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Jennifer is a dancer. I knew this within five minutes of starting her photoshoot. Dancers usually stand out to me because they move effortlessly and are much more aware of their bodies. So of course she came and killed it! A few days later I was scrolling on my instagram timeline and came across a dance video and to my surprise it was Jennifer. I immediately sent her a DM and said “Girllllllll that’s you!” She killed the routine just as effortlessly as she did her photoshoot amongst so many other facets of her life. Keep reading to learn more about her.

Where is your hometown and how long have you been in the DC metro area?
Born and raised in Richmond, VA.

In DC area for 13 years

Are you a mother? If so, how old are your children?
Yes. I have a daughter who is 9.

Are you a business owner? If so, tell us what that business is and who it serves.
I have multiple businesses…

Versed Education Group (@versed_ed) is my racial equity consulting firm. I help organizations move toward more anti-racist and equitable practices and systems.

Colored Girls Liberation Lab (@coloredgirlslab) is an intergenerational healing, dreaming, and innovation lab for Black women. It seeks to help us dream bigger and build more liberated futures for ourselves and our communities.

VXN Dance Collective (@vxndance) and Heels with Jenn (@heelswithjenn) are my dance companies. VXN is truly a space to rediscover yourself through sensual dance. And Heels with Jenn provides fun experiences with dance classes for events and parties.

All about Self-Love

When do you feel the most beautiful?
I think I feel the most beautiful when I’ve just had a bath or long shower and I’m lotioned up and smelling good and in comfortable clothes with a fresh, clean face. There’s something about the beauty in being just me in a relaxed and peaceful state.

Do you have a self-care routine? If so, what is it?
I try my best to do things that bring me joy. I choose a word for each year and this year’s was “pleasure”. So during the pandemic I’ve rediscovered things that bring me pleasure, whether it’s a bubble bath with wine and my favorite show, a night in with friends,  or a facial. I think I’m learning my self-care has to be constant and integrated into my life in different ways. I still take intentional breaks for self-care after big projects, but I also find small ways every day to care for myself. Even if it’s taking a 20 min nap!

What does being Fiercely Feminine mean to you?
I think it means standing fully in your power. Sometimes we think we need to shrink ourselves to fit in spaces we think (or others have told us) are best for us. But if you can’t be fully you in a place is it really for you? I think feminity is power and when we choose to stand in it you really can’t stop us. That’s fierce. Amirite?

What is a goal you have been working on?
The big goal I’m working on now is launching my lab, Colored Girls Liberation Lab, this winter. It’s been a labor of love to design a place for Black women that feels safe enough to heal and brave enough to dream. I’ve been amazed at the way people have rallied in support and I can’t wait to officially share all the things we hope to do with the world.

What advice would you give to your younger self?
Girl, to chill out! There’s so much of my younger life I don’t remember fully because I was too anxious or striving for perfectionism to enjoy it. I’m still working on some of that, but I wish I’d learned not to be a people pleaser much sooner. I think people who really love you understand when you say no or choose a different path that’s best for you. So I’d tell her to chill out and choose what she thought was best for her.

Finish the statement – I am a woman who…
dreams that it’s possible for us to live amazingly free lives.