Meet Angelicka Crawford

We were lucky to catch up with Angelicka Crawford recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Angelicka , thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
Being of Jamaican descent people always joke Jamaicans always have more than one job. In a sense being a business owner / nonprofit leader often times you do have multiple roles or hats if you call it so it stands true.

So I guess you can say its in my blood, my mom always worked hard to provide and take care of my siblings , watching her as we grow up instilled in me you have to work hard but work smarter. Sow the sends in the beginning to reap the benefits later on. Get up early when there are no distractions to start your work day, sometimes it may look like not being able to make all of the social events because you are working on and perfecting your craft as well as creating new connections with those who are on the same mission as you.

I believe in 70 /30 which means to me work hard 70 percent of time in the beginning until you have a solid foundation or team to help keep it going and relax 30 percent of the time, eventually it will shift you will be able to relax 70 percent of the time when your team is in place and your work will become 30 percent. But no matter what keep god in the center of the work and remember your purpose for doing what you do.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a an example of “started from the bottom now we here type of person. ” I am Angelicka Crawford the CEO and Founder of the nonprofit organization Jumping Dreams DD (Double Dutch) and World Champion Double Dutch Coach. Granted the core of how we started is double dutch for kids we are so much more than that.

2017 my sister and I also former champion double dutchers wanted to start a jump rope team to give children in Charlotte a new sport to learn and love. What started off as something fun and competitive eventually turned into what we call the ropes of life. We use jumping rope to serve as an aid in developing youth in the city of Charlotte and surrounding areas as well as good citizenship. Through our programs we are able to provide resources or tools for mental health, physical fitness challenges ,as well as social well being events.

Through the years what started off as a 5 person organization slowly evolved into serving over 1,000 youth on the weekly basis through partnerships with other local youth organizations and schools to bring our programs and services to their youth. We are proud to say Jumping Dreams serves as an outlet for kids to help over come depression and/or anxiety. Build physical endurance , leadership skills as well as life long friendships.

What we do at Jumping Dreams has been life changing not just for the kids but from my sister and I. We never thought we would be able to survive doing what we love during and even after the pandemic. Since the pandemic the City of Charlotte has recognized Jumping Dreams with our own official Jumping Dreams Day to remind the city to get up get active and get healthy together. We have been featured on the Jennifer Hudson show, placed 2nd at the Apollo Theater , and became a World Champion jump rope organization.

We are always looking for college interns in the area to continue to grow the love of living a healthy active life even if its just 30 minutes of activity a day but making it fun for everyone. We are also looking for sponsors to help us support youth who can not afford funding to be apart of programing but displays our team values: growing stronger mentally , being a good person socially , and striving to live a healthier positive lifestyle.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three skills or qualities that have been most impactful in my journey would have to be: Keeping God first , being intentional and genuine when connecting or networking , always remember why you are doing what you are doing.

Be true to who are you are and don’t be afraid to grow and change. Everything isn’t going to happen over night give yourself grace and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?
We are always looking for members to serve on the board to help us continue the work we do and make a bigger impact in not just Charlotte but surroundings cities.

We are looking to train college age students looking to pursue mental health , education, or physical education with kids to be apart the team to start their journey in life. But we are not limited to college students anyone looking to volunteer their time on the weekly basis for 2-3 hours.

Connecting with other organizations who’s mission and values connect with ours are always encouraged to reach out.

Community members who could potentially help us in marketing, social media, or starting our first youtube channel, has experience with travel planning, grant writing, fundraising, organizing events. I can go on and on but the possibilities are endless we are always just looking for more talent to help our organization grow and succeed.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Marcus Gladden

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