All tagged Social 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.
Heather Rogers is an artist who draws presidents along with fun facts about them that she has learned over the years. She set out on a mission to read a book about every U.S. president and ended up with a blog, merchandise, and a following of 1,200 people on Instagram. She is working on releasing a book that documents the fun facts she has learned while reading about the presidents and their lives. Her hope is that her story will inspire other people to keep with their passions and skills rather than letting them fade out as they get older.
Meet Mama G, a British pantomime dame performer working to make pantomime a year-round performance rather than only Christmas. She is a former semi-finalist on season 15 of “Britain’s Got Talent.” She also performs for children all over London with the goal of bringing happiness and inclusivity to her performances. Her main hope with her shows is to inspire the next generation to be kind and accepting of people from all walks of life.
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.
Meet Rob LaRay, singer, songwriter, and recording artist who brings black boy joy to the music industry as he strives to spread positivity while elevating Black culture in America. LaRay says he created a new genre he calls “Take Home Music.” He seeks to create music that can be taken home and reflected on for days to come. LaRay has released two albums, performed for audiences all over the United States, and opened for actress and vegan food star Tabitha Brown on her book tour and restaurant opening. Read more about Rob LaRay and how he lives his dream in real-time.
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.
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.
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.
Cary Michael Robinson is an artist based in Washington D.C. whose passion and dedication for the expression of himself and others is unmatched. Read more to find out about his journey to becoming an artist as well as where this path has taken him.
Wife and mother Andrea Lyons have made it her personal mission to make sure Black children are represented at their birthday parties. Her business, Anna+Pookie does exactly that. Anna+Pookie creates and sells party decorations that allow Black children to see images that look like them as whimsical characters such as princesses and superheroes.
Imani Vanzap, also known as social media’s number one auntie, is spreading love and positivity through her platform and her merchandise line, BECOME! Vanzap accentuates whatever she says by clacking her grandiose signature BECOME fan.
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.
After facing what could be considered one of the most painful and shocking experiences of her life, widow Michele Neff Hernandez founded an organization called Soaring Spirits to help other widows find community amongst each other.
Rob Kenney has built a platform based entirely on sharing a father’s love. On his YouTube channel ‘Dad, How Do I?’ he shares advice, affirmations and tutorials with his audiences.
Rebecca Kunos is the advisor of the Lake Howell ASL (LHHS ASL) Honor Society. Originally, it started as a club run by students and still is! Kunos is a self-proclaimed “paperwork lady.” Just like it sounds, the students come up with the ideas and Kunos does the paperwork. LHHS ASL Honor Society's mission is to teach people about sign language and the deaf community through various events. They host their own events as well as participate in some hosted by the county.
Is that Demi Lovato? Nope, it’s Demetria Cherry, a drag illusionist. By using some makeup, a costume, and a wig, Cherry is able to create the impressive illusion that she is Demi Lovato. Cherry’s drag shows stay true to Lovato’s story and encourage people to live authentically no matter how hard it may seem.
