Recognition banquet also remembers two pioneers in Black Women's health

THE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED “PRIME TIME SISTER CIRCLES” will celebrate its’ first Philadelphia class in a ceremony on Saturday February 18, 2012,at 8pm, at First District Headquarters located at 3801 Market Street. Tickets are $45. More than 100 African American women successfully completed the health intervention program and will be recognized in a special banquet celebration that will include music and dancing. The “Prime Time Sister Circles” empowered the women to “Create a Legacy of Wellness” through a series of workshops. The women met for twelve, two hours sessions each week and participated in interactive lessons focusing on stress management techniques, increased physical activity, and improved nutrition. The classes were lead by specially trained women from the Philadelphia community who were paid a stipend. The “Prime Time Sister Circles” were founded by internationally recognized Dr. Marilyn Gaston and Dr. Gayle Porter of the Gaston & Porter Health Improvement Center in Washington, DC (http://www.gastonandporter.org ). The esteemed doctors were in Philadelphia last June for the Black Women’s Health Alliance “Creating a Legacy of Wellness: Mind Body & Spirit” kick-off campaign designed to engage city and community leaders so they become concerned about the health of their constituents. Those leaders were also encouraged to begin instituting wellness activities and programs in their arenas.

“Self-help” sometimes sounds like a catchphrase.  For Dr. Nathaniel J. Williams – “Dr. Nat” to his friends and fans – it’s a calling.  The author of seven books (including his latest, “Attaining Your Personal Best”), TV talk show host, an in-demand inspirational speaker, and father of seven has lived a story like no other, and his commitment to helping others find their way successfully has made his remarkable story all the more meaningful.

Orphaned at a young age and a product of the New York City foster home system, Dr. Williams rose from his humble beginnings to earn three masters degrees and a doctorate.  Utilizing his experience with the public welfare system, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a passion for helping others, since 1993 he has been the President and CEO of HumanWorks Affiliates, Inc., a cluster of eight corporations focused on human services. HumanWorks employs over 200 people and has an operating budget of over $10 million.

A new era of leadership begins for Philadelphia’s premiere storytelling organization

Following the completion of its 10th Anniversary First Person Festival, First Person Arts proudly announces a new Executive Director, Jamie J. Brunson.  Ms. Brunson will assume the position in January 2012.  She succeeds Vicki Solot, founder of the organization, who has served as its Executive Director since 2000 and is now retiring. 

Zerhonna Shaette Terry just graduated from the Philadelphia School for the Performing Arts and started her first semester of college this semester. Her major is english, and she aspires to be a teacher. Zerhonna also won the humanitarian and poetry writing award at her commencement ceremony held at the Merriam Theater this past june. She is a youth leader at her church in west philadelphia and is a part of the youth poetry group that travels throughout the city and abroad to perform. She is a very talented and social minded young lady who has been compared to Maya Angelo as a poet. Zerhonna is a leader, lover of humanity and her future is bright!

Do you know of a child or group of children doing amazing things? If so, we would like to feature them as the Born For Greatness Youth of the Week... Send a short bio & photo to:

Tamara@BFG-youth.com

For more information about Born For Greatness Youth Empowerment Resources, visit:            www.BFG-youth.com