Jade: Rooted in Faith-Rising in Purpose: What she does, the whole world feels.
Some people are born into comfort.
Others are forged in fire.
Jade’s story isn’t one of ease — it is one of endurance, purpose, and quiet power. A native of Aiken, South Carolina, she set out on a mission long before she ever called it that. Earning her Bachelor’s degree in Electronic Journalism from the University of South Carolina, and later pursuing a Master’s in Management and Leadership with a focus on Leadership, Jade didn’t just study leadership — she lived it. Every. Single. Day.
But her greatest lessons never came from a classroom.
They came from hospital rooms. From uncertainty. From unanswered questions. From unimaginable strength.
At just 17 years old, Jade was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), a chronic and life-threatening autoimmune disease that impacts every individual differently. In her case, it meant repeated hospitalizations, critical drops in her platelet count, and facing realities that most people never have to imagine — including internal bleeding, chronic fatigue, and the very real possibility of death.
And yet… she chose life.
She chose hope.
She chose impact.
She chose purpose.
“Life is about choices. God enables every individual the ability to DECIDE what path they want to take — it’s up to us to take the positive course.”
— Jade
That decision is what gave birth to Crowning Lupus.
Crowning Lupus: Purpose in Action
In 2013, Jade transformed her pain into a platform with the creation of her nonprofit organization, Crowning Lupus — a mission-driven initiative dedicated to raising awareness, providing education, and actively supporting lupus warriors and their families across South Carolina and the CSRA regions of Georgia.
What started as one voice quickly became a movement.
Through Crowning Lupus, Jade and her team have:
Raised over $25,000 for Lupus education, survivor assistance, and related causes
Supported organizations such as:
Lupus Foundation of America
Children’s Hospital of Georgia
Golden Harvest Food Bank
Hosted annual walks, initiatives, and community education efforts
Created safe spaces for survivors to feel seen, heard, and supported
Normalized conversations about invisible illness and chronic struggle
Her work is not performative. It is personal.
It is hands-on.
It is often unseen.
But its impact?
Absolutely undeniable.
Learn more about her work: CrowningLupus.com
Recognition Earned, Not Chased
Jade’s impact has been recognized again and again — not because she seeks a spotlight, but because you simply cannot ignore a woman who moves mountains in silence.
Her honors include:
WJBF News Channel 6 Giving Your Best Award (2013)
Quarterly Adjuvant Recipient – A. Bevy, Inc. (2014)
Aiken Standard Non-Profit of the Week (2015)
Brown Goes Purple Initiative Founder (2015)
SC Black Pages Top 40 Under 40 (2015)
Jim Casey Community Service Award Nominee (2015 & 2018)
Women to Watch – WJBF News Channel 6 (2017)
Crowning Lupus Walk recognized as official SC Lupus Walk (2016)
WEGO Health Patient Leader (2020)
GSK Lupus Campaign Ambassador (2020 & 2021)
Aiken Standard Sunday’s Best Honoree (2020)
Cher Best Community Service Shero Award (2020)
She is the embodiment of service — in titles, in action, and in spirit.
Why Jade Is the Definition of “Being the Echo”
Being the Echo is about the unseen work.
The uncelebrated fight.
The daily choice to show up even when your body says rest, and your mind says quit.
Jade does the work that no one claps for:
Late nights planning
Quiet encouragement in private messages
Grant writing
Resource gathering
Survivor check-ins
Coordination, organizing, uplifting, and carrying others
Her leadership does not live on a stage.
It lives behind the scenes… where real change happens.
And I had the incredible privilege of witnessing this firsthand.
Working alongside Jade as her co-chair for this year’s holiday giving campaign (Angel Tree / Toys for Tots initiative) has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. We stepped into a situation behind schedule, lacking support and resources — yet she never wavered.
She led with grace.
With determination.
With compassion.
With clarity.
Where others would have panicked, she created structure.
Where others would have complained, she created solutions.
Where others would have quit… she kept going.
That is her echo.
It is not loud in volume — it is loud in impact.
It does not fade — it multiplies.
It does not demand attention — it commands change.
Jade is a walking reminder that the most powerful leaders don’t seek recognition…
They seek transformation.
AND they create it.
That is what it looks like to Be the Echo.