We celebrate the grind, the goals, the growth, the businesses, the titles, and the accomplishments. But too often, the first bill success asks us to pay is not financial. It is our health.
As a woman, and specifically as an African American woman, I understand that this conversation carries an even deeper significance. So many of us are accustomed to being the strong ones, the women who lead, nurture, build, serve, solve problems, care for our families, and show up for our communities. In doing so, it can become far too easy to place our own health at the bottom of the list.
But for me, this mission is more than a statistic or a campaign. It is personal.
I lost my late husband to renal failure and congestive heart failure, with the root cause being uncontrolled high blood pressure. I know firsthand what it means for something as seemingly simple as a blood pressure number to ultimately change the course of an entire family’s life. I know the pain of losing a husband, and I know what it means for children to lose their father and for a family to learn how to move forward without someone they love.
That is why awareness matters to me. Prevention matters to me. Knowing your numbers matters to me.
I cannot change my family’s story, but I can use our story to help change someone else’s.
I want to use this campaign to help change the narrative. I want women who look like me to understand that prioritizing our heart health is not selfish. It is necessary. We deserve not only to build extraordinary lives and legacies, but to be here, healthy and thriving, to experience them.
This campaign is my invitation to redefine success. I want entrepreneurs, professionals, caregivers, families, and community leaders to understand that protecting our hearts is not separate from building our dreams. It is what allows us to live them.
Through the American Heart Association Leaders of Impact campaign, I am committed to using my voice, businesses, relationships, crown, and platforms to raise funds, increase awareness, encourage prevention, and inspire intentional choices that support heart health.
This is bigger than a fundraising total. Every contribution represents the possibility of more time. Another birthday. Another graduation. Another anniversary. Another business milestone. Another family dinner. Another opportunity to love and be loved.
My goal is to create impact that continues after November 4. I want people to leave this campaign asking not only, “What am I building?” but also, “Am I protecting the heart that has to carry me there?”
Because true success is not simply building a legacy. It is being healthy enough to experience it.
I could not change the ending of my husband’s story, but I can honor his life by using our story to educate, advocate, raise awareness, and potentially help another family have more time.
That is my why. That is my impact.
That is why I am leading with purpose, living with heart, and working to make sure…
The Beat Goes On.
Are you with me in making a real impact on the health of our community? Click the Donate button to support the American Heart Association today. Fundraising is open from September 17th at 9:00 am until November 4th at 9:00 pm.