Episode 116: Black Girls Run CEO Jay Ell Alexander on Community Building, Breaking Down Barriers, and Bringing Women Together

This week we're featuring Jay Ell Alexander, CEO of Black Girls Run. You can find more information and visit their website at https://blackgirlsrun.com/ Mission: Black Girls RUN! wants to encourage African-American women to make fitness and healthy living a priority. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 80% of African-American women are overweight. BGR! wants to create a movement to lower that percentage and subsequently, lower the number of women with chronic diseases associated with an unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle. *BRG has over 70 clubs and 200,000 members throughout the globe; joining BGR is free! Questions we ask Jay include: What inspired you to start running? We know you’ve run all distances of races from marathons to 5ks. How did you become involved with Black Girls Run? How did your involvement with the program grow? With the recent COVID pandemic, BGR has shifted some programming via online and social media platforms. How has this programming and the check-ins you’ve been doing helped to continue to foster community and conversation during difficult times? The role that the community plays for BGR is very evident. What are some challenges you/BGR has faced with such a large community and anything that has helped you get through them? All women are encouraged to join and support BGR, what is a vision you have for the future with BGR and other female running communities across the globe? Outside of BGR and running, what do you enjoy doing? We know you are a recent published author! What does being a Strong Runner Chick mean to you? How can others support BGR and/or become involved? (https://blackgirlsrun.com/pages/bgr-foundation)