All in Health and Wellness
Ikimi Dubose-Woodson is a world-studied chef that finds inspiration through giving to communities of color. She co-founded The Roots Fund, which nourishes and enriches the lives of communities of color in the wine industry. The organization has helped over 200 people of color seeking high-quality education as they prepare for certifications in all aspects of wine.
Meet Tamara Walcott. She is a world champion powerlifter and holds two world records. Seven years ago, when Walcott was over 400 pounds, she decided to change the way she was living for herself and her two children. In 2018 she started powerlifting, and since then, she has starred in an Ulta Beauty commercial, became an ambassador for Project Rock, and started her tour “My Strength is My Sexy.”
Meet Banji Alexander, a British teacher and the author of “Lockdown Looms: Reggie’s Birthday Party.” It is a children’s book that aims to help youth better understand the struggles they went through during the global pandemic. He wrote his book as a way to engage his students during the online learning period of 2020. It was also a way to show his students that even though they were going through hard times, they had people they could turn to and be vulnerable with. Read more about Banji Alexander and how his story brought positivity to children all around Britain.
Humberto Orozco’s life was changed at just 19 years old–when he was diagnosed with HIV. Despite the stigma associated with the virus, Orozco continues to prove to himself and others that it is possible to live a life unimpeded by HIV. Orozco is now a social media activist, promoting positivity within his community and educating others on HIV.
Since the late 70s into the early 80s, Bobby Wilson has been serving his local community through urban agriculture. In 2009, Wilson used his retirement money to build Metro Atlanta Urban Farm, which teaches marginalized families to grow their own produce sustainably, hosts training programs for volunteers, and emphasizes the value of healthy eating–all while promoting equity for farmers of color.
When he was 31 years old, Jarred Keller received a phone call that changed his life—his former roommate had taken his own life. From then on, Keller refused to remain quiet, and decided to make something good out of an unforeseen tragedy. Today, Keller uses his social media to break the stigma of mental health, whether it be through holding up an empowering sign, or sharing a personal video that is both humorous and insightful.
Fueled by passion and a desire to educate–meet Mackenzie Strong, a blind woman with albinism. Mackenzie Strong lives up to her name–she is well-known on her college campus and swims competitively, all while with albinism. Despite the stigma surrounding disability, Strong advocates for her community and is paving the way toward a more inclusive world.
Chef Kenny Minor has always had a love for being in the kitchen and after cooking as a hobby for many years, this passion turned into a career. Minor wants to educate and inspire others on the importance of what we put into our bodies and how this affects us daily. Using the elements of cooking and singing, Minor is able to connect with anyone willing to try one of his recipes!
Millions of older adults suffer from late-life depression every year, yet there is little to no awareness surrounding the mental health of these individuals. That was until Carleigh Berryman founded Viva Vita, an organization that uses virtual reality technology to improve the mental health of older adults.
After 40 surgeries and doubts from her doctors, McKenzy Hupke just walked across the stage and graduated from Wagner University. Seven years ago, Hupke was diagnosed with Stage 4 squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. College graduation was a big part of Hupke’s bucket list and after an emergent brain surgery this past March, she was able to graduate from college alongside her peers.
Shaun Andrews, who was once a Winston-Salem State University college football player, now advocates for mental health. Andrews is in the process of creating an app, Mind HAC, that will curate content specifically for each user to calm the mind and decrease stress and anxiety levels. Andrews is partnered with multiple universities to conduct studies to understand better individuals and how they interact with the app.
Chibwe Mwansa is not just an ambassador for the WeINSPIRE Movement, but she is also a community activist and human rights advocate. Mwansa has spent the last few months in Kitwe as part of the organization Roots of Care, dedicated to helping children enroll in school with all the tools they need to succeed.
The Solomon Islands is located in Oceania, to the east of Papua New Guinea. There are six major islands, as well as hundreds of smaller ones. At the Kilu’ufi Hospital on the island of Malaita, there could potentially be a life-changing movement for the people there with the help of Walking Free.
Maurelhena Walles is the founder of Equity Design with the mission to close the gap between health, wealth and life expectancy. She does this by designing physical activity programming that uses an equity lens as well as data.
After realizing her true passion during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, TL Green founded Holistically Original. This is a transitional life coaching company where clients can speak with a coach to help them through various transitional periods in their lives.
Malcolm Regisford is a former collegiate basketball player who founded Tapped in Wellness after discovering the effects holistic wellness had on him after an ankle injury. Since founding Tapped in Wellness, Regisford has seen his platform grow and shares holistic wellness tips and practices with his audiences.
After noticing the toll that certain health issues were having on the Black community, Cherie White decided to use her passion for fitness to create resources that can open the door to better overall wellness. Her website BLK&FIT has various workouts, recipes and routines for her audience to follow.
Meet Diane Cade, a three-time cancer survivor. She has survived hairy cell leukemia twice and has recently survived uterine cancer. She now shaves her head for other cancer patients so they do not feel alone.
Jessica Cox is a motivational speaker who has spoken in 27 countries. She is also a life coach. She became the first armless pilot as well as the first armless person in the history of the American Taekwondo Association. She also founded the Rightfooted International Foundation, so no one would feel alone like she did.
Black content creator and skincare enthusiast Ricardo Ron, has dedicated his platform to one main message: skincare has no gender. Ron uses his multiple social media pages to share product suggestions and give tips to men on how to take their skin, beard and more.
