For Olympian Erin Jackson , speed skating has given her more than a gold medal – it’s instilled in her a passion for serving communities and empowering the next generation of Winter Olympians.

When Jackson crossed the finish line to claim gold in the 500m at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, she was oblivious to the fact she had just made history– becoming the first Black American woman to win an individual event at the Winter Olympics.

It wasn’t until several days later she found out she hadn’t just become a gold medalist, but an athlete who minorities would look up to for years to come.

“That was a really surprising stat because I thought, ‘How could that even be true?’” Jackson said. “We’ve had the Winter Olympics for so long, how has there not been another African American gold medalist?

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