Bloomfield College Student Yasmeen Mitchell Featured in Poetry Anthology

Yasmeen Mitchell ’19 has been featured in New Jersey's Best Emerging Poets. Put out by Z Publishers, the anthology features 76 up-and-coming writers, including Mitchell and her poem “See Me.”

“Being included in this anthology is an honor,” expressed Mitchell, a Charlotte W. Newcombe Scholar who studies business and creative writing at the College. “I was surprised when they reached out to me, but I am grateful they did.”

Mitchell first arrived at Bloomfield College in 2009, but left after her third semester, and returned five years later. During her absence from the College, Mitchell battled severe depression.

“I started reading A Piece of Cake by Cupcake Brown, a book my grandmother had given me. She had such a hard life, nothing really like mine, but she ended up making her life something special. I was so inspired; I knew it was time to return to Bloomfield College.”

Today, her future plans include creating community spaces, businesses, and projects that provide people entrepreneurship and career opportunities, exposure for individual projects, and general resources for light, love, healing, information, and peace.

“I realized my story could change someone else’s life, even when they feel they have nothing to live for,” said Mitchell. “Without a doubt, bringing hope into dark and hopeless places has become my life's mission.”

Her published poem is special to her because it is consistent with that very mission. The piece encourages the realization of inner light, self-knowledge, and self-worth. It also speaks on the fact that even if one feels alone, they are never truly isolated. Mitchell uses social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube to help spread her message. Mitchell began writing for herself when she was seven years old.

“Bloomfield College has helped me achieve my goals by giving me purpose and direction each time I searched for it within the classrooms,” shared Mitchell. “The College has given me a chance to earn scholarship, create and read speeches, join a theater group, sing and act in front of an audience, attend a session at the Nuyorican, and connect with some of the most amazing people.”

You can read more about the anthology and purchase it here.