She was one of our guest choreographers every year and always was the most encouraging, fun, and upbeat person. I’ve known director Stephanie DiBiase for years. It was truly some of the most amazing years of my life and that’s what later would bring me to the Dallas Mavericks. I cheered for DCC for six years and served as one of the captains for two years. But low and behold, I did and by God’s grace I made the team my first try. I was so young and I truly don’t even understand how I had that much confidence to do something so big at such a young age. A few of the girls approached me and encouraged me to audition when I turned 18, so I took that and ran with it! In April of 2012, my mom and I jumped on a 12-hour flight to Dallas to audition for DCC. The DCC threw a cheer clinic for my high school and that’s when I met the girls face to face. I knew at that moment that I wanted to pursue professional dancing. They put on this huge glamorous show for the troops and their families during Christmas and I was blown away. I cheered at Seoul American High School and during my time there I had the chance to meet the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders on their annual USO tour to visit the troops. It humbles you as a human being and makes you see the world more colorfully. Living in and embracing an entirely different culture opened my eyes up to so much. It was the most amazing experience of my life and it truly changed the trajectory of where I thought I’d be. When I was a junior in high school my step dad joined the Army and we were stationed overseas in South Korea for my last two years of high school. I played baseball, softball, gymnastics, ice skating and cheerleading. I’ve always been heavily involved in sports. We were always trying to be better than the other at everything from board games to sports. I have two older brothers who I’m very close with. My Dad danced on Solid Gold, Breakin’ 1 & 2, Soul Train, and was one of two guys to teach and sell the Moonwalk to Michael Jackson. My mom was signed with Sony Epic before having my oldest brother and decided being a mom was what she was meant to do. My Parents were both entertainers so it has always been in my blood to entertain. Jackson: I grew up in La Habra, California. : Hi Jenna! Before we talk about Black History Month, can you share more about your life with our fans? Where did you grow up? | South KoreaĬAREER:Full-time Realtor but also does hair and makeup for weddings and events caught up with Jackson to learn more about her life and journey to the Mavs… Jackson said her life experiences ultimately made her stronger and now she’s on a mission to help the next generation embrace their full identity without shame. I always pushed to be the best at whatever it was just to prove myself to both sides of my race.” We were so welcoming to any and everyone, but out in the world it wasn’t the same. It always confused me growing up because I knew how my family was. “You’re not fully accepted in the white community and not fully accepted in the black community. “Being biracial you’d think that everyone is so accepting and welcoming but it’s actually quite the opposite,” Jackson said. Her father is Black and her mother is Puerto Rican and Norwegian. Jackson says she’s proud of her biracial and diverse background. Prior to then, she was a multi-sport athlete and competed in numerous sports and activities throughout her life. She said those two years changed the trajectory of her entire life. Jackson grew up in a military family and lived in South Korea the final two years of high school where she continued to cheer and dance. Meanwhile, her father was one of two guys to teach and sell the Moonwalk to Michael Jackson. She grew up as the daughter of two entertainers and her mom was signed with Sony Epic. Performance has always been in Jackson’s DNA. She’s a professional dance veteran after spending six years in the NFL, including two years as a team captain. Jenna Jackson is making her NBA debut this season with the Dallas Mavericks D-Town Crew. We also continue to shine the spotlight on a new era of young Black men and women trailblazing a path for future generations to follow. This month and in the future, the Mavs will continue to elevate the experiences and perspectives of Black players, coaches, employees, entertainers and fans through various activations and community events. The Dallas Mavericks join other NBA teams around the country this February 2022 to celebrate Black History Month and support the ongoing pursuit of racial justice, equality, equity and inclusion in the workplace and community.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |