Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jer-Lyn Benjamin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jer-Lyn, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

At the core of BenJamm’in Enterprise is its founder, a former professional dancer whose life took a turn when I was diagnosed with discoid lupus. This unexpected twist in my journey ignited a fire within me to explore the connection between nutrition, health, and movement.

Black women have the highest rates of health disparities among any other group in the U. S. Determined to make a difference, my passion and commitment are centered on working with women on their journeys to reach optimal health.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a dancer at heart. I’ve been dancing since age four. I became a professional dancer at 18 when I became an Atlanta Hawks Cheerleader, then transitioned into a career in the music industry that lasted 15 years. I’ve worked with legendary artists such as Whitney Houston, Will Smith, Mary J. Blige, TLC, Ciara, and more. I became a fitness enthusiast shortly after moving back to Atlanta from California. I noticed my weight began to fluctuate and dancing alone could no longer control it.

Currently, I’m a Certified ACSM Personal Trainer. I have degrees in Nutrition and Public Health. I offer services in choreography, artist development, creative directing, personal and/or group training, and nutrition consulting. I am proud to have built a community of women who are actively pursuing healthy lifestyle changes and holding each other accountable.

I want potential clients to know I take a personalized approach to each client, tailoring programs and recommendations to suit individual needs, preferences, and goals.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

The story that sticks with me the most happened when I was hired to perform in a music video for a well-known female R&B artist. We had been in rehearsals for a few days when her manager pulled me out of rehearsal to have a private conversation with me. He informed me I was being replaced with one of her friends, who was also of a darker complexion. He went on to explain that there could only be one dark-skinned dancer in the group, and the artist preferred her friend.

I knew colorism existed, but this was devastating and also embarrassing in the way it was being used against me. As a result, my anxiety increased, my self-esteem tanked, and I wanted to stop dancing altogether. Conversely, it also resulted in me seeking a deeper spiritual connection with God. I began reading and reciting affirmations daily and attending church weekly. I became stronger in my faith. I stepped back into the dance arena with more confidence that I belonged, and it didn’t matter that my skin is deeply melanated. I love the skin that I’m in. I now know that my black is beautiful. If it can’t be accepted and appreciated, I don’t belong in those spaces anyway.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I moved back to Atlanta from California in 2001 with the intention of opening my dance fitness studio. I secured funding for a 1.5 million dollar loan through the SBA to purchase a plot of land in Midtown and build my studio from the ground up. Everything was going according to the plan until I got a call one morning to turn on the local news channel, only to learn that the seller of the property I had the contract with had been murdered the night before. Shortly after that travesty, the Great Recession of 2008 occurred, leaving me without funding to complete the project. I was left with debt and no dance fitness studio. I disbanded the company, filed for bankruptcy, and enrolled at Georgia State University to complete the degree I started back in 1993.

I graduated with a B.S. in Nutrition in May of 2014. Four months later, I became a professor in the Health and Physical Education Department at Spelman College.

I am currently growing my health and wellness business by hosting various fitness classes, such as “Dance In the Park” throughout the city of Atlanta, as well as looking to partner with the city’s Office of Cultural Affairs to bring forth health and wellness initiatives for women and girls in underserved communities.

Contact Info:

• Website: In progress
• Instagram: JBenjamms
• Facebook: Jerri Benjamin
• Linkedin: Jer-Lyn Benjamin
• Twitter: [email protected]
• Youtube: jerribenjamin
• Yelp: [email protected]
• Soundcloud: [email protected]

Image Credits

Tony Jordan (cover photo, photo holding kettle bell, and photo with pavilion in background)