A former D1 volleyball player with an M.S. in Sports Administration, Jess Jackson joined USRowing in 2022 as a DEI associate. She hasn't learned to row (yet), but swears by Orange Theory workouts which incorporate indoor rowing. She's honest about her first impressions of rowing as exclusive and white, proud of the steps USRowing is taking around diversity and equity, and hopeful that today's juniors are leading the way in inspiring change for the future of rowing.

We also talk in depth about USRowing’s RowCon2023, which is scheduled to take place two weeks after this episode launches.

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CATEGORIES: Coaching, Culture

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QUICK LOOK:

00:00 - Intro

02:00 - HOCR experience and thoughts on sync in the boat

03:45 - On a scale of 1-10, this week was an 8: travel, Orange Theory

05:14 - Growing up playing a variety of sports

08:00 - Title IX influence on all of us

11:15 - First impressions of rowing: exclusive and white

14:15 - Takeaways from HOCR

17:05 - Code switching, the challenges of overcoming the sport’s exclusive past, and today’s juniors leading the DEI charge

22:46 - Defining diversity, equity, and inclusion

25:08 - The DEI team at USRowing

28:08 - About the TruClusion survey developed to help USRowing formulate its strategic plan

30:40 - RowCon2023's wide variety of content, all with an inclusion lens

37:52 - How RowCon2023 attendees can take ownership of the event and network successfully

46:23 - bonus outtake

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To see photos of Jess, and get links to the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.

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This episode is made possible in part by  Breakwater Realty Group, Concept2, Live2Row, and our Patrons.