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AUGUSTA, Ga. () – Xtreme Hip Hop Instructor Brittany Jenkins, A.K.A. Brit The Boss, is using her love for fitness to bring awareness about autism.
Jenkins chats with about her event, Let’s Step It Out For Autism, and her AUsome child, Demar.
Welcome to Celebrating Black Excellence. For those who may not have seen our previous interview, can you please tell us how you got into Xtreme Hip Hop?
Well, I had a baby, and I was looking to lose my baby weight. So, I got a trainer, and my trainer was an Xtreme Hip Hop instructor. I just kind of fell in love with the platform. I started following different instructors that I knew, and before you know it, I got certified myself.
Speaking of your child, you are the mother of what you call an “AUsome baby.”
Yes, he’s “AUsome.” He’s autistic, and so that’s what I’m here to talk to you about. I’m raising awareness about autism in our community.
How has your son shaped you as a woman? As a mother?
Well, of course, no one ever expects for them to be told that their child is autistic or has any disability, and so it’s been a learning journey. Anyone that meets Demar always tells me that he teaches them patience, and I definitely have to agree. Demar has made me stronger in many, many ways. I am definitely more vocal than I used to be because he is nonverbal. I am his voice, and so I tell people all the time that I’m a Mama Bear.
And you are having this event honoring him and bringing awareness to autism. Can you please tell us about the event?
So, the event idea actually just came to me one day. Demar has always been very independent. He doesn’t need to play with any other kids, but one day, I started to notice that he wanted to embrace with other kids, but he wasn’t being received that well because he communicates differently. It’s something that a lot of us – parents and our children – deal with so I wanted to bring awareness to that. So, step is my thing. Fitness is important, and kids love fitness as well. So, I decided to do an autism awareness step event. It is for all levels of steppers, whether you are a new stepper, beginner, or advanced, and we’re just going to come out. We’re inviting the whole community to come out just so you can see our babies. The “AUsome” kids will be there. You can meet them and just learn more about how to interact with them so you can teach your kids to be kind to our kids.
Let’s Step It Out For Autism takes place Saturday, April 26th from 10 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. at the Augusta United Graduate Academy, 3105 Spring Grove Drive, Suite G in Augusta.
Tickets can be purchased at https://brittheboss.ticketspice.com/lets-step-it-out-for-autism. For more information, you can follow Let’s Step It Out For Autism on Facebook and Instagram.
Let’s Step It Out For Autism is sponsored by the community, and you can find that list on the Let’s Step It Out For Autism website.
Music provided by Boxx The Hungry Genius (Featuring DJ B Real) “Make Em’ Move”
