STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Jasmine Ray, 41, says she was searching for the meaning of “life, leadership and love” when she put pen to paper in 2020 during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“I was in a very confused place,” said Ray, who lived in Stapleton for more than 30 years.

During those years, she overcame adversity, heartbreak and loss. The latter left a lasting mark on her life, and formulated her career and who she is today.

Ray embarked on a journey into the world of sports after her brother, Jonethan Ray, a well-known Staten Island athlete, died in a car accident at age 16 in 2009.

“When my brother passed away, there were over 4,000 people at his funeral... it was a big deal,” she said, noting she “unpacks the incident and how it impacted her life in her newly released book.

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