You don't have to be a star athlete to make a difference, and Jazinae Patterson is living proof. She had a solid prep career at Minneapolis Washburn, reaching two state tournaments and leading the team in scoring as a senior. Along the way, she won the Boys and Girls Club Minnesota Youth of the Year and a full-ride scholarship to the University of Northwestern (not to be confused with Northwestern University in Illinois), where she graduated as a triple major.
Beneath Jazinae's tremendous highs was a woman who contended with hardships. Injuries and cultural insensitivity at UNW led Jazinae to end her athletic career early, and her mental health was strained from years of intense concentration on basketball and her studies. Jazinae's journey of healing isn't over, but as a mental health advocate and program coordinator for the Black Women's Wealth Alliance, she's making sure people like her aren't left behind.
In this conversation, we reflect on Jazinae's life in sports and the classroom, her mental health experience, and her unique taste in food.
