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Raven Jemison

@ravenjemison

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5’4 with 5’10 energy 🙌🏾💪🏾
📕 More Than Representation

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“I think the fundraising message got lost in the post when you shared that you were cancer-free. You need a separate post - an attention grabber.”
- @biggbiggsdance to me when I said I wasn’t pleased with my fundraising efforts.

I need your attention.

On Sunday, October 11, I’m running the Chicago Marathon (@chimarathon). My first ever.

Not for a medal. Not for a PR. I’m running with the Breathe Team to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (@cf_foundation).

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease that affects the lungs, making breathing progressively harder, and the digestive system, impacting nutrient absorption.

My wife, April has CF and just celebrated the 22nd anniversary of her lung transplant on August 15. She is my inspiration today and always. The least I can do is run 26.2 miles and tell YOU why it matters.

There are 8 weeks left in my training.
April’s transplant anniversary month is in the 8th month of the year.
My favorite number is 8.

So over the next 8 weeks, I’m going to share the 8 life lessons that running and training has taught me.

THANK YOU to those who’ve donated and been on the journey with me so far.

THANK YOU in advance to those who are about to be a part of this with me.

Follow along. And if you feel compelled, give — link in bio.

Let’s get it.

#ChicagoMarathon #breatheteam #CFFoundation #RunningForACause by @ravenjemison

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2 months ago

@ravenjemison, President of the @kccurrent of the National Women’s Soccer League (@nwsl), is helping build one of the fastest-growing franchises in women’s sports.

But her impact extends beyond the pitch. Through her leadership and her book, she’s committed to helping more women navigate the sports industry and own their seat at the table.

As Jemison puts it: “Figure out the best way to communicate your value to your peers, leadership, and the organization.”

Subscribe to read more in this week’s FQ Newsletter. Link in bio! by @ravenjemison

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2 months ago

Your girl is CANCER FREE! 🙌🏾!

Thank you to EVERYONE who reached out this last year to wrap me in love, support and confidence that I would come out stronger than I’ve ever been.

Friendly reminder: GET YOUR MAMMOGRAMS

I have more news…🗣️🗣️🗣️

I’ll be running the 2026 @chimarathon in October. This past year further solidified my goal of leading my life ON PURPOSE and FOR PURPOSE. Right now, that means I have the privilege of representing the Breathe Team as we raise funds to end Cystic Fibrosis in support of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

There is no cure. It’s a genetic disease that attacks the lungs and vital organs, forcing a relentless, breath-by-breath fight against infections and organ failure.

My wife, April, is a walking miracle—a double-lung transplant recipient. She is my inspiration and a reminder of the brutal reality for thousands still waiting for their breakthrough.

I’m running for her, and for every person whose life hangs in the balance. We have come far, but the road ahead is still long and lined with struggle. We stand at the critical juncture between research and reality. Your donation fuels the groundbreaking science that will close that gap. Invest in the cure. End CF.

Join me in the fight and let’s go get this $10K bag! Link in my bio.

#breatheteam
#endcysticbrosis
#donatetoday by @ravenjemison

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8 months ago

Finish.

That’s the lesson. Nothing really more poetic than that. The beauty is in the curve of the journey, but the reward at the end is worth it.

Thank you @biggbiggsdance, @shimmymiller33 and @lisabyington for making the day even more amazing.

Thank you to everyone who donated to the Breathe Team and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. You made today possible.

Until next time… by @ravenjemison

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5 days ago

I wasn’t a runner. Then I became one. Because I needed to.

After my diagnosis, I was put on medication that forced me into menopause and extreme fatigue. I accepted that there would be weight gain because, well, that’s what happens when you get older.

I believed that for some reason.

Until I didn’t.

Lesson 3️⃣- I chose to ADAPT and EVOLVE because I refused to accept that I’m supposed to slow down because I’m older or I should just be grateful that I survived cancer. I’m taking back what it took from me.

Lesson 4️⃣- If I didn’t have a perfect run, it ruined my day and sometimes my week. But being consistent and showing up makes you better. I no longer seek perfection. I seek progress.

Lesson 5️⃣- I started doing the things I hate - like lifting weights. Not that I hate actually lifting weights. I was really fearful that I would look bulky and “swole”. Now, I realize growth is on the other side of the things we avoid doing.

Lesson 6️⃣- my family’s patience and support on the journey to completing my first marathon is a microcosm of the support they’ve shown throughout my entire life.

Lesson 7️⃣- I love running alone, but I never feel lonely. I’ve had some of my best ideas, cried some of my best tears, and overcome so much doubt on my runs.

None of these lessons are new; I just never knew that my running experience would teach them to me over and over.

Support me and the Breathe Team as we run the Chicago Marathon on October 11 and find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. Link in my bio.

#ChicagoMarathon #CFFoundation #changingthenarrative by @ravenjemison

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a month ago

discomfort: mental or physical uneasiness

The second lesson that running has taught me is to find comfort in the discomfort.

In my mind, when I’m running, I look like the elite runners I see on IG. In reality, I know that what everyone else sees is more like a combination of random herky jerky movements with a closer resemblance to Fred Sanford running (iykyk). I can thank my 2 herniated discs and 2 knees that are bone on bone for that. Not to mention the subsequent hip pain resulting from all of it. The physical “uneasiness” leads to a mental annoyance that I can’t move like I used to.

Running through this has taught me that the discomfort doesn’t go away with training. It doesn’t get easier the way people promise. You just get more familiar with it. You learn its shape. You stop being surprised when it shows up mid-run. Shout out to @drteals, @biofreeze and @kttape for getting me through it all.

Discomfort is the SIGNAL, not the problem. It’s what growth actually feels like while it’s happening — not after, in the recap, but in the moment, when your lungs are burning, your legs are fried and you still have four miles left. For those I’m running for — people living with cystic fibrosis — discomfort isn’t an 18-week training block. It’s daily. It’s breathing itself.

My discomfort has an end date. Let’s come together to fund the research necessary to make sure theirs does too.

THANK YOU to everyone that has donated and joined me on this journey. For those that haven’t, click the link in my bio.

#ChicagoMarathon #BreatheTeam #CFFoundation #EmbraceTheDiscomfort by @ravenjemison

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2 months ago

gratitude: the state of being grateful

The first lesson running gave me was to lean into gratitude.

Since I can remember, I’ve started and ended my day in a “state of being grateful”. It’s not always easy, but when I think of all I’ve been blessed to do and see, the small but powerful “THANK YOU” goes a long way even when the days don’t go as planned.

In December, after my second surgery, I couldn’t stand up straight, I couldn’t walk without pain, I couldn’t eat. My body looked like Frankenstein and Humpty Dumpty had a baby - like I was put together in a lab from my neck down to my hips. For months, I was living in a body with questionable capabilities. My daily practice of gratitude became more infrequent.

…until I got the green light to start walking on the treadmill in 15 min increments 4 times a day. It may seem small, but those 4 walks unlocked a joy that I didn’t know existed. A joy grounded in gratitude because I knew running was the next hurdle that I would conquer.

I’m grateful that I’ve been chosen to be a part of this fight alongside my inspiration @biggbiggsdance
I’m grateful that my lungs, legs and heart support my passion to keep running.
I’m grateful that running allows me to eat so many carbs, it’s almost unfair.
I’m grateful for the funding of science and research that led to an early detection of my breast cancer.

Lastly, I’m grateful for you. If you read this far down, I have your attention.

Support me and my Breathe Team members with a donation as we run the Chicago Marathon in support of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. We are relentlessly in pursuit of a cure to provide all people with CF the opportunity to lead long, fulfilling lives by funding research and drug development. Link in bio.

#chicagomarathon #breatheteam #cysticfibrosisfoundation💜 by @ravenjemison

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2 months ago

Sports…Am I right?

Rarely am I rendered speechless or surprised when I witness the power and unifying nature of sports. So blessed to continue to see it up close and personal, over and over. Wow.

Kansas City showed up and showed out!

#worldcup2026 #kc26 #netherlands by @ravenjemison

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4 months ago

Today marks my 8th Father’s Day without my Dad.

The timing worked out perfectly to run a 10K in his honor with @villageshalom hosting a Father’s Day Run with proceeds benefiting their memory support programs. I lost my dad to dementia.

If you know me and you knew him, I’m a female spinoff…just a little more social 😉. If you read my book (link in bio), you also know he taught me everything about showing up and working hard. So when I woke up this morning to thunderstorms, I instantly felt him pry me out of bed to do what I said I was going to do.

I never thought I would run a race with my Dad. Today, I wanted to feel closer to him. Mission accomplished.

Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads and Father Figures out there. by @ravenjemison

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4 months ago

👋🏾

I went to Harvard…

…for an unbelievable 4 days!

I’m late posting this because I struggled to find the words to capture the brilliance, leadership and straight up bad-a$$ery of my cohort at Harvard’s Business of Entertainment, Media and Sports. It challenged me in a way that being in a classroom never has.

The incomparable @anitaelberse was everything I heard she was. Energetic, funny, and inspiring. Thank you Dr. Elberse for pushing all of us.

To my cohort - thank you for bringing it every day and pushing me out of my comfort zone. We’re all better because of the time we spent together.

💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾 by @ravenjemison

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4 months ago

Our final podcast episode of the year takes us back to the 2025 National Convention! Tune in as we revisit the Own It: Leading Boldly in the Business of Sports panel featuring:

Stacey Allaster, @usta
@ravenjemison, @kccurrent
@desireereedfrancois, @azathletics

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon Music

Members can also watch all Convention recordings in the Leadership Hub on ENGAGE! by @ravenjemison

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10 months ago

“The dignity in which they’re caring for individuals coming in here is definitely beautiful to see” 🩵

Our President Raven is highlighting @theprospectkc’s ability to nourish the community as our @unitedwaygkc’s Impact Moment of the Month 🫶 by @ravenjemison

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a year ago