Jasmine Keyonia Murphy is a proud Mississippi native, born and raised in the Mississippi Delta. She was adopted in the 1990s by the loving Murphy family through Canopy Solutions. Her mother, Christine Murphy, has worked in the Radiology Department at Greenwood Leflore Hospital for over 30 years and has served as one of Jasmine’s greatest mentors, instilling in her a deep sense of care for her community. Her father, Isaac Murphy, worked in construction, rebuilding homes, cultivating farmland, and creating community programs for children, including zoo trips, library visits, and free tennis and swimming lessons throughout the Mississippi Delta—efforts for which he was recognized year after year. At the age of four, he even built Jasmine her very own library at home, sparking a lifelong passion for learning.
Within that library, Jasmine immersed herself in philosophy, physics, history, and fashion books that shaped the woman she would become. Although she was often misunderstood in school—at one point mistaken as mute by her teachers—her life took a transformative turn in middle school when her English teacher, Ms. Jamie Doak, encouraged her to enter the State of Mississippi Mystery Writing Contest. Out of more than 500 entries, Jasmine emerged as the winner, capturing statewide recognition and meeting celebrated author John Grisham, who assured her she was destined to be a writer.
Jasmine went on to attend Mississippi Valley State University, majoring in English with a Pre-Law focus and a minor in Criminal Justice. During her freshman year, after a stunning performance in a public debate, she was recruited to join the Mock Trial Team as the only freshman member. At her first competition in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, she made history by achieving a never-before-seen score of .20—an accomplishment she would continue to earn consistently throughout her four years. Jasmine also served as President of Pi Sigma Political Honor Society, joined the International Organization of Black Security Executives, became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and gained hands-on legal experience through internships at her local police department and Abraham & Associates Law Firm. She also volunteered for Pro Se and Expungement clinics in Mississippi and Tennessee. By her senior year, she was a double major in English and Pre-Law, with a minor in Criminal Justice, and actively involved in five organizations.
Despite her remarkable achievements, Jasmine initially chose not to pursue law school, instead earning her certification as a litigation paralegal at the University of Texas at El Paso. Over the past eight years, she has built a career in litigation support, working across Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Family Law, Workers’ Compensation, and Probate law. Additionally, she has served as an insurance agent and notary for five years.
Today, Jasmine continues to embrace her journey of growth and impact. Inspired by her roots and driven by her community spirit, she now aspires to attend law school and pursue her dream of becoming a congresswoman for her state. With a foundation built on resilience, service, and excellence, Jasmine Keyonia Murphy remains committed to uplifting others and leaving a legacy of leadership.
