Meet the Heart N Hands Board of Directors & Team
Our Mission is to heighten awareness of heart disease in our community by reaching organizations interested in educating young girls about heart health and heart disease prevention
Meet Our Founder - Essence Harris Banks, MBA
Essence Banks is a heart disease survivor and advocate since September 2004. At the age of 30, Essence was in the prime of her life, the picture of health when she started experiencing shortness of breath and heart palpitations during her workouts. Then one day as she was carrying her son, Jaden inside she could not catch her breath and felt fluttering in her chest - she knew something was wrong. Her primary care physical at the time ran several tests - NOTHING - then told her she was having panic attacks and to take 3 days off of work. Essence knew there was more to story so she contacted a cardiologist who discovered over 90% blockage in 2 arteries. Today, Essence is a supporter and advocate of heart health awareness in women and works with organizations such as American Heart Association (Executive Leadership Team for GoRed, Circle of Red) and WomenHeart Spokeswoman and Champion -National Coalition of Women with Heart Disease.
"Heart disease can affect anyone at any time, know the warnings signs, risk factors and LISTEN to your body ." Essence
Essence Banks is a heart disease survivor and advocate since September 2004. At the age of 30, Essence was in the prime of her life, the picture of health when she started experiencing shortness of breath and heart palpitations during her workouts. Then one day as she was carrying her son, Jaden inside she could not catch her breath and felt fluttering in her chest - she knew something was wrong. Her primary care physical at the time ran several tests - NOTHING - then told her she was having panic attacks and to take 3 days off of work. Essence knew there was more to story so she contacted a cardiologist who discovered over 90% blockage in 2 arteries. Today, Essence is a supporter and advocate of heart health awareness in women and works with organizations such as American Heart Association (Executive Leadership Team for GoRed, Circle of Red) and WomenHeart Spokeswoman and Champion -National Coalition of Women with Heart Disease.
"Heart disease can affect anyone at any time, know the warnings signs, risk factors and LISTEN to your body ." Essence
Heart N Hands Board of Directors
Essence Harris Banks, MBA, Founder & President, Heart N Hands, Inc.
Nicoye Banks, Actor, Philanthropist
Jody Braunig, Executive Director, Girls on the Run New Orleans
Adonis C. Expose’, Funkshuns, LLC Event Consultants
Tripti Gupta, Ochsner Medical, Cardiology
Brunisha Jones, Junior & Youth Ambassador, Dillard University New Orleans Class of 2018
Chandra Kerley Ridley, MBA, Chief Operating Officer, Human Resources Professional
Adele G. London, Director of Business Development, Good Work Network
Timekia Mallery, Special Events Coordinator, HNH Vice President
Dr. Sheryl Martin-Schild, PhD, FANA, FAHA, Dr. Brain, Inc., Touro Infirmary & New Orleans East Hospital
Kya Moller, Supply Chain Supervisor, Entergy Services, Inc., HNH Treasurer
Alyana Samai, Stroke Coordinator, Jefferson Medical
Joi Scott, 10th Grade Student & Youth Ambassador – De La Salle High School
Patricia Smith, St. Charles Parish School System
Dr. Raymond J. Strong, PharmD, MBA, FASCP, Director of Pharmacy
STAFF:
Nina Balan, Special Events Coordinator
Briyana Newby, Special Events Coordinator (Washington, DC)
Our Ambassadors
Jarvis Green, Oceans 97 owner and president, Jarvis Green, began his career in the shrimp industry after completing a successful career as an NFL defensive lineman. Green grew up in the small town of Donaldsonville, Louisiana. Upon graduating from Donaldsonville High School, he established himself as one of the best defensive high school players in the state, he was recruited by LSU where he became a standout defensive lineman on the Tigers defense. Green is fourth all-time in total sacks at LSU with 20, and holds the freshman record for most sacks in a single season with eight.
But, business was always on his mind, and he let nothing deter him from completing his degree in Construction Engineering at LSU. Then, the New England Patriots drafted Green in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft and he became an integral member of the team’s defense including their Super Bowl XXXVIII and XXXIX Championships.
Following his retirement from the NFL in 2010 he was introduced to the shrimp industry on the Gulf Coast of Louisiana when he owed a favor to a friend. He was immediately captivated and learned the business from the ground up. In 2015 Green started Oceans 97 (the 97 is a nod to his Patriots jersey number).
In addition to Oceans 97, Green also runs the Jarvis Green Foundation, which he launched in 2006. The foundation, which has numerous partners in New England, focuses on children and teaching them how to have an overall healthy lifestyle, including what they eat, as well as providing resources to single mothers who have been affected by natural disasters.
Green has a son and two daughters, and divides his time between Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Providence, Rhode Island.
But, business was always on his mind, and he let nothing deter him from completing his degree in Construction Engineering at LSU. Then, the New England Patriots drafted Green in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft and he became an integral member of the team’s defense including their Super Bowl XXXVIII and XXXIX Championships.
Following his retirement from the NFL in 2010 he was introduced to the shrimp industry on the Gulf Coast of Louisiana when he owed a favor to a friend. He was immediately captivated and learned the business from the ground up. In 2015 Green started Oceans 97 (the 97 is a nod to his Patriots jersey number).
In addition to Oceans 97, Green also runs the Jarvis Green Foundation, which he launched in 2006. The foundation, which has numerous partners in New England, focuses on children and teaching them how to have an overall healthy lifestyle, including what they eat, as well as providing resources to single mothers who have been affected by natural disasters.
Green has a son and two daughters, and divides his time between Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Providence, Rhode Island.
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