American Heart Association's Annual Heart Walk

November 14, 2009 was an extremely proud and exciting day for me. On this day, the American Heart Association (AHA) had their annual Heart Walk at Citizens Bank Park and I was presented with the 2009 Lifestyle Change Award! The award is to recognize people who have made positive changes to impact their quality of life and improve their health. Three years ago, I was a size 16 with hypertension and by slowly changing my diet and incorporating physical activity, I managed to loose over 50lbs and now, a size 8/10. Not only did I improve my overall health, I became certified as a fitness instructor and developed a program, Baby Steps to Healthy Living (BS2HL). BS2HL facilitates fun and informative workshops to individuals, families and organizations on eating, exercise and positive emotional wellness.

Leading up to this event, organizations and individuals from all over the Delaware Valley raised money to help prevent Heart Disease and Stroke. The Walk was not only to raise money for research but to also commemorate loved ones and to celebrate survivors.

My daughter, Zaire is a stroke survivor and was amongst the many who were honored. She was given the opportunity to address the crowd to give her thanks to AHA and those who donated their time and money towards prevention of Heart Disease and Stroke.

Also part of the opening ceremonies were Mayor Michael Nutter, Brian McGarry-Heart Walk Chair, Dr. Patricia Sullivan who serves as the President of AHA's Board of Directors and also a Red Cap Survivor and NBC 10's Kristen Welker who was the MC!

Achieveability's Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Achieveability is a nonprofit organization in West Philadelphia that offers an array of services to its clients. Achieveability has been working to end poverty by helping single parent, low-income families and many who were formerly homeless. They offer education, housing, job readiness programs, and major steps towards home ownership! Achieveability has a new CEO, Marcus Allen whose overall goal is to grow the organization in order to guide those who they serve on the road to self sufficiency. Here are pictures from a ribbon cutting ceremony for one of their newly renovated properties in West Philadelphia that I attended.

Please visit Achieveability's website! Volunteer, send a donation...help those who help us!

http://www.achieveability.org/

Pediatric Stroke Conference

On October 25, 2009, I was privileged to attend Children's Hospital of Philadephia's Pediatric Stroke Conference. Dr. Rebecca Ichord, neurologist and Director of the Pediatric Stroke Program at CHOP presented a very interesting lecture about what happens in the brain during stroke. We also had presentations from a few of the hospital's physical, speech and occupational therapists. The icing on the cake was hearing from the parents of stroke survivors. I was honored to be one of the parents and shared my experience surrounding my daughter's bout with stroke. Some of the parents were asked to put their stories on paper and will be documented in a book called The Spirit of Hope- Stories of Pediatric Stroke Survivors and their Families. Book will be available for purchase in November!

*Group picture are of the co-authors of The Spirit of Hope

Women Against Abuse held their second annual iPledge Campain Press Conference on Drexel University's campus. The iPledge Campaign is a citywide anti-violence movement that calls on ordinary Philadelphians to help end violence at home and in the community. We all have a duty and responsibility to help curb domestic abuse. Not necessarily physically intervening but offering help to those involved. Assist your family member, friend or neighbor in getting resources in order for them to plan a safe escape. If you have a friend who is an abuser, talk to them and strongly encourage them to change their ways. One important fact that I learned was that when an abused woman is seeking a "protection of abuse order" from their abusers, SHE (not the police/sheriff) has to serve the order. WRNB's Mo'Shay LaRen is among a large group of concerned citizens fighting to change this. Women Against Abuse's website has a plethora of resources to get educated on the issue of Domestic Abuse. Take the "Pledge" against Domestic Violence at: http://www.ipledgewaa.org/

Baby Steps at Mt. Airy Family Practice

Baby Steps to Healthy Living is providing wellness workshops to a select number of patients at Mt. Airy Family Practice. The workshops will cover positve physical/mental health along with a fitness component.

Police Appreciation @ Houston Elementary School

Houston Elementary School's Home and School Association had Police Appreciation day for the men and women working out of the 14th Precinct. The 14th is a large district covering most of NW Philadelphia (East/West Mt Airy, East/West Germantown, W. Oak Lane). There was food (a massive spread..yumm), gifts and awards for the officers. I had a wonderful time at the event!!!

Street Games Philly

Talk about a fun event to support the community! Street Games Philly is just what it sounds like... double dutch, king ball, hop scotch, good ole fashion racing and more! The event focused on healthy lifestyles for families, not just the children. This is an initiative of the Jon Drummond Achievement Foundation. Olympic Gold medalist, Jon Drummond and Shelton Mercer teamed up with Councilman Curtis Jones and local professionals to make this day fun and exciting for everyone! As you can see, I was wearing shoes...trying to be cute! I kept thinking that I should've brought my sneakers so I could join the race. How many people can say that they ran against...uuhh, I mean got dusted by an Olympic Gold Medalist?! There were also speakers, a comedian host "Kevvy Kev", former Eagles, Mike Quick and Fred Barnett, performers and the event ended with one of my favorite groups, Kindred the Family Soul!

Fundraiser for St. Martins de Porres Parish

This event was a fashion show/luncheon to support the Women of St. Martins de Porres Parish in Philadelphia.

Tea Fundraiser for the Womens Medical Fund

The Tea Fundraiser for the Womens Medical Fund took place at the Tea Bar in Chestnut Hill. Beautiful quaint cafe with tasty teas to tantalize your tastebuds! It was indeed a pleasure meeting the Tea party guests and learning more about of the WMF.

90degreez Faith n Fashion Soiree

This has got to be one of the best shows I've ever been part of! 90degreez is a faith based network founded by Kimberly Savage. The 90degreez Faith and Fashion Soiree had speakers, entrepreneurs, music, food, FABULOUS designers and of course beautiful models! I loved being around folks who are very positive, educated and driven. This organization is going to do big things in the near future...look out for them: www.90degreez.com

TD Bank sponsors Special Olympics

TD Bank became a sponsor for Special Olympics and some athletes were asked to visit various branches around the city. Zaire went to the Cheltenham branch and was treated like royalty! We went on a tour in around the entire bank! The branch manager and staff were so kind. We had a great time! She even left with gifts and a tray full of cupcakes! Thank you TD Bank!

AHA's Home Runs for Hearts Event

Let me tell you, I know this is a bit odd to hear but baseball is one of my favorite sports. Here I am at Citizens Bank Park volunteering with American Heart Association's Home Runs for Hearts event. I was so excited to stand "on deck", run out on the field and actually sit in the Phillies dugout! Oh yeah, and I event got harrassed by the infamous Philly Phanatic! How awesome is that???!!!!

UCP's All Star Labor Classic Games

I am such a sports chic! I had a ball at United Cerebral Palsy's All Star Labor Classic Game. This event showcased the top high school basketball players (girls and boys) from in and around Philadelphia.

Swim meet at Widener University

I'm also a swim coach with Special Olympics
of Philadelphia. Here I am with my daugther , Zaire
who is a SO athlete. This was Zaire's first swim
meet at Widender University! She got Silver in her first competition! Its a family affair and we all enjoyed that afternoon!!!

Blaze the Catwalk Comedy and Fashion Show

Mrs. Philadelphia County at the Blaze the Catwalk Celebrity
Comedy and Fashion Show with special guest, Lisa Raye!

Philadelphia Mural Arts Tour

Mrs. Philadelphia County with Ryan Defler of the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program. This was part of the Celebrity Mural Arts Tour around the North Philadelphia area. Tamela Edwards was our celebrity host for the event. If you haven't noticed, there are murals all over the city. It was indeed a pleasure having the opportunity to take this tour hearing descriptions of the different artwork and about the artists. Sign up for a tour: http://www.muralarts.org/

Visit to WURD to discuss youth violence in the city

Mrs. Philadelphia County at WURD studios pictured with Al Butler and producer Troy Wilmore discussing youth violence in the city along with Seth Williams.