And the Healing Angel Award Goes to...

The Health Initiative is proud to announce its 2009 Healing Angel, Jemea Dorsey, CEO and the Center for Black Women’s Wellness (CBWW).

Ms. Dorsey grew up in Brooklyn, New York and attended college at Wesleyan University. She then obtained her M.S. in Urban policy.

First hired as a coordinator for their teen pregnancy program in 1996, she assumed the position of CEO of the CBWW in 2005.

With a career-long dedication to community organization and her commitment to black women and underserved families, Ms. Dorsey and the CBWW were perfectly positioned to partner with the Health Initiative. As a resource for the Health Initiative’s Lesbian Health Fund, CBWW provides twice weekly gynecological and physical examination as well as a depression screening to women referred by the Health Initiative.

On Sunday, October 4, Jemea Dorsey will accept the Health Initiative’s Healing Angel Award at the 2009 Fall Garden Party Fundraiser. Congratulations to Ms. Dorsey and all the healing angels at the CBWW.
 

You can be there to watch Jemea Dorsey receive this award, as well as enjoy good food, good music, and the company of good women, all while raising money for a good cause.  Tickets are on sale now.  Click here for purchase options.

Real Woman

The Health Initiative is pleased to present its September 2009 Real Woman, Cleo Coleman, who stays healthy through her passion for exercise and eating well.

In fact, Cleo is passionate about many things. She cites exercise, sewing, fashion, travel, reading, and jazz as some of her many interests. She hopes to turn her interest in fashion into her second career as a buyer, planner, or a regional sales manager in the fashion industry.

Born and raised in Connecticut, Cleo got her Bachelor’s degree in computer science from Boston College. She worked for IBM for 28 years before the recession triggered a layoff that freed Cleo to pursue her dream of entering the fashion industry.

Cleo is grateful to IBM for bringing her to Atlanta. She got to know Atlanta when IBM sent her here for training. She loved it so much that when she got a chance, in 1996, she moved here and made Atlanta her home. An only child, Cleo, her mother, and her “Yorkie-Chon” (half Yorkie, half Bichon Frise) Zoey all live in Smyrna. In addition to her mother and Zoey, Cleo also claims as family two close friends and many other friends from all walks of life.

Cleo is particularly proud of the changes she has made in her lifestyle, changing her eating habits, developing her passion for exercise, and losing 20 pounds in the process. One of her most recent accomplishments was completing a two-day bike ride benefitting Multiple Sclerosis. This cause is particularly close to her heart since one of her friends has MS.

Cleo’s positive attitude shines as she moves through her life. She loves leading a healthy life, surrounded by nature and friends who support her. Research show all those things contribute to a person’s longevity. We wish Cleo a long and happy life doing the things she loves.
 

Cleo Coleman, Cyclist

Cleo recently rode in a MS cycling fundraiser.