Meet the Heart N Hands Board of Directors
Our Mission is to heighten awareness of heart disease in our community by reaching organizations interested in educating girls and their families about heart health and heart disease prevention
Meet Our Founder & President - 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 Banks
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 Banks
Heart N Hands Board of Directors
Kya Moller
Vice President |
Dr. Sheryl Martin-Schild
|
Brunisha Jones
|
Sherry Green
Secretary |
Dr. Kelly Smith
|
Alyana Samai
|
Nina Balan
|
Joi Scott
President, Junior Board |
Pamela Scott
Treasurer |
Patricia Smith, M.Ed
|
Dr. Tripti Gupta
|
Judaea Doqui
|
Founding Heart N Hands Board of Directors
Essence Harris Banks, MBA Nicoye Banks Adonis C. Expose’ Militiza Garcia Brunisha Jones
Chandra Kerley Ridley, MBA Adele G. London Timekia Mallery Dr. Sheryl Martin-Schild, PhD, FANA, FAHA
Kya Moller Joi Scott Enjoli Sims Patricia Smith Dr. Raymond J. Strong, PharmD, MBA, FASCP
Heart N Hands Staff
Heather K. Myers, Operations Manager
|
Ari Booth, Program Coordinator
|
Nina Balan, Fitness Expert, CPT
|
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.
|
|
|