Paige Fraser is showing others that there is life beyond a scoliosis diagnosis. She was diagnosed in her freshman year of high school after getting accepted into its prestigious dance program and described that moment as “traumatizing.” While her doctor told her that she may need surgery in the future, she was fortunate to find alternative methods, which included wearing a back brace and seeing a chiropractor twice a week.
“It just was a really difficult, dark time for me my freshman year because I had to process all of those emotions while still showing up. And like being a dancer and putting my best foot forward and pushing through,” she tellsxoNecole. “I think aside from the support of my parents, my love of dance and my dream of becoming a professional dancer is what kind of kept me focused and allowed me to just tap into why I was doing what I was doing.”
Fast forward years later, Paige has danced for Beyoncé and the legendary Alvin Ailey dance company and is currently in The Lion King on Broadway, proving that scoliosis can’t stop what’s for you. Scoliosis is a sideways curve in your spine that, according to Cleveland Clinic, affects over six million people in the U.S. June is National Scoliosis Awareness Month, and Paige is using her platform to share her story and educate others on the disability.
Photo by Tatiana Katkova
Not only is she a scoliosis advocate, but she also serves as the chief artistic officer and program director for dance for The Paige Fraser Foundation, which her aunt, Lesmah Fraser, founded in her honor. The Paige Fraser Foundation is a 501(c)(3) community-based non-profit organization that focuses on art and wellness programs for people with or without disabilities.
“Of course, it's named after me, but it's bigger than me, in a sense. We offer art programming and dance, visual arts, music, theater, and wellness. And over the last six years, it's been beautiful to see these programs grow,” she shares. Paige is also the mastermind behind the Spine Series, which they have every June for National Scoliosis Awareness Month.
“In June, we have a program called Spine Series, and I founded that program specifically during the pandemic because we were all stuck inside, and that's one thing with scoliosis, you never want to just be sitting, right?” She says. “Movement helps any kind of bone and joint deformity. So I pitched Spine Series to the board, and they loved it, and this year is our fifth year offering it, and it's offered on Zoom. And what I love about it is it's accessible to people all over the world.”
“In June, we have a program called Spine Series, and I founded that program specifically during the pandemic because we were all stuck inside, and that's one thing with scoliosis, you never want to just be sitting, right? Movement helps any kind of bone and joint deformity. So I pitched Spine Series to the board, and they loved it, and this year is our fifth year offering it, and it's offered on Zoom. And what I love about it is it's accessible to people all over the world.”
Photo by Tatiana Katkova
“And we've seen people from all over the world participate in Spine Series, and that's really just another beautiful reminder and affirming that like I'm not alone in this journey with scoliosis, and there are people craving information to feel better.”
Living with scoliosis, it’s important to take care of your body. Being a professional dancer, Paige is constantly challenging her body every day, so one of the key things she learned to do was to listen to her body and give it the proper care it needs. That includes taking a Pilates class, acupuncture, getting a massage, or seeing a chiropractor. This can also help prevent flare-ups, and if you are experiencing flare-ups, she says it might be a sign that something is wrong.
Photo by Tatiana Katkova
“I'm so grateful for this conversation and the ongoing conversations I've been having because it's not one size fits all. There are some people who get diagnosed, and they need the surgery, but then the thing is, after the surgery, you still have to take care of yourself,” she says. “You can't just rely on that. There still has to be a practice in place that keeps you connected with your body. A lot of scoliosis is alignment. It's alignment issues, which cause breathing issues, which can cause mobility issues, right? So to prevent that, it's better to just get ahead of it and really do research.”
While Paige will always continue her advocacy, she knows that at some point, she will have to transition from performing. However, that doesn’t mean she will leave the arts forever. She is currently pursuing her master's degree in arts and culture advocacy and will graduate in August. She also reveals that she is getting into filmmaking and helping her mom bring her stories to life.
Follow Paige on Instagram and learn more about The Paige Fraser Foundation.
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Feature image by Tatiana Katkova
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Well, I’ve been on safaris in South Africa, hiked waterfall-lined paths in Jamaica, and enjoyed sunset tequila tastings at high-end Mexican resorts, but camping? It was definitely a surprisingly fun 10-out-of-10 adventure I’d gladly embark on again. When Kampgrounds of America (KOA) invited me to join a Black camper’s retreat hosted by Black People Outside at the Cape Charles Chesapeake Bay KOA Resort in Virginia, I couldn’t say no.
I mean, while camping for some of us might be a hard pass, for me, it was an opportunity to reconnect with a childhood memory, try out glamping in a state-of-the-art camper, and see a part of Virginia that I didn’t grow up visiting as a child in the Hampton Roads communities my maternal family called home back then.
RISE IN INTEREST: Black Folk Camping And Creating Safe Spaces
Kameron Stanton, left, and Chevon Linear, founders of Black People Outside
Courtesy
And my adult curiosity and affinity for the outdoors are shared by a growing number of my peers. Black people made up 14% of campers in 2024, an increase from 11% in 2019, according to a recent KOA report. There’s an emerging trend of Black campers taking on nature-centered adventures like skiing, foraging, hiking, and van dwelling.
We’re definitely not new to this, but certainly true to it—from author and anthropologist Zora Neal Hurston to pioneering park ranger Betty Reid Soskin to Outdoor Afro founder Rue Mapp to the many other women who have boldly advocated for liberation, inclusion, and exploration in outdoor spaces.
And with Black People Outside, founded by Chicago-based couple Kameron Stanton and Chevon “Chev” Linear, the Black camping experience reflected something that happens whenever we show up to the party: cultural connection, unapologetic fun, good vibes, and our own unique flair for soul-stirring memories. I enjoyed a luxe VIP stay in a Platinum Salem RV among the who’s who of media, and it was divine.
So, whether you’re looking for a reset in a world where we’re constantly navigating microaggressions and systemic stress, or you just want something fun and off-the-beaten path for your next travel rendezvous, take a nod from this camping itinerary, perfect to celebrate Black joy and community:
WHERE I STAYED: Glamping In A Luxury RV Rental In Cape Charles, Va.
The beach side of Kampgrounds of America's Cape Charles, Va. property
Courtesy of Kampgrounds of America (KOA)
For this trip, I stayed in a Salem Fsx Platinum RV that was rented via RVShare.com. (Think of it like the Airbnb of camper rentals.) You basically filter for the type, location, and other amenities, and you book the camper.
With KOA, you can visit their website or use their app to find a campsite for parking the RV among one of their more than 500 campgrounds across the U.S.
You can have the RV delivered to the KOA campsite of your choosing (depending on the rental, host policies, and rates). I highly recommend letting the host set it up, especially as a newbie camper. The KOA staff was also very helpful in assisting when I needed anything explained or a small hiccup resolved. (I’m no expert on the ins and outs of outdoor plumbing, electrical hookups, and camper pull-out features, so this comes in handy.)
Cabins at Kampgrounds of America's Cape Charles, Va. site
Courtesy of Kampgrounds of America (KOA)
Let’s get into the top-tier features of this camper: It had a master bedroom with a smart TV, a closet, and shelf space. The bathroom had a vanity, cabinet space, and a shower (with an adjustable shower head and hot water with great pressure). There was digital AC and heating in both the bedroom and the front of the camper, along with a dining nook and a kitchen with lots of cabinet space, a full-sized stove, refrigerator, and microwave.
I enjoyed a lot of time in the camper's lounge area with a smart TV and fireplace. The RV was decorated like a modern studio apartment on wheels. There was also a guest room with bunk beds, storage, and games. Outside, there was a retractable awning, LED lights, and a sound system (that played music by the fire pit!)
I stocked my fridge with all my dream camp snacks, hosted an impromptu late-night pow-wow (to bring the party inside during the campsite’s “quiet hours”), and used KOA’s inclusive WiFi access, which was strong and reliable my whole time there.
WHAT I DID: Lodging Options, Town Exploration & Recreation
Hiking in Kiptopeke State Park in Cape Charles, Va.
Courtesy
If you don’t want to rent an RV, the Cape Charles KOA campground also offered safari tents (that look just like the ones I saw in South Africa), grass lots to build your own tents and set up, cabins that reminded me of Bermuda cottages, and drive-up options for groups with RVs. There was an on-site pool, private beach access, a beach-side restaurant and bar, and a welcome center that offered souvenirs, information, and snacks.
I also learned how to pitch a tent from scratch (via a completion where my teammate and I won a bottle of sparkling wine), how to start a fire from scratch (a lesson led by Kameron), and the best ways to find a good hiking trail in your community (Kameron and Chev walked us through Kiptopeke State Park, where there are opportunities for bird watching, kayaking, yurt camping, fishing and swimming at the beach.)
And if you want to take things to another level, charter a boat or rent one via a hosting platform or with recommendations from the KOA staff. Go fishing or just enjoy a recreational day out on the Chesapeake Bay.
SAFETY & INCLUSION
The winning tent-building duo at the KOA campground in Cape Charles, Va.
Courtesy
Now, safety: The whole time, I felt loved and welcome, as the KOA campground in Cape Charles was a secure property that required access cards, had staff readily available day and night, enforced rules on speed limits and quiet hours, and had decent lighting around the grounds. I also felt a sense of peace and rest because nobody really bothered me. Either people were super-friendly or just minded their business, and I didn’t mind that.
There was lots of laughter, ish-talking, roasted s'mores, wine, and dancing among a diverse group of Black women creatives, journalists, PR pros, podcast hosts, and authors—and that brought on a profoundly magical sense of security and connection in and of itself.
Also, camping—as any experience for me, due to my worldview—is what you make it. The KOA staff were super-helpful and personable, Chev cooked divine breakfast tacos and a crab boil with locally sourced seafood, our hosts created a Spotify playlist filled with reggae, dancehall, salsa, R&B and hip-hop hits we all loved, and I even met the owner of the camper, a kind, tatted, middle-aged family man who shared his journey into entrepreneurship and his love for customer service.
We spent the final night of the trip with a little party by the fire pit and a viewing of Super High, a clever animated film about fibroids, cannabis, and self-care by a fellow camper on the trip, Bianca Lambert, and celebrated the upcoming birthday of another amazing media entrepreneur, Nneka M. Okona.
Time well spent with amazing Black creatives, journalists, PR pros, and authors in Cape Charles, Va.
Courtesy
We took a drive into “town,” which for any small community near water is where all the action is. There were breakfast diners, seafood spots right by the water, art galleries, and bars. While there may have been a few blank stares here and there, I found most folk to be friendly enough to return a “Hello,” or a smile. (And those who didn't, I really don't regard as worthy of disturbing my peace and openness to fully enjoy a new experience.)
The shops were diverse both in nature, vibe, and offerings. One shop even had items made in Kenya, Mexico, and Guatemala, and, according to the woman behind the counter, advocates for the women creatives and artisans who made the items.
Camping offers revolutionary rest, freedom, and healing—an act of self-care and reconnection. When Black folk show up in nature, for ourselves and for our communities, it’s powerful, reminding everyone that the mountains, the trees, the oceans, the rivers—they all belong to us, too. It’s now a bucket-list travel adventure I'd gladly repeat.
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Featured image courtesy of Janell Hazelwood