Better Exists
Revealing the true lived experiences of the Sickle Cell community. Storytelling that challenges misconceptions and fosters solidarity. Tools and resources to empower the Sickle Cell Warrior
Congratulations to Better Exists Founder J.Snow on winning the 2026 SLAMDANCE Theatrical Distribution Offer!
Our Mission
Better Exists, a duly registered 501 (c) (3) organization, seeks to enrich the quality of life of the sickle cell disease community through mentoring, life skills, education, and health and wellness.
Through storytelling, gentle movement, and life skills education, our mission is to empower warriors, clinicians, and caregivers to build safe spaces where healing, not just medical treatment, becomes the accepted standard.
Surviving is not the same as living.
Those with lifelong chronic illnesses, especially those living with Sickle Cell Disease, are taught to endure pain quietly, often in isolation. Most have been given lower expectations for their lifespan, abilities, levels, and even which dreams are possible.
Better does exist.
We envision creating an environment where people are given the tools, space, training, and community to process what they’ve been through, strengthen their minds and bodies, and discover how to build a life of purpose and joy despite the pain.
Stories heal. Laughter matters. Presence changes perspectives.
Better Exists seeks to remind people who they already are, and help them envision what’s still possible.
Our Vision
Our Pillars
Better Bodies
Sickle Cell Disease is more than a clinical diagnosis. It is a daily negotiation with pain and a testament to the strength required to navigate an often misunderstood condition. We share how to have Better Bodies as a Sickle Cell Warrior.
Better Minds
Better Minds is at the heart of our pillars, teaching and sharing how we can have better minds by championing therapy, journaling, and navigating the healthcare system, all of which require constant self-advocacy. We share insights on bridging the gap between clinical care and the patient's lived reality.
Better Creativity
Better Creativity is where we practice and learn how to leverage our creative skills. Better Exists isn't just about stories; it's about building a foundation of support where every individual's experience is seen, heard, and valued.
Meet The Team
Jared Snow- Executive Director and Founder
As a Sickle Cell warrior himself, J. Snow had a vision for an organization that would build a community at a level today’s youth can grasp. He’s the brains and the face of the organization. Leading the way with a creative strategy leveraging his industry partnerships from filmmaking and stand-up comedy. J Snow's vision for using storytelling to turn pain into power, hosting workshops that offer tools for navigating Sickle Cell and life’s stressors, and creating a safe space for warriors to commune without judgment is fully realized in Better Exists.
Nivia Charles is a Sickle Cell warrior, health equity advocate, and multidisciplinary consultant serving as Creative & Impact Strategist at Better Exists. She specializes in program design, funding strategy, and partnership development at the intersection of storytelling, wellness, and social impact, and is the founder of Nherited Media LLC. Her work centers lived experience as expertise and builds pathways for community-centered care, creativity, and collective healing.
Noah James III is a deaf and hard-of-hearing Sickle Cell warrior, advocate, and Director of Operations at Better Exists. He excels as a fundraising tracker and coordinator; he also manages the company's organizational systems and internal structure. Ultimately, he keeps the machine running so creatives can create. Noah is the founder of Inoahplace, LLC, where he offers consulting services for non-profit and community health organizations. He is the Co-Director of N3Dance Company and enjoys writing in his spare time.
DeVonna Brockman is also a Sickle Cell warrior, advocate, and leads the Media, Marketing & Wellness Programming at Better Exists. She curates the company's visual identity, strategizing, creating, and distributing content to bolster audience growth and engagement.
The Lived Reality. Amplified.
Connect with us
Challenge the misconceptions. Share your story.
Better Exists is a platform built for your voice, fostering a community that understands and supports the true weight of this journey.
Together, we define what it means to exist better. Fill out the form and we will reach out to you.
Support Better Exists
Helping reveal the lived truth of Sickle Cell Disease
Support Better Exists today as a steadfast effort to provide better bodies, better minds, and better creativity in our Sickle Cell Community.