In a legal landscape where personal identity and professional life are often kept separate, Attorney Jasmine A. Robinson is forging a path where the two are inextricably linked. A rising figure in Atlanta’s legal and social circles, her journey didn’t begin in a lecture hall—but on a sunlit campus along Virginia’s coast, where a new vision of Black excellence came into focus.

Growing up on the Southside of Richmond, Robinson navigated a world with familiar boundaries. But that changed when she first visited Hampton University, her “Home by the Sea.” The striking waterfront campus and the presence of successful, stylish Black students presented a new narrative. “I saw Black folks I had never seen before,” she told OffTheYard.Net, describing a level of cultural affluence that felt both aspirational and deeply rooted. It wasn’t intimidating—it was galvanizing. “I felt like I was, like, okay, I need parts of that,” she said. “There’s obviously something out here that I haven’t gotten in Richmond.”

Growing up on the Southside of Richmond, Robinson navigated a world with familiar boundaries. But that changed when she first visited Hampton University, her “Home by the Sea.” The striking waterfront campus and the presence of successful, stylish Black students presented a new narrative. “I saw Black folks I had never seen before,” she told OffTheYard.Net, describing a level of cultural affluence that felt both aspirational and deeply rooted. It wasn’t intimidating—it was galvanizing. “I felt like I was, like, okay, I need parts of that,” she said. “There’s obviously something out here that I haven’t gotten in Richmond.”

From that moment on, she knew she belonged.

From that moment on, she knew she belonged.

Unlike most pre-law students who lean toward political science, Robinson chose sociology—driven by a desire to understand how people and systems function. “Sociology is the study of groups of people, families, etc.,” she explained, calling it the perfect foundation for a legal career. Initially drawn to family law, she credits her coursework with preparing her to navigate people’s lives with nuance and compassion.

Unlike most pre-law students who lean toward political science, Robinson chose sociology—driven by a desire to understand how people and systems function. “Sociology is the study of groups of people, families, etc.,” she explained, calling it the perfect foundation for a legal career. Initially drawn to family law, she credits her coursework with preparing her to navigate people’s lives with nuance and compassion.

Her education extended far beyond academics. As senior class president and student leader, she absorbed Hampton’s culture of etiquette and excellence. From knowing which fork to use at formal dinners to understanding that being early is being on time, she says these lessons still serve her. “I really feel like Hampton set us up for success in how we present ourselves,” she said. Years later, she still receives compliments on her poise and professionalism—qualities she attributes to that foundation.

Her education extended far beyond academics. As senior class president and student leader, she absorbed Hampton’s culture of etiquette and excellence. From knowing which fork to use at formal dinners to understanding that being early is being on time, she says these lessons still serve her. “I really feel like Hampton set us up for success in how we present ourselves,” she said. Years later, she still receives compliments on her poise and professionalism—qualities she attributes to that foundation.

A defining piece of her Hampton experience was joining Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Gamma Theta chapter. Her connection to AKA began in high school, when she received a scholarship from the sorority. Many of her teachers were also members. “They were planting so many seeds,” she recalled. Once in college, the sorority became her support system—challenging and uplifting her. “I felt like AKA required me to step it up a bit, to do more.”

A defining piece of her Hampton experience was joining Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Gamma Theta chapter. Her connection to AKA began in high school, when she received a scholarship from the sorority. Many of her teachers were also members. “They were planting so many seeds,” she recalled. Once in college, the sorority became her support system—challenging and uplifting her. “I felt like AKA required me to step it up a bit, to do more.”

The values of purpose, professionalism, and community became the bedrock of her legal journey. After earning her law degree, she established a solo practice in Atlanta and focused on serving a community close to her heart: the Black LGBTQ+ community, of which she’s proudly a part.

The values of purpose, professionalism, and community became the bedrock of her legal journey. After earning her law degree, she established a solo practice in Atlanta and focused on serving a community close to her heart: the Black LGBTQ+ community, of which she’s proudly a part.

Her most significant legal milestone? Saving the Atlanta Black Pride Weekend trademark.

Her most significant legal milestone? Saving the Atlanta Black Pride Weekend trademark.

When the organization faced a legal challenge, Robinson—then a solo practitioner—took on a large law firm and won. The case not only protected the organization’s legal rights but also elevated Robinson’s profile. Today, she serves as general counsel for Atlanta Black Pride Weekend.

When the organization faced a legal challenge, Robinson—then a solo practitioner—took on a large law firm and won. The case not only protected the organization’s legal rights but also elevated Robinson’s profile. Today, she serves as general counsel for Atlanta Black Pride Weekend.

To her, the win was about more than legal rights. It was about preserving safe spaces. “The struggles and the problems and our goals and our perspectives are different,” she said, speaking to the gaps mainstream Pride events often leave unaddressed. In her practice, her identity isn’t hidden—it’s an asset. “You don’t always hear about lawyers so confident in their sexuality,” she said. But by being authentically herself, she creates space where clients feel seen.

To her, the win was about more than legal rights. It was about preserving safe spaces. “The struggles and the problems and our goals and our perspectives are different,” she said, speaking to the gaps mainstream Pride events often leave unaddressed. In her practice, her identity isn’t hidden—it’s an asset. “You don’t always hear about lawyers so confident in their sexuality,” she said. But by being authentically herself, she creates space where clients feel seen.

“Provision happens when you are truly chasing your purpose,” she says. For Attorney Jasmine A. Robinson, that purpose is crystal clear—and it’s opening doors for others, too.

“Provision happens when you are truly chasing your purpose,” she says. For Attorney Jasmine A. Robinson, that purpose is crystal clear—and it’s opening doors for others, too.

In 2021, the state of Alabama legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes only. While the recreational use of cannabis is still illegal in the state, it still has yet to stop schools like Jacksonville State University from putting in place cannabis education programs. More recently, Alabama State University followed suit and made history as the first HBCU to offer courses that will grant certifications in cannabis practice, cultivation, and development.

ASU gives you three specializations to choose from: Cannabis Cultivation, Cannabis Retail, and Cannabis Extraction & Product Development. Each program is a 9-week online course that promises to provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to be a cannabis professional. Ranging from online lecture videos to learning modules, the program ensures that students have all the resources they need to be successful. Upon completion, students will receive their certificate, a digital credential that can be shared on job sites like Linkedin, exclusive access to job openings, and the possibility of expanding your network of other cannabis professionals. The implementation of ASU’s programs is in partnership with a cannabis training and education platform called Green Flower. Based out of Ventura, California, Green Flower provides their services to business and individuals and are extremely passionate about cannabis education. They have partnerships with over 60 colleges and universities in the United States and hope to continue to partner with more in the future. The CEO and Co-Founder, Max Simon expressed his excitement for the partnership with ASU by stating, “The Alabama medical cannabis industry is just about to get started, so there will be jobs in cultivation, retail, and medical applications.”

ASU gives you three specializations to choose from: Cannabis Cultivation, Cannabis Retail, and Cannabis Extraction & Product Development. Each program is a 9-week online course that promises to provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to be a cannabis professional. Ranging from online lecture videos to learning modules, the program ensures that students have all the resources they need to be successful. Upon completion, students will receive their certificate, a digital credential that can be shared on job sites like Linkedin, exclusive access to job openings, and the possibility of expanding your network of other cannabis professionals. The implementation of ASU’s programs is in partnership with a cannabis training and education platform called Green Flower. Based out of Ventura, California, Green Flower provides their services to business and individuals and are extremely passionate about cannabis education. They have partnerships with over 60 colleges and universities in the United States and hope to continue to partner with more in the future. The CEO and Co-Founder, Max Simon expressed his excitement for the partnership with ASU by stating, “The Alabama medical cannabis industry is just about to get started, so there will be jobs in cultivation, retail, and medical applications.”

How is this possible if the state hasn’t legalized marijuana? Fortunately, the law has nothing to do with it. The program is training students for entry level positions, and cannabis education is not a crime. For Alabama State University, it’s more than just offering another program. It’s about giving access to education in a field that is very profitable, despite the negative stereotype. In fact, the National Cannabis Industry Salaries in 2023 ranged from $40k to $70k for entry-level positions, depending on the area of focus. 

How is this possible if the state hasn’t legalized marijuana? Fortunately, the law has nothing to do with it. The program is training students for entry level positions, and cannabis education is not a crime. For Alabama State University, it’s more than just offering another program. It’s about giving access to education in a field that is very profitable, despite the negative stereotype. In fact, the National Cannabis Industry Salaries in 2023 ranged from $40k to $70k for entry-level positions, depending on the area of focus. 

With this program in place, hopefully we see more HBCUs follow suit as the recreational use of marijuana starts to become legal in more of our states. There’s no doubt that the law behind cannabis has done more harm than good to our communities. According to the Marijuana Policy Project, Black people have been disproportionately affected by cannabis laws in both criminal justice and economic terms. They are more likely to be jailed and have the charge on their criminal record forever, resulting in the denial of housing, employment. etc. As proper education of cannabis continues to rise, states will have no choice but to adjust and adapt new laws to fit the growing demand for legal cannabis use and job market. 
The program is available to anyone over the age of 21. You can find more information about the program here.

With this program in place, hopefully we see more HBCUs follow suit as the recreational use of marijuana starts to become legal in more of our states. There’s no doubt that the law behind cannabis has done more harm than good to our communities. According to the Marijuana Policy Project, Black people have been disproportionately affected by cannabis laws in both criminal justice and economic terms. They are more likely to be jailed and have the charge on their criminal record forever, resulting in the denial of housing, employment. etc. As proper education of cannabis continues to rise, states will have no choice but to adjust and adapt new laws to fit the growing demand for legal cannabis use and job market. 
The program is available to anyone over the age of 21. You can find more information about the program here.