Community AmbassadorsLearn about the community ambassadors who help empower adults to live their healthiest lives.

Join our Community Ambassador Network

We invite you to join and spread the word about an exclusive network of trusted leaders, organizations, and businesses in the Black community to help us empower more adults to live their healthiest lives. As a “Live to the Beat” Community Ambassador, you can help those in your community lower their risk for heart disease and stroke. As an Ambassador, you would:

  • Sharing heart-healthy messages and resources with your community.
  • Promoting opportunities for your audiences to win cool prizes for taking healthy steps.
  • Sharing your outreach to inspire others.
  • Gaining national recognition and a chance to earn prizes of your own.

Check out the “Live to the Beat” catalog of resources to see the materials you will have access to. Visit bit.ly/communityambassadorsnetwork to express interest and get started.

Community Ambassador Network

In the Spotlight

We are proud to feature these ambassadors who are making a big difference reaching people online and in their local community.
Mary Ponder headshot
Mary Ponder
I live to the beat because I think it's important to take care of our hearts. Despite my physical limitations, I plan to participate in the American Heart Walk this year. I believe that we should encourage others to "Live to the Beat." I have done so by sharing the educational materials with the community and hope to continue to do so in the next year.
Nikia White-Spots headshot
Nikia White-Spots
I live to the beat because it lets me know I am in CHARGE. As a 48 year old woman who had a stroke a year ago, 5 months after my father's passing from renal failure, I know how it feels to be at a disadvantage where your health is concerned. I have lowered my daily stress levels, lost weight, and started putting me first. I have been facilitating a weekly, peer-lead exercise program here in my community for a few years now . We help others learn about healthy eating and exercise. We also track our progress and hold each other accountable.

Meet Our Ambassadors

Hundreds of ambassadors across the country have raised their hands to help their communities Live to the Beat. They are educating people about small steps to prevent heart attack and stroke as part of their day-to-day work.

  • Alison Austin
    Albany, GA, PRUITTHEALTH PALMYRA NRC
  • Haneda L. Garner
    Alexandria, VA, HG Travels
  • Michelle Bush
    Americus, GA, West Central health District/Public Health
  • Demaris Watson
    Anderson, IN, Sari-Heart Foundation Inc
  • Debra Franklin
    Apex, NC, Bicycle Oven Company
  • Ada Dieke
    Atlanta, GA
  • Adam Petty
    Atlanta, GA, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity (AAC)
  • Asia Rivers
    Atlanta, GA, Morehouse School of Medicine
  • Cicily Newby
    Atlanta, GA, The Faith Center (Tucker)
  • Dana Austin
    Atlanta, GA, Center for Global Health Innovation
  • Denzel Veale
    Atlanta, GA, Village Medical
  • Felicia Drummond
    Atlanta, GA, Ditch, Inc.
  • Jamilah Burnly
    Atlanta, GA, Sigma Gamma Rho Soroity
  • Jimmie Simmons
    Atlanta, GA, Grady Behavioral Health
  • Lila Gilliam
    Atlanta, GA, Sigma Gamma Rho (Spelman College)
  • Tina Ann Cecelia Kerr-Thompson
    Atlanta, GA
  • LaShawna Stowe
    Bakersfield, CA, African American Network of Kern County
  • LaShawna Stowe
    Bakersfield, CA
  • Pamela Xenakis
    Baltimore, MD, Ascension St Agnes
  • Sal Shah
    Baltimore, MD, Leadership Health
  • Julianne M. Haydel
    Baton Rouge, LA, Haydel Consulting Serivces, LLC
  • Pat Greene Pinckney
    Beaufort, SC, Healthy Churches Consortium
  • Sarah Lane
    Bellingham, WA, Health Ministries Network
  • Dianne Toney
    Birmingham, AL, First Baptist Church of Zion City
  • Kathy Dennis
    Bloomfield, CT
  • Tiffany Christian
    Boone, NC
  • Kitty Mahoney
    Boston, MA, Massachusetts Association of Public Health Nurses
  • Maiya Coilton
    Boston, MA, THE BLACK BRAIN HEALTH COLLECTIVE
  • Ashley Carmenia
    Charlotte, NC, Carmenia Consulting LLC
  • Shanelle Brown
    Charlotte, NC, Greater Mt Moriah Primitive Baptist Church
  • Sherree Bradley
    Charlotte, NC, Cityblock Health
  • Tamyca Danielle Brown
    Charlottesville, VA
  • Latisa Dewitt
    Chicago, IL, Lily of Valley Foundation
  • Nykesha Jones
    Chicago, IL, Rush University Medical Center
  • Katrina Watson
    Christiansburg, VA
  • Dr. Faith Richard
    Cleveland, OH, Healthcare Access Worldwide Inc
  • Patrice Sirmons
    Cleveland, OH, PSD Consulting Group
  • Emily Sims
    Columbia, SC, Partners for Change of the Carolinas - Project Wellness
  • Rachael Habash
    Columbus, GA, Walk with a Doc
  • Theresa Jacobs
    Conyers, GA, Georgia Primary Care Association
  • Juan C. Escandón
    Davenport, FL, IMA
  • Ravenn Worthen
    Deridder, LA
  • Chris Espersen
    Des Moines, IA, NACHC
  • Zakiya Jenkins
    Des Moines, IA, Grace Fitness
  • George Days
    Detroit, MI
  • Jametta Lilly
    Detroit, MI, Detroit Parent Network
  • LaToyia Shannon
    Detroit, MI, JNS Health Solutions
  • Patricia Williams
    Detroit, MI
  • Natalie Andrews
    Dover, DE, Diabetes and Heart Disease Prevention and Control Program
  • Marshauna Sagesse
    Duluth, GA, MGS Wellness, LLC
  • Cedra Starks Cisco
    East Orange, NJ, East Orange Department of Health and Human Services
  • Imani Cabrera
    East Orange, NJ, East Orange Department of Health & Human Services
  • Sade Boss
    East Orange, NJ, East Orange Department of Health & Human Services
  • Janessa VandenBerge
    Eau Claire, WI, Eau Claire City-County Health Department
  • Cori Tallman
    Elkins, WV, Randolph-Elkins Health Department
  • Lu Tramill
    Evansville, IN, Agape Healthcare Solutions
  • Stephanie Barboza
    Fall River, MA, C.L.U.B Blessed Services Inc.
  • Crystal Edmonds
    Fayetteville, NC
  • D.S. Wilson
    Fot Lauderdale, FL, D Satterwhite Wilson Consulting Group
  • Jennifer Cooper
    Frederick, MD, Hood College
  • Desiree Williams
    Granite City, IL
  • Betsy Richter
    High Point, NC, YWCA
  • William Crenshaw
    Houston, TX, Medium Man LLC
  • Erica Smith
    Indianapolis, IN
  • Dr. Bianca Simmons
    Jackson, MS, Infinite Rehab and Wellness
  • Mary Williams
    Jackson, MS
  • Dr. Juanita Singleton, PhD
    Kansas City, MO, REGAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS
  • Shannon DiMaggio
    Kansas City, MO, reStart Inc.
  • Susan Grinslade
    Lancaster, NY, University at Buffalo SON, Buffalo Community Health Equity Center
  • Skarlet Walls
    Las Vegas, NV, For the People Health Services
  • Dr. Obumneke Amadi-Onuoha
    Laurel, MD, Discover Health Global Initiative
  • Vaughan Sanders
    Lilburn, GA, New Mercies Christian Church
  • Michael Scott
    Little Rock, AK, ARORA
  • Brenda Maull
    Los Angeles, CA
  • Renee Poole
    Los Angeles, CA, Association of Black Women Physicians
  • Amy Bornhoft
    Lynchburg, VA, CAN
  • Kinzetta Cobbs
    Lynchburg, VA, COMMUNITY ACCESS NETWORK
  • Patricia Diane Galloway
    Macon, GA, Bethel CME Church- Social Concerns Ministry
  • Tasha Edwards
    Madison, AL, Hip Healthy Chick
  • Tanisha Hooker
    McDonough, GA
  • LaTonya Horne Agbagwu
    Meridian, MS, Greater Meridian Health Clinic, Incorporated
  • Pedro Martinez-Clark
    Miami, FL, Amavita Heart and Vascular TM
  • Velma Pete
    Missouri City, TX
  • Jia Johnson
    Mobile, AL
  • Leshaundria Smith
    Montgomery, AL, Fearless Fitness
  • Ariel Clark
    Nashville, TN, Tennessee Pharmacists Association
  • Edgar Romero
    New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers Graduate Society of Healthcare Leaders
  • Rebecca Thompson
    New Glarus, WI, WI Community Health Empowerment Fund
  • Karen Green
    New Haven, CT
  • Megan Wadsworth
    New Orleans, LA, LSU School of Public Health
  • Nikia White-Spots
    New Orleans, LA, Desired Connections
  • Barbara George
    New York, NY, NYU Langone Hospital - Long Island
  • L. Nicholas
    New York, NY
  • Mamadou Soumahoro
    New York, NY, NYCDOHMH Adolescent Health Unit
  • Jamelia Lewis-Ridgird
    Newark, NJ, South Ward Promise Neighborhood
  • Liza de la Cruz
    Norfolk, VA, Virginia Department of Health
  • Geraldine Bell
    Norway, SC, Cedar Grove MBC
  • Sara Eve Sarliker
    Olympia, WA, Washington State Department of Health
  • Denise N. Youmans
    Orangeburg, SC, Practical Compressions™
  • Kimberly Breuer
    Orlando, FL, EliteCare Health Center
  • Samantha Cotler
    Orlando, FL, AdventHealth
  • Thelma Reis
    Phoenix, AZ, Arizona Department of Health Services
  • Taunita Renee Trotter
    Pittsburg, CA
  • Denise Sanders-Boutte
    Port Arthur, TX, South East Texas Health Resources
  • Deborah Martin
    Portland, OR
  • Mikal H. Shabazz
    Portland, OR, Inner City Muslim American Movement and Associates
  • Pastor Renee Ward
    Portland, OR, More Than An Overcomer
  • Ujuonu Nwizu
    Portland, OR, Oregon Health Equity Alliance
  • Lorraine Middleton
    Poughkeepsie, NY, United Way
  • Erin O'Brien
    Providence, RI, RI Nurses Institute -Nurses Middle College
  • Meg Sherdan
    Providence, RI
  • Q'Vaunda Curry
    Quincy, FL, Vitamin Q Fitness
  • William Pertet
    Raleigh, NC, NC DPH
  • Tiffany Copeland
    Richmond, VA, Sports Backers Fitness Warriors
  • Alisha M. Hanes
    Rock Island, IL
  • Anita J.
    Sacramento, CA
  • Mary A. Ponder
    Sacramento, CA, River Oak Center for Children, Inc. - Carmichael, CA
  • Elaine Eng
    San Diego, CA
  • Nancy Asare
    San Diego, CA
  • Lisa Word
    San Francisco, CA, Bridgespan
  • Pamela M. Cross, MSHS
    San Francisco, CA, The Wellness Ministries, International Inc
  • Brandon Mabey
    Shohola, PA, HOSA
  • Margaret J. Furdge
    Sledge, MS, Mt. Zion Baptist Church
  • Jamie Austin
    St. Louis, MO
  • Debbie Williams
    Starke, FL, Florida Department of Health
  • Francys Johnson
    Statesboro, GA, Magnolia Baptist Church
  • Cynthia Williams
    Stockton, CA, San Joaquin General Hospital
  • Mallory Abbott
    Toledo, OH, Global Heart Hub
  • Catina Nicole Burrell
    Tyrone, GA
  • Malinda W. Knight
    Vidalia, LA, Temple of Deliverance Apostolic Ministries
  • Johanna Segovia
    Washington, DC, National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)
  • Trinna Kirkland
    Washington, DC, NurseFromBirth
  • Tammy Williams
    West Chester, PA, Envision2bWell Inc dba EnvisionWell
  • Lezlie Mestdagh
    West Des Moines, IA, Iowa Heart Foundation
  • Margo Wagner
    Wichita, KS, Quality Insights and Ascension Via Christi
  • Melanie Burnett
    Winfield, KS, William Newton Hospital
  • Loki Sahafi
    Woodinville, WA