Posted on February 8, 2012
Harlem World
The Divas, MPH (Making our People Healthy) New Year, New You Annual Women’s Empowerment Brunch took place Saturday, January 28, 2012 at the wonderful Londel’s in Harlem, where the food, décor and service were amazing! The Divas, MPH hosted a beautiful, well-planned event joining professional women who commonly support the organization in enabling women to take a sincere interest in attaining and sustaining total health and fitness.
The brunch kicked off at noon with ladies mingling and spending time getting to know one another. Event hosts and organizers, Ms. Latressa Fulton, Ms. Mahalet Kebede and Ms. Joy Williams kicked off the events festivities with a warm welcome. Following, each attendee was asked to introduce themselves and share their “theme song of the year”. The women named songs like “Living Your Life Like it’s Golden,” by Jill Scott, “If You Believe”, by Lena Horne, “Feeling Good”, by Jennifer Hudson and of course my pick “Just the Way You Are,” by Bruno Mars. Each attendee discussed the inspiration behind their “theme song” and how that inspiration was incorporated into the events theme. The energy in the room was indescribable, and the stories shared inspirational.
“…people who are the most psychologically satisfied are those that focus on what they control within themselves…”
The guest speaker was none other than Dr. Janet Taylor an accomplished psychologist who up until recently practiced at Harlem Hospital. Dr. Taylor’s talk followed brunch supporting the events theme: “Do more, be more, live more!” encouraging the attendees to “push through their fears”. Dr. Taylor asked the group “What holds you back? The answer: Fear! ” The talk was inspiring and very well-received. Dr. Taylor encouraged the group to focus on the positive. She advised “people who are the most psychologically satisfied are those that focus on what they control within themselves”.
Following the talk I had the opportunity to sit down and talk with Dr. Taylor one-on-one. Below is an excerpt from our interview. Dr. Taylor is an amazing spirit! She’s warm, humble, sincere and an overall positive person. Speaking with her was valuable and truly humbling.
Kass: Good afternoon Dr. Taylor, I was very inspired by your talk this afternoon. You touched on many important points, including why people of color are often apprehensive about seeking psychiatric services.
Dr. Janet Taylor: Good afternoon Kass, well I am glad to hear you were inspired.
K: What inspires you?
JT: My grandmother, worked very hard and never complained. She stressed the importance in interacting in the community and always encouraged me to take full advantage of all opportunities.
K: What does today’s theme: “Be more, Do more, Live more” mean for you?
JT: It’s any everyday theme for me, a momentous opportunity to focus on being the best health I can be!
Dr. Taylor and I concluded our interview and returned to the event to take part in the final activity for the afternoon. Shortly thereafter the hosts closed the program out and as the ladies were exiting I noticed how in the few hours they had all come together, they were no longer strangers as they all left as new found friends. Inspiring indeed.
If you missed this year’s event please be sure to attend New Year, New You, 2013!
Divas, MPH seeks to empower women and hosts an array of wellness promotion programs for young professional women of color. You can find out more about Divas, MPH by accessing
www.divasmph.org.
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Thursday, February 9th 2012 at 9:49AM
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