so that my brother and I could have a better future.
Raising us alone with limited resources, she poured everything into ensuring we never went without, often putting our needs ahead of her own aspirations. She worked tirelessly in public education, dedicating long hours to provide for us, all while balancing the challenges of single parenthood. At the time, opportunities like online education didn’t exist, making it nearly impossible for her to pursue higher education while being physically present for us. Yet, she made the impossible possible—always finding a way to make sure we had what we needed, from school resources to extracurricular activities, and even prioritizing our mental well-being despite the challenges.
Looking back, I don’t know how she did it with a fraction of the resources I have now. But I do know that her resilience and selflessness shaped me into the person I am today. Because of her sacrifices, I am breaking generational cycles, pursuing my graduate degree, and building a future where financial freedom is possible—not just for myself, but for future generations.
I dedicate my grad school journey to her because while I am the one taking these steps, none of it would be possible without her sacrifices. Her name and her legacy will live on through every success that follows. She ensured that we didn’t just survive—she made it possible for us to thrive.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @lifewith_jayt & @aba_studentsummit
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasmine-thompson-jlt/
Image Credits
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