I couldn’t save my dad’s life, but I’ve committed my own to saving so many more.
In 2005, I lost my father to heart disease and complications from type 2 diabetes. Watching his decline—from a vibrant, loving superhero to a man whose health struggles consumed him and our family—was devastating. It was also a wake-up call. Heart disease doesn’t just take lives; it leaves behind broken families, emotional scars, and financial burdens.
For Black women like me, the statistics are even more sobering: we are disproportionately affected by heart disease, which remains the leading cause of death for women in the U.S. This reality fuels my passion and purpose.
Through my wellness platform, Trap Cardio, I’ve turned my pain into a mission: to educate, inspire, and empower women to take control of their heart health. Dancing was one of the last joyful memories I shared with my dad, and today I dance to honor his legacy and bring awareness to the importance of wellness in our communities.
As a 2025 Women of Impact nominee for the American Heart Association, I am dedicated to continuing this work. I will educate women about the risk factors and warning signs of heart disease and stroke, build a culture of health and wellness in underserved communities, and raise critical funds to support life-saving research and programs.
I couldn’t save my father, but together, we can save so many more lives. This is my purpose, and I am honored to bring it to the American Heart Association’s mission.
Ash