As more people of color look to take better care of their health, Black women are leading the way in the fitness industry like never before. Lori Price, the owner of a Dallas-based Jazzercise studio, is one of those women who has made it her mission to empower those in her community with the tools to help along their fitness journey.

Price’s entry into the Jazzercise community is a very personal one. After being fit most of her life, the former journalist entered a period when her weight ballooned. It was at that time that the Xavier University at New Orleans and Northwestern University alumna decided it was time to get back control of her body. In 2017, Price did some research and went to her first Jazzercise class. Now at the strongest she’s ever been, Price says she’s been able to lose 40 pounds and keep it off through exercise.

For Price, Jazzercise has become more than just an exercise class. Her love of the 50-year-old workout regimen led her to get her certification to teach. Over the years, she’s become part of a community that embraced and empowered her to become the best version of herself while helping others reach their fitness goals. So when the owner of the studio said she would be retiring and wanted Price to take the reins, Price took a leap of faith. Despite the economic challenges brought on by the pandemic, Price was able to thrive and signed paperwork in March of this year, making her one of a handful of Black owners of a Jazzercise studio in the country.

When asked about some of the challenges she’s faced as an entrepreneur, Price echoes the sentiments of many Black female business owners.

“Like any other Black woman who owns a business, I’ve run into microaggressions. Some people question what I do a little bit more,” she said.

Also, aside from the pandemic, Price says another big challenge is getting Black and other people of color to be comfortable going into any fitness space. Her remedy is to be herself while fostering a nurturing atmosphere to connect with all of her students.

“What can I do to create a space where whoever walks in the door, they’re going to feel like they belong, regardless of who else is in the room? I know racism exists. I don’t go into rooms where I don’t belong, but there’s no room that I don’t belong, and that’s what I want to create for everyone,” Price said.

Go to the Jazzercise website for more information.

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