2026 Go Red for Women Class of Survivors: Kenya Robinson
At 44, Kenya Robinson suffered a brain bleed while teaching a Jazzercise class. Airlifted to a stroke center, she vowed to recover and reclaim her life. Now she counsels other stroke survivors about the wisdom of slowing down.
Kenya Robinson had been feeling exhausted and stressed before stepping on stage to lead her Jazzercise class. The 44-year-old mother of three knew she had to make some changes in how she managed two businesses and a busy family schedule.
When she tried to use her right hand to hit the play button on her phone to start the music, nothing happened. While she thought that was curious, Kenya used her left hand, the music began, and she was off and running. But toward the end of class, during the strength portion, Kenya tried to lift a weight, and it dropped from her hand. A short while later, she tried to lift her leg and stumbled. When students noticed her face drooping, one class participant called 911.
Kenya made it through the routine but told her students she needed to end the class early. They rushed the stage, surrounded her and began praying. One woman told Kenya she had 911 on the phone, and they wanted her to try to smile. Kenya shook her head no. Next, the 911 operator wanted Kenya to stick out her tongue. Again, she said no.
“In my head I’m thinking, “If I can’t do what she’s asking me, it’s going to mean something’s wrong, and I don’t want anything to be wrong,’” Kenya said.
Several students followed the ambulance to the hospital. Some 40 people filled the waiting room. Kenya remembers people hollering to keep her awake as the nurse had instructed. Next, Kenya was flown by helicopter to a hospital with a stroke unit. When she woke up, she saw her father sitting on her bed and knew it must be bad.
“We’re not going to do brain surgery,” the doctor said.
Kenya was confused. There was no way he was talking to her, but there was no other patient in the room.
The doctor explained Kenya had suffered a hemorrhagic stroke, which was caused by dangerously high blood pressure. The brain bleed on the left side had resulted in right-side paralysis, memory issues and aphasia, a condition that makes it difficult to communicate. Doctors told Kenya she might get back 70% function, if she worked hard.
“I remember telling God, ‘Game on!’” Kenya said.
When she arrived at a rehabilitation center, Kenya vowed to be home by her birthday in less than two weeks. She worked diligently in physical, speech and occupational therapy. She was released the day before and was celebrating her birthday at a restaurant with her family on Oct. 20, 2019.
The occasion was extra special because Kenya celebrated alongside her youngest son, who had visited the hospital with his siblings on his birthday. Kenya could see the concern on their faces and felt guilty, thinking they should be at Chuck E. Cheese celebrating, not at their mother’s bedside.
Kenya, now 51, continued with Jazzercise, using it as therapy to rebuild her strength and identity. She only taught strength classes for 18 months until her balance improved enough to do the choreography for cardio routines.
The empty nester from the Los Angeles area is about 95% of the way to full function. She has some weakness, takes time with her speech so it comes out clearly, still forgets words and has chronic pain to the affected side that she’s learned to manage.
“Aside from those things, I believe that your outlook on each day and keeping things positive is helpful to all of it,” Kenya said.
She speaks weekly with stroke survivors, advocating for awareness, especially in women and communities of color.
“I'm teaching women the power of slowing down. Rest, mindfulness and saying no aren't signs of weakness. They’re acts of wisdom,” Kenya said. “Taking care of your health is the strongest move you can make.”
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