TAKING A STAND FOR HEALTH: CHRISTINE GENTRY

TAKING A STAND FOR HEALTH: CHRISTINE GENTRY

Social Media can be a wonderful thing!

I’ve been watching our first Crystal’s Champion of 2020, Christine Gentry, over the past year, and the few times we’ve met in real life, I’ve been beyond impressed. From her volunteer work to her passion to educate and serve, she brings her family along to demonstrate to them the power of community.

She recently was appointed by the Mayor of Lawrence to serve on the Affordable Housing Advisory Board, a cause near and dear to this Realtor’s heart! And, her work with the Douglas County Health Department and the events she’s hosting in the community are sure to be both watched and recognized as sincere and worthwhile.

Hope you enjoy the following Q&A Session, as I most certainly did!

What is your professional title/role?

My work at the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department is as Community Liaison to a grant funded by the Kansas Health Foundation.

What inspired you to work in this field?

I believe this opportunity is a manifestation of the love I have for my community. Issues of creating inclusion, exposing patterns that perpetuate the maltreatment of marginalized and minoritized identities, and adding to leadership opportunities for our Black girls are affairs I take a personal interest in. As long as these situations persist as a problem requiring solutions, I will continue to move in a direction to protect those most affected by them.

Hmm, that’s a great question! My children can best answer that because whenever possible I’m bringing them with me to community events. Now that they’re in their teens and are young adults, I can share experiences with them that include social interactions and service to our community. We’ve been through some difficult years as a family, and I look forward to enjoying every minute I get to spend with them.

What is the One Lesson you want your children to learn from what you are doing, and how does this contribute towards your legacy?

I aspire to break generational traumas affecting my family. I want my children to understand they’re worthy of more. A childhood including sexual abuse will end with me. My children will know what unconditional love means, so they can set conditions and healthy boundaries, as well as walk away from unhealthy relationships.

Do you have any upcoming events in January/February that you’d like to promote?

Come out to an all-Black show on Thursday, January 2 nd , at Replay Lounge, and support Black excellence in our community with Bad Alaskan Alex Kimball Williams. BLACK Lawrence also has some upcoming events in February for Black History Month (Shout Out To Crystal’s Spot), so please be watching out for these, too!

Crystal’s Champions is dedicated to strong and inspirational women and organizations that are making a difference in the community. To nominate a Champion, email Crystal at Crystalsavesthedeal@gmail.com