Why We Dance: Jessica Fowlkes

Eboard Spotlight: Jessica Fowlkes

Position: Analytics Coordinator

Why Jessica Dances: "I got involved with raiseRED my sophomore year after hearing so much about it around campus. I didn’t participate my freshman year, but after experiencing the marathon during my second year, I not only fell in love with raiseRED, I realized how deeply I connected with its mission and values. As a dancer, it became really important to me to encourage the people around me to sign up and experience the beauty of the marathon. I wanted them to see just how much of an impact raiseRED truly makes. That passion is what led me to join the leadership team as the Analytics Coordinator my senior year. I wanted to be even more involved and help contribute to the continued success of something that means so much to me.

I dance for sickle cell. Growing up, sickle cell was never something distant or unfamiliar to me. Two of my close friends lived with it, and I saw firsthand the pain and uncertainty they dealt with every day. Watching them go through those constant battles made me wish I could take that weight off their shoulders, even if just for a single day. Being part of raiseRED gives me a way to honor their strength and help support others who face the same fight."