Behind my Sparkle
I coined the term Sparkle when I was a 16-year-old student-athlete training in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. My teammate and I dreaded returning home. If it was up to us, we would have never left the mountains — surrounded by sunshine, clean air, and friendship.
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We decided that during our workouts apart, we would send each other the “sparkle emoji” as a reminder to keep digging for our Sparkle — that happiness, passion, and self-worth that fueled who we are. Sparkle is that fiery light, something all of us have, that no matter what happens, no one can dull your Sparkle.
About Devi Jags
Devi Jags is an Entrepreneur, Writer, and Activist. She is Head of Development at Podium Society, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created to support the mission of Podium Pictures, the Emmy Award-winning impact sports media company. As a Board Director for The Army of Survivors, she supports sexual violence survivors in sport to change society through advocacy, education, and resources.
Devi also co-founded an Indian food brand called Sambar Kitchen, and her past work can be seen through her endeavors, such as Chatty Monks Brewing, The Sparkle Community, and much more. She holds an MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing from Sarah Lawrence College and has been published in The Washington Post, Teen Vogue, Vogue India, Women’s Health, Bon Appétit, and more. She was a 2023 Winter Resident of the Tin House Publishers Workshop and has been interviewed by The Washington Post, Unit3d Podcast, and Newsy for her advocacy work in Title IX and sexual violence prevention.
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As an activist, Devi empowers survivors of gender-based violence and helps students navigate the complexities of Title IX through education, writing workshops, and campaign organizing. In her writing, Devi shares stories of mental health in sports and body politics issues in the NCAA.
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She uses the power of storytelling to elevate others, create social change, and above all, find solidarity for herself.
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To join her journey, follow her work @devijags.