Yazmin Monet Watkins reflects on her path from aspiring veterinarian to full-time poet, actor, and activist, while navigating her identity as a queer Black woman.
I first encountered Yazmin through her days at UCB, where she performed in the comedy troupe Obama’s Other Daughters. Their monthly shows in Hollywood were a breath of fresh air for me, a new Angeleno, yearning for Black spaces in Los Angeles. Yazmin’s energy on stage was magnetic—her humor blended with social commentary in a way that made every show feel like a celebration of Black womanhood.
Fast forward to 2024, and Yazmin’s one-woman show, A Vessel Born to Float, was just as impactful. She used a tub on stage to symbolize rest and play, giving the audience bubbles and asking, “Don’t we deserve rest?” She spoke to the exhaustion many Black women feel, constantly asked to be strong, but rarely given the space to simply rest. Yazmin’s ability to combine performance art with deep personal and political themes is what makes her work so unique.
From Veterinary Science to the Arts
Yazmin initially pursued veterinary science, even working internships and excelling in AP science classes. But her heart was always in the arts. During her time at Dickinson College as a Posse Scholar, she found herself in a predominantly white academic space, navigating her bisexuality and identity as a Black woman.
This experience, particularly a class on Black feminist thought, reshaped her trajectory. “I was a bio and chem kid, but when I took Black feminist thought, it changed everything,” she recalls. This pivotal time led to a shift from science to the arts, where she majored in American Studies with minors in Gender and Women’s Studies and Film.
Her senior thesis on Black women in the media was a direct response to the lack of representation.
I thought, if I want to see more of us in these spaces, I have to be part of the change.
Finding Her Voice in Poetry and Performance
Poetry became a powerful outlet for Yazmin. She wrote her first poem in eighth grade, but it wasn’t until college that she began performing publicly. “I shared my story at a diversity monologue event and afterward, people kept asking me to perform. That’s when I knew this was something bigger than me.”
Her work, deeply rooted in themes of race, class, sexuality, and identity, struck a chord with audiences. Touring as a poet allowed her to connect with communities across the country, where Black queer women in particular found their own stories reflected in her performances.
Comedy followed as another form of self-expression. Yazmin co-founded the all-Black women’s improv group Obama’s Other Daughters. Their hit show Black Girl Magic at UCB became a space for Black women to be celebrated unapologetically.
“We started the show because we wanted to highlight Black women in a way that was fun, honest, and celebratory,” she said. The group hosted notable Black women like Luenell, Bresha Webb, Zainab Johnson, and Brandie Denise. Yazmin cherished the opportunity to evoke joy through humor.
A Comedian and Actor on the Rise
In 2024, Yazmin took a bold step by performing stand-up for the first time. “It was terrifying,” she admits with a laugh. Despite years of performing poetry and improv, stand-up was a new challenge. Known for blending humor with thought-provoking narratives, her stand-up act, much like her other work, centered on the experiences of Black women.
Her acting career also gained momentum when she landed a role on Peacock’s Grand Crew. Yazmin had auditioned for the show multiple times before finally securing a part, and though the series was short-lived, it was a significant moment in her career. “It was an incredible experience, and I’m so grateful for it,” she reflects. Beyond Grand Crew, she has collaborated and co-created shows with Shondaland, Kevin Hart, and Netflix, continuing to expand her presence in the entertainment industry.
The Power of Rest and Joy: WACO One-Woman Show
One of Yazmin’s most personal and profound projects is her 2024 one-woman show, A Vessel Born to Float, performed at WACO Theater. The show explored deep themes such as grief, abortion, organizing, and celebrating Black women. Using a tub on stage as a symbol of rest and play, Yazmin asked, “Don’t we deserve rest?” while handing out bubbles to the audience.
It was a symbolic and intimate gesture, reminding Black women that they deserve rest and joy amidst life’s struggles. She emphasized how Black women, especially those involved in activism, are often expected to endure without reprieve.
Rest is revolutionary. We have to create spaces for Black women to breathe, to feel joy, to be at peace.
Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Liberation
Yazmin’s journey has not been without its difficulties. Financial struggles early in her career forced her to choose between a soul-crushing day job and pursuing her art full-time. “There were days when I lived off bean burritos from El Pollo Loco,” she laughs. But the sacrifices were worth it, as her career began to blossom.
The loss of both her parents in recent years was another devastating chapter. “Holding my parents’ hands as they transitioned was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” she shares. But even in the face of grief, Yazmin continues to find solace in her art, using it as a means of healing and connection.
Looking Ahead: A Vessel Born to Float
Yazmin’s upcoming book, A Vessel Born to Float, is a testament to her resilience and artistry. The collection of poems captures the breadth of her experiences, from joy and pain to rest and liberation.
This book is my heart. I want people to read it and feel seen.
A Vessel Born to Float was released on September 24, 2024. You can support Yazmin by purchasing it and sharing it with the Black queer women in your life—or anyone in need of words that heal and empower.
