We LOVE Our Volunteers!

When organizations are the recipients of true volunteers, people who voluntarily undertake or express a willingness to serve, these volunteers are highly valued and greatly appreciated. In this issue, we’re proud volunteers,

Peggy Hill Woodson is an educator who, with her husband, pastors All Souls Church International Ministries. They also lead their newly founded non-profit ministry, The Peggy Y. Woodson Special Needs Adult Enrichment Center.

Woodson passionately inspires the special needs community to achieve at their highest capacity. Her welcoming personality allows her to relate to people of diverse backgrounds.

She is a professional networker who leads the expansion of an international business. She has been married to Willie Woodson since 1999.

What is your volunteer role at BPACF?

I serve in the marketing department.

Why do you volunteer?

I am passionate about empowering, inspiring, and encouraging the next generation to achieve at their highest ability.

Who inspires you? Who are your volunteer role models?

I am inspired by individuals who have conquered overwhelming odds. My mother, Alene Hill, has always inspired and encouraged my sister, TaRita Johnson, and me to persevere beyond our physical weakness or mental fatigue. My BPACF volunteer role models include the late Yolanda Burt (who embodied an inner strength and external glow that made everyone who knew her feel uplifted) and Adrianne Sims (whose professionalism, warmth and class embody the highest quality of excellence). of Cleveland where he served as an Executive Assistant for Councilpersons Patricia J. Britt, Mamie J. Mitchell and briefly for Council President Blaine A. Griffin.

What advice do you have for others who want to volunteer?

Volunteering is the greatest opportunity to pay it forward to the next generation of professionals.

He has also worked as a Theatre Technician for CCC’s Metro Campus. He serves on the board of Fairfax Renaissance Development Corporation, as a Development Sub-Committee member and volunteers as an usher at Karamu House.

Crawford is active in his church Bethany Christian Church (DOC) and the Fairfax community.

What is your volunteer role at BPACF?

Servant

Why do you volunteer?

Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Remmie Crawford graduated from John Hay Ext. High School, attended Cuyahoga Community College (CCC), and graduated from Columbus Area Vocational Technical School in Columbus, Georgia with a degree in Graphic Arts.

Crawford is a Vietnam Veteran and recently retired from the City

I enjoy serving others. It’s really fulfilling.

Who Inspires You? Who are your volunteer role models?

My primary inspiration was my grandmother. She was always assisting others whether family, friends, or strangers.

What advice do you have for others who want to volunteer? Make yourself available. The next time someone asks you to be a part of an event, just say yes.

Incorporating Art into Your Wellness Routine: A Guide for Black Professionals –Part I

by Jennifer Wainwright

As a middle-aged professional Black woman who has experienced her fair share of grief and stress over the years, I understand firsthand the importance of prioritizing health and wellness in our community particularly. I’ve watched loved ones battle various medical and health issues. I’ve also had my own struggles with mental, emotional, and physical wholeness.

These experiences have taught me that taking care of ourselves is not a selfish endeavor, but rather an act of love for ourselves, our families, and communities. It should not be viewed as a luxury, but as a necessity. For so many of us, it is our only ticket to freedom from the bondage of chronic health conditions and or mental illness.

The importance of taking care of ourselves to improve our quality of life and build resilience against stressors that negatively affect our health is hard to overstate and easy to overlook. While there are many ways to approach health and wellness, one aspect that we often sleep on is the powerful connection between the arts and our overall wellbeing. Research has shown that engaging in the arts can have a significant impact on our physical, mental, and emotional health.

For example, a study published in the Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing found that participating in arts activities can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. 1

Additionally, a report from the National Endowment for the Arts found that individuals—particularly older individuals—who participate in the arts have better overall health outcomes, including a lower risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. 2

And it’s not just the experts who are saying this. Many of us have personally felt the benefits. There’s a reason why paint and sip parties have become increasingly popular among friends and why tackling a hands-on, home renovation project that requires our creativity can be incredibly therapeutic.

These activities allow us to express ourselves through art and find joy in the process, which can be healing and fulfilling. It’s no wonder so many of us turn to the arts during difficult times, as it can provide us with a sense of comfort and calm when the world around us seems crazy.

But what exactly is the connection between the arts and health? It comes down to the way engaging in the arts stimulates the brain and promotes a sense of wellbeing. Participating in art activities can activate the brain’s reward system, which releases feelgood hormones such as dopamine and endorphins, which in turn, helps to reduce stress and anxiety, improve cognitive function, and boost our mood. In fact, a study conducted by Drexel University found that just 45 minutes of art-making can significantly reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol. 3

For Black professionals, this connection between the arts and health is particularly important. We face unique challenges related to racism and discrimination, which can take a toll on our mental and emotional wellbeing. By engaging in the arts, we can find a creative outlet for our emotions and experiences, while also broadening our worldview and enriching our quality of life.

All in all, weaving art into our wellness routine is an effective and rewarding way to prioritize our health and wellbeing. It can be as simple as setting aside some time each week to engage in a creative activity, or as involved as taking a class or joining a community of artists. Whatever approach you take, the benefits of artistic expression are clear. Not only can it reduce stress and anxiety, but it can also promote cognitive function and overall health. So don’t overlook the power of the arts when it comes to your wellness journey – your mind and body will thank you for it.

Jennifer Wainwright is a writer who is passionate about storytelling, finding the joy in every experience, and encouraging others to do the work to become the best versions of themselves.

2 https://www.arts.gov/impact/arts-and-health