MEET THE HOUSTON ADVISORY COUNCIL
LATONYA WHITE, MA | Heart N Hands Houston Affiliate Chapter Lead
LaTonya White attended Prairie View A & M University an HBCU. She graduated, receiving her Masters degree in Educational Counseling.
LaTonya had the pleasure of Educating students to be great as an Educator & as a Lead School Counselor for 8 years. LaTonya decided to further educate through entrepreneurship. She is a native Houstonian, Motivational Speaker, Travel Magazine contributor, blogger, Podcaster, and serial entrepreneur.
LaTonya is proud to be a native of Houston, where she resides with her husband, children, and 3 fur babies.
Heart Disease is no stranger to her family. Her mother suffered a mild heart attack many years ago and is blessed to live and tell about it today. However, Heart disease did unfortunately claim the lives of both her mother's parents.
LaTonya White attended Prairie View A & M University an HBCU. She graduated, receiving her Masters degree in Educational Counseling.
LaTonya had the pleasure of Educating students to be great as an Educator & as a Lead School Counselor for 8 years. LaTonya decided to further educate through entrepreneurship. She is a native Houstonian, Motivational Speaker, Travel Magazine contributor, blogger, Podcaster, and serial entrepreneur.
LaTonya is proud to be a native of Houston, where she resides with her husband, children, and 3 fur babies.
Heart Disease is no stranger to her family. Her mother suffered a mild heart attack many years ago and is blessed to live and tell about it today. However, Heart disease did unfortunately claim the lives of both her mother's parents.
STACY HALLEY | Heart N Hands Houston Affiliate Chapter Lead
Stacy Halley serves as the Sr. Director of Development for the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at the University of Houston (UH). She has more than two decades of experience in fundraising and program development. Prior to joining the University of Houston, she held various fundraising roles at The Salvation Army-Florida and Texas Divisions, Junior Achievement of Southeast TX, St. Francis Episcopal Day
School, and the American Red Cross.
Stacy works to secure gifts of $25,000 and higher focusing on professorships and scholarship endowments. She earned a bachelor of science in human development and family studies from UH and the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance certification in nonprofit management from the Graduate School of Social Work at UH.
Stacy is proud to be a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and is an UH Alumni Association Life Member. A native of Louisiana, she is proud to call Houston home with her husband, two daughters, and sweet puppy, Maxwell.
Stacy Halley serves as the Sr. Director of Development for the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at the University of Houston (UH). She has more than two decades of experience in fundraising and program development. Prior to joining the University of Houston, she held various fundraising roles at The Salvation Army-Florida and Texas Divisions, Junior Achievement of Southeast TX, St. Francis Episcopal Day
School, and the American Red Cross.
Stacy works to secure gifts of $25,000 and higher focusing on professorships and scholarship endowments. She earned a bachelor of science in human development and family studies from UH and the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance certification in nonprofit management from the Graduate School of Social Work at UH.
Stacy is proud to be a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and is an UH Alumni Association Life Member. A native of Louisiana, she is proud to call Houston home with her husband, two daughters, and sweet puppy, Maxwell.
Jeannette Woodley
At the age of 37 Jeannette was diagnosed with Heart Disease 3 days after giving birth to her miracle child Skylar. Jeannette suffered spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) , a massive heart attack, congestive heart failure, pneumonia, and PE blood clots in her lungs. Jeannette was not given much of a chance for survival; however, she survived. Later in April of 2021, Jeannette underwent a triple bypass open heart surgery. She has since decided to dedicate her time to advocate and help spread heart disease awareness. Jeannette is currently employed with Kelsey Seybold clinic with a background in healthcare billing and registration which included previous employment from Houston Methodist hospital and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Jeannette is currently studying Healthcare Business Administration at Dvry University. Jeannette’s mission in life is to leave a legacy and advocate for her daughter and other young girls who will one day become a part of the statistics of heart disease. |
LaKeidru Blaylock
With over 20 years of experience in healthcare with a specialty in the cancer registry, LaKeidru comes with leadership skills coupled strategic planning and knowledge. During her tenure she served as the Acting Director and Supervisor in the Tumor Registry of a Community Based Acute Care Facility, before transitioning to Lead Tumor Registrar position @ University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. LaKeidru has always been an advocate for ensuring that those in marginalized and economically disadvantage communities are educated and empowered with information to assist them in making better healthcare decisions. Currently, LaKeidru lives in Houston with her two sons, Seyvion and Bryson. She envisions a future where communities are liberated from these destructive cycles and strives to build a strong network of resources to bring awareness in areas that impact our communities the most. She understands that “You Don’t Get Harmony When Everyone Sings the Same Note”, so it will take each of us with our voice, energy and resources to make the change we want to see. |
WHO WE ARE
Our MISSION is to EMPOWER, EDUCATE and RAISE AWARENESS of heart health, heart disease prevention, provide heart health education, and encourage healthy lifestyle choices for young girls aged 10-18 and their families.
We promote physical activity, heart healthy eating and heart healthy lifestyle choices.
Our GOAL is to achieve improved heart health and increased education and awareness in young girls with a focus on heart disease prevention - no. 1 killer of women.
Our MISSION is to EMPOWER, EDUCATE and RAISE AWARENESS of heart health, heart disease prevention, provide heart health education, and encourage healthy lifestyle choices for young girls aged 10-18 and their families.
We promote physical activity, heart healthy eating and heart healthy lifestyle choices.
Our GOAL is to achieve improved heart health and increased education and awareness in young girls with a focus on heart disease prevention - no. 1 killer of women.
Meet our Founder, President & Heart Disease Survivor, Essence Banks
Essence Harris Banks, Our Founder & President
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
Do you know what causes cardiovascular disease in women? What about the survival rate? Or whether women of all ethnicities share the same risk?
The fact is: cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year. That’s approximately one woman every minute!
But it doesn’t affect all women alike, and the warning signs for women aren’t the same in men. What’s more: These facts only begin to scratch the surface.
There are several misconceptions about heart disease in women, and they could be putting you at risk.
The fact is: cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year. That’s approximately one woman every minute!
But it doesn’t affect all women alike, and the warning signs for women aren’t the same in men. What’s more: These facts only begin to scratch the surface.
There are several misconceptions about heart disease in women, and they could be putting you at risk.
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