From CCRI Records to Texas Business

The Relentless Drive of Jasmine A. Jennings '06

For Jasmine A. Jennings, the path to greatness didn't begin on a national stage, but on the tracks of Warwick and the grounds of the Community College of Rhode Island. Today, she is a trailblazing athlete and a flourishing entrepreneur, but she traces the blueprint of her success back to her years as a Knight.

Between 2004 and 2006, Jennings wasn't just a student-athlete; she was a force. A two-time NJCAA All-American, she dominated field events, setting records that still stand at CCRI today. She credits the college's faculty and coaches for fostering an environment where growth was the only option. That discipline was evident early on — she even made the strategic choice to redshirt her second year, a move that prioritized long-term eligibility and future achievement over immediate gratification.

That foresight paid off. After transferring to the University of Rhode Island, Jennings made history as the first-ever All-American in the women's track and field program. Her legacy was officially etched in stone in March 2025, when she was inducted into the URI Athletic Hall of Fame.

Now based in Brenham, Texas, Jennings has traded the shot put for a steering wheel and a vision. As the owner of Arnaz BBQ Seafood & More, a thriving food trailer, and the co-founder of the apparel brand I Wo Shi, she applies the same resilience that made her a champion to the world of business. For Jennings, the lessons learned at CCRI — discipline, grit, and the power of a strong foundation — remain the secret ingredients to her ever-evolving success story.