something like a bio: (how i got here )

At 32, Kenji Jasper can boast of a 19-year career in writing and journalism, which began when he published his first article as an intern for The Washington Informer newspaper at the age of 13.   At 14, he became a contributor to Black Entertainment Television's YSB Magazine, and later worked as a writer/instructor at The Institute for the Preservation and Study of African American Writing.   He also served as an on-air personality for WTTG Fox 5's Newsbag (1986-1987), and later as one of the founding cast members of Black Entertainment Television's Teen Summit (1989-1993). By the time he graduated from Morehouse College in 1997, his journalism had appeared in VIBE, Essence, The Village Voice, Upscale, The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union Tribune, and The Atlanta Tribune .   

But creative writing has always been his true love. He penned his first novel, Dark , at the age of 21. It has since been released in the United Kingdom and translated into French. It was later optioned to be made into a film by State Street Pictures (Soul Food, Barbershop, Roll Bounce) and Fox Searchlight Pictures.

His second novel, Dakota Grand, was published in September of 2002 and met praise from Publishers Weekly, VIBE, Essence, The Chicago Sun-Times and Africana.com among many others. His third novel, Seeking Salamanca Mitchell , was published in July 2004 and his most recent work of fiction, Snow, was published by VIBE Books in 2007.