Emtiaz Youssif-Benford: The Beauty of Purpose
October 16, 2025
Jasmyn Blackburn carries a light that is impossible to overlook. She is a rare blend of athlete’s strength, a teacher’s gentleness, and the charisma of a woman who inspires by simply being herself. For Jasmyn, confidence is not an abstract ideal but a living practice — rooted in kindness, joy, and authenticity. Whether she is on the runway, in the classroom, or on the court, she brings the same steady energy and warmth, reminding us that true beauty is not about perfection, but about presence. Her journey is a testament to how authenticity outshines standards, and how the simplest gestures — a smile, a kind word, a spark of encouragement — can transform everything around us.
What moment in your journey first made you realize that confidence could be taught — and not just felt?
I used to believe beauty meant fitting into a mold — being flawless, polished, and perfectly aligned with standards & expectations. It wasn’t until I discovered the true happiness that comes from leading with kindness that I realized true confidence doesn’t come from chasing perfection, but from embracing authenticity. That revelation became the heartbeat of Confidently Kind. I wanted young girls to uncover that light in themselves much earlier than I did. When I host my workshops, I watch magic happen: girls walk in shy and hesitant, and by the end they’re shining brighter, voices steady, eyes sparkling. Those transformations remind me that confidence is not an elusive feeling — that through embracing kindness & prioritizing happiness, becoming confident is a practice we can teach, nurture, and share every day.
When you step into a pageant, what is the ritual, big or small, that instantly makes you feel ready for the stage?
Just before I step into the spotlight, I repeat to myself: “You were made for this moment.” It’s a grounding ritual — my way to silence the nerves and step fully into presence. For me, pageantry and fashion are not simply about crowns or couture; they’re about honoring the little girl who once dreamed of moments to shine like these. Every stage — whether it’s the Miss Indiana runway, a fashion show, or simply the runway of life — is an invitation to be fully alive. When I walk out, it’s less about being seen, and more about celebrating the beauty of now; savoring the memories & exhilarating feeling that will outlast the gown itself.
Children see the world with pure wonder. Has there ever been a moment in your classroom that completely shifted how you view beauty or kindness?
Absolutely. My kindergartners remind me daily that beauty is never about appearances — it’s about the heart. To them, they see right through the superficial, and straight to the soul. The most beautiful person in the room is the one who gives the biggest hugs, says the most encouraging words, and greets them with the warmest smile. Their perspective is disarmingly simple yet profoundly true — I carry their wisdom with me even into the most glamorous settings. When I’m in full makeup, draped in a gown under the runway lights, I remind myself: the gown only shines if the person inside radiates the light. The innocently wondrous lens they see the world through keeps me grounded, reminding me that real beauty is not perfection, but compassion & kindness illuminated.
Fashion is often described as storytelling without words. If your wardrobe told your story right now, what chapter would we be reading?
You’d be reading the chapter of Spunky Fun. My style has become a joyful mix of boldness and whimsy — vintage pieces paired with playful accessories that feel like sunshine. One day it’s a ladybug set complete with matching earrings, the next it’s a sparkling flamingo sweater that sparks smiles; and I think you can never have too much pink or too many polka dots. My mantra right now is simple: if five-year-old me would have adored it, I’ll wear it. Modeling couture gowns on the runway this year was a dream realized, but I also want to show my students and community that fashion isn’t about rules or intimidation.
It’s about joy, imagination, and storytelling. True style isn’t following the latest trend — it’s wearing pieces that make you feel happy.
Coaching tennis and cheer means teaching rhythm, focus, and energy. Which of those qualities has most naturally carried over into your life off the court?
Energy. As a star athlete turned coach, I learned early on that my players rise higher when I show up as their loudest cheerleader. That contagious enthusiasm has become a defining part of who I am. Whether I’m leading kindergartners, coaching athletes, competing in Miss Indiana, or walking a runway, I believe a big smile and genuine energy can transform the atmosphere of any room. Fashion, classrooms, courts — they all come alive when you infuse them with light. Energy is the quality that lingers long after the moment ends, and I’ve made it my signature.
Every community has its hidden muses. Who in your small hometown has inspired you most — even in ways they might not realize?
For me, it will always be my first teachers. They planted the earliest seeds of confidence and kindness in me, long before I could name them. Returning to my hometown and teaching in the very same school where I once sat as a kindergartner was one of the most surreal experiences of my life. I even had the chance to teach alongside my own kindergarten teacher before she retired — a moment that felt like a gentle, beautiful passing of the torch. My early teachers left such a lasting impact on me that they inspired my lifelong career choice as a teacher, in hopes to shape and inspire our next generation as they did for me.
If you could gift one lesson from Confidently Kind to every young girl today, what would it be?
I would tell her this: stop chasing confidence as if it’s a prize waiting at the finish line. Instead, begin with kindness — especially toward yourself. Confidence blooms naturally from that soil. And remember, no one notices your “flaws” the way you do. What people carry with them is your light. True beauty is being unapologetically kind, radiating joy, and smiling until your cheeks ache. Even the way we compliment each other matters — I don’t just say, “Your dress is beautiful.” I say, “You look beautiful in that dress,” because it’s the person who brings it to life. That is the essence of Confidently Kind: your smile, your warmth, your authenticity are always the most dazzling accessories you can wear.