Kristina Nojé is a rower and 2025 graduate of the University of Alabama, currently continuing her athletic and academic journey at Indiana University for her fifth year. She first discovered rowing after spotting fliers during college orientation and catching a glimpse of the sport on TV during the Olympics with her mom. That spark of interest led her to walk onto the team her freshman year—and she hasn’t looked back since.

Despite starting the sport later than many of her teammates, Kristina rose to the challenge, developing technical skills quickly to become a competitive collegiate athlete. Her perseverance paid off with standout accomplishments, including a 1st place finish in the 2V8 at the 2024 Big Ten Invite and a 3rd place finish in the 1V8 at the 2024 Big 12 Championship. One of her favorite memories is being named stroke seat of the 2V on short notice and leading her crew to victory—a moment that proved her inner doubts wrong and reminded her of the unwavering trust her teammates had in her.

Even after suffering a labrum tear her senior year, Kristina remains determined not to let setbacks define her story. Over the summer of 2024, she added sculling to her rowing skillset and continues to chase her goals with passion and resilience.

Off the water, Kristina is pursuing a graduate certificate in Nonprofit Management to lay the foundation for a future master’s in Public Affairs. A fun fact about her? She can tumble over people’s heads!

Kristina is deeply aligned with BRAID’s mission, finding strength in the community it provides and the way it champions representation. “BRAID gives me a space where I don’t have to explain myself—they just get it,” she shares. Through embracing her identity and openly discussing the barriers Black rowers face, she actively contributes to making rowing a more inclusive and welcoming space.

Her favorite quote?
“You are your only limit—don’t stand in your own way.”

Anna Woodside is a freshman rower at Boston University, studying Political Science with a minor in Public Policy Analysis. Her rowing journey began five years ago when, as a bored high school freshman navigating the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, a friend encouraged her and her twin sister to give rowing a try. That leap of faith turned into a passion that has defined her athletic path ever since.

Anna has raced in some of the sport’s most iconic events, including the Head of the Charles Regatta (21st in 2023), Youth Nationals, and the Head of the Hooch. She also placed 15th at Crash Bs in the U17 category in 2022 and helped lead her boat to a 3rd place finish at the New York State Championships three years in a row as part of the 1V8.

One of Anna’s favorite memories came during her senior year HOCR race, where her boat found perfect rhythm and connection on the Charles River—an emotional and unforgettable moment. But her journey hasn’t been without challenges. As a woman of color in a predominantly white sport, Anna initially faced feelings of isolation. Through resilience, the support of teammates, and a growing sense of purpose, she has transformed those obstacles into strength. She now sees her presence in the sport as both a statement and an invitation—proof that others who look like her belong here, too.

Anna is deeply aligned with BRAID’s mission to uplift and connect rowers of color. For her, BRAID feels like family: a community that celebrates shared struggles, encourages vulnerability, and fosters growth. She actively contributes to creating more inclusive spaces in rowing by simply showing up, breaking barriers, and offering representation and encouragement to others who may be navigating similar paths.

Outside of rowing, Anna is a multi-sport athlete—she’s played seven sports—and lives by the words: “You’re going to get yourself where you want to be.” Her grit, drive, and authenticity continue to shape not just her future, but the future of the sport she loves. 

From the track lanes of New York to the stroke seat of a Division I varsity eight, Chinemere Njoku’s journey into rowing was anything but conventional. After returning to New York following her grandfather’s passing, a beach day with her mother—meant to bring comfort—unexpectedly changed the course of her life. That day, Chinemere saw a group of girls training on what she now knows were ergs. Her mom, already one step ahead, introduced her to the coach. The next day, Chinemere found herself in the varsity eight, learning to take her first strokes. “It was fun—even if I had no idea what I was doing,” she laughs. “At least I didn’t catch a crab.”

Since that moment, rowing has become her entire world.

Now a rower at Bucknell University, Chinemere’s accomplishments speak to her talent, determination, and love for the sport. As a freshman, she stroked the varsity eight in her first spring race, a highlight in a career that also includes a second-place finish in the 2V8+ at Youth Nationals in 2024. But for Chinemere, some of her most meaningful memories aren’t from racing—they’re from coaching. “Teaching middle schoolers how to row reminded me how joyful this sport can be,” she reflects. “Their excitement helped me bring that same energy back to my own practices.”

Behind her achievements is a story of quiet strength and growth. One of Chinemere’s biggest hurdles was believing she was strong enough. “In rowing, it’s easy to reduce yourself to a split time or seat race result,” she says. “I had to unlearn that mindset and start honoring what my body was doing in the moment.” Now, she finds pride in her presence, her progress, and the resilience she brings to the boat every day.

Off the water, Chinemere is a neuroscience major on the pre-med track. She’s passionate about global service and envisions a future that blends medicine, impact, and purpose—perhaps through the Peace Corps or even military medicine. She’s currently conducting undergraduate philosophy research focused on the documentation of human remains with professors Dr. Kubat and Dr. Ward, exploring complex ethical and cultural questions. She’s also deeply creative, with a love for photography, storytelling, and film. A former photo editor for her school newspaper and an NYU summer film director, she enjoys capturing beauty in fleeting moments—whether it's a sunset, a candid smile, or her dog being goofy.

As a Black woman in rowing, Chinemere understands the power of visibility. “It’s so important to see Black women in this sport,” she says. “Representation reminds me that I’m not alone—that this space can be mine too.” Inspired by movements like BRAID (Black Rowers Amplifying Inclusion and Diversity), she makes it her mission to create belonging for others. “I will always help someone who doesn’t feel welcome feel like they belong. That’s just who I am.”

Chinemere’s story is one of perseverance, passion, and finding joy—even in a sport that demands everything. She lives by a favorite quote from Floyd Mayweather: “It’s not who gets hit, it’s how many times they get hit and how many times they get up and keep going.” And for Chinemere, getting back up means pulling harder, showing up with heart, and carving space for others to do the same.

Lauren Brown is a rower at the University of California, Los Angeles, whose journey into the sport was driven by her lifelong dream of becoming a Division I athlete. A multi-sport competitor growing up, she discovered rowing the summer before her junior year of high school and quickly made an impact on the water.

Lauren’s rowing career is marked by historic achievements. In 2022, she competed at the Head of the Charles in her high school club’s first-ever women’s 4+ entry, placing an impressive third overall after starting 73rd. At the 2023 Youth Nationals, she raced in the Varsity 8+, helping her team podium for the first time in program history. Most recently, at Head of the Charles 2024, Lauren competed in the Rowing in Color (RIC) all-Black women’s 8+, a full-circle moment for her after witnessing the boat in 2022 and realizing that she truly belonged in the sport.

While rowing has brought Lauren incredible opportunities, it hasn’t come without challenges. During her recruitment process, she encountered discrimination and ignorance, with some coaches dismissing her questions about diversity and even telling her that rowing is a “white sport.” Rather than allowing those experiences to deter her, she has used them as fuel to inspire change, uplift other Black athletes, and advocate for greater inclusivity in rowing.

Lauren is deeply committed to fostering diversity and representation in the sport. She actively encourages young Black women to join rowing and shares her personal journey of struggle, strength, and perseverance to remind others that they are seen, valued, and capable of success. She believes in the mission of BRAID, a community that empowers Black rowers and works toward a more inclusive future for the sport.

Outside of rowing, Lauren was a competitive equestrian for 11 years! Through it all, she stays motivated by one simple but powerful mantra:

“Trust the process.”

We celebrate Lauren for her resilience, leadership, and unwavering commitment to making rowing a space where all athletes can belong and thrive!

Meet Julia Maxwell, our February Athlete of the Month, whose journey into rowing is a testament to courage, resilience, and the power of stepping outside one’s comfort zone. Julia is a dedicated rower at Eastern Michigan University, where she’s making waves both on and off the water.
During her freshman year (2022-2023), Julia decided to try something completely new by walking onto the rowing team—despite having no prior experience in the sport. With a background in cheerleading and tap dancing, rowing was a bold shift, but after receiving an email about open tryouts (and a little nudge from her mom), she seized the opportunity. For Julia, rowing became a way to challenge herself, broaden her experiences, and connect with new people in an unfamiliar environment.
Julia’s journey has been defined by small victories that fuel her passion for the sport. From hitting new personal records on erg test days to earning her first varsity jacket in her second year, these milestones have marked her growth and commitment. But beyond accolades, the true highlight for Julia has been embracing the process—falling in love with the journey of becoming faster and stronger.
One of Julia’s most cherished memories is her spring training trip to Tuscaloosa, Alabama during her second year. Having missed out on this opportunity as a freshman, this trip allowed her to build deeper bonds with her teammates and experience the joy of training outside the erg room. The warm-weather sessions unlocked new speed and pushed her limits in ways she never expected, especially after months of training on frozen Ford Lake in Michigan.
Rowing is not just physically demanding—it’s a mental battle. Waking up before the sun to train, enduring the Midwest cold for months on the erg, and pushing through soreness are daily challenges. Julia admits there are days when she questions if it’s all worth it, but she’s learned to overcome those doubts. Through conversations with coaches and teammates, she’s adopted a “mind over matter” approach, focusing on progress and resilience rather than perfection.
Julia is pursuing a degree in Criminology with a concentration in Juvenile Justice at Eastern Michigan University. She’s passionate about working with at-risk youth in the justice system, advocating for rehabilitation, and supporting personal growth. Inspired by her fascination with true crime documentaries, Julia aims to create meaningful change by developing programs and policies that prioritize the well-being and success of young individuals navigating the justice system.
For Julia, seeing Black athletes in rowing has been a powerful motivator. As a walk-on, she initially had no idea that others who looked like her were excelling in such a challenging sport. The sense of community and representation she found in rowing has reinforced her determination to succeed and inspired her to make the sport more inclusive. During on-campus recruiting, she makes a point to connect with Black women, encouraging them to try rowing, especially at a predominantly white institution (PWI) where feeling connected can be difficult. Julia’s efforts are helping to pave the way for future Black rowers, ensuring they feel welcomed and empowered.

Fun Facts:

• Julia developed a love for true crime documentaries in 2020, often falling asleep with them playing in her headphones.

• She’s also a huge fan of The Jerry Springer Show—a guilty pleasure that never fails to entertain!

Julia lives by the quote: “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out” – Robert Collier. This mindset has fueled her growth, both in rowing and in life, reminding her that every small step leads to greatness.

We’re proud to celebrate Julia Maxwell for her strength, passion, and commitment to making rowing more inclusive and inspiring for the next generation.

Meet Bella Moreno, a standout rower currently representing Duke University. Bella’s rowing journey began in middle school at a learn-to-row camp. While she didn’t enjoy the first day, her mom encouraged her to stick with it, reminding her of the commitment she’d made. Soon after, Bella’s high school coach recognized her potential and gave her the unique opportunity to train with high school freshmen. This early encouragement sparked Bella’s passion for rowing, and she’s been thriving ever since.

Bella’s rowing career is marked by impressive achievements. In high school, she celebrated a win at Stotesbury, a significant milestone for her team. Racing in a pair at Youth Nationals, she and her partner secured 7th place, making senior year unforgettable. At the collegiate level, Bella’s proudest moment came when her team earned 3rd place at the ACCs, showcasing her talent on a national stage.

One of Bella’s favorite memories comes from the Big10 Invite in Sarasota during Spring 2024. The competitive atmosphere, combined with the chance to race alongside her best friends, made it an unforgettable experience. Her boat continued building momentum and growing together throughout the season.

For Bella, one of the biggest challenges in rowing has been finding a community where she feels safe and seen. Thankfully, she found that sense of belonging in DWR and BRAID, two empowering communities of strong, supportive women.

Beyond rowing, Bella has a rich history of riding horses for six years and dreams of pursuing either law school or a PhD in philosophy or politics after graduation. Her love for learning and curiosity about the world are as strong as her commitment to rowing.

To Bella, BRAID’s mission is invaluable: “Community is so important and something that I knew I was missing for years. Having this safe space for Black women is uplifting and powerful. A space full of resources, love, and support is indispensable.”

Bella draws strength from the verse “If God is for us, who can be against us” (Romans 8:31). This reminds her to stay the course, trust in her purpose, and honor the path God has set for her.

We’re proud to spotlight Bella Moreno as an exceptional athlete, teammate, and community builder. Keep shining, Bella—you inspire us all!

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