Tasha Blackmon, ATHENA 2020 Recipient

2020 ATHENA Leadership Award Recipient Tasha Blackmon President and CEO, Cherry Health

BY ANNA GUSTAFSON • PHOTO BY MIA JANKOWIAK

TASHA BLACKMON KNOWS WHAT IT IS TO LEAD.

She knows what it means to bring others to the top with her, to serve her community, to empower those who have been disenfranchised and marginalized.

 e recipient of this year’s ATHENA Leadership Award, Blackmon is the president and chief executive o cer [CEO] of Cherry Health, a Grand Rapids-based nonpro t that provides health services to vulnerable populations facing signi cant barriers to receiving medical care.  roughout her 15-plus years at Cherry Health, Blackmon has dedicated her professional life to advocating for equitable access to medical care—in general, and, now, at a time when COVID-19 has disproportionately a ected communities of color.

A dynamic and collaborative leader, Blackmon oversees and drives the operations at Cherry Health—Michigan’s largest federally quali ed health center. Cherry Health provides services to about 70,000 patients in Barry, Eaton, Kent, Montcalm, Muskegon, Ottawa, and Wayne counties.

Blackmon grew up in Grand Rapids and is a graduate of Ottawa Hills High School. She studied healthcare administration at Michigan State University, receiving her

“Together as women leaders, we have the ability to change systems for generations to come.”

Bachelor of Science there before going on to receive her Master of Business Administration from Cornerstone University. Prior to joining Cherry Health, Blackmon worked at Baxter Healthcare for 10 years. She went on to hold six positions at Cherry Health before becoming CEO in 2018. In her  rst 90 days as CEO, Blackmon visited every single Cherry Health center across the state and spoke to all 947 employees. Since then, she has continued to elevate conversations and actions around health justice and access to care, as well as advocate for her sta and patients.

In addition to serving as the president and CEO of Cherry Health, Blackmon is deeply engaged with numerous professional and community groups, including the Michigan Community Health Network Board of Directors and Operations Committee, the Michigan Primary Care Association Board of Directors and Personnel Chair, the National Association of Community Health Centers Subcommittee on Health Center Financing and Committee on Health Center Excellence and Training, the Children’s Advocacy Center Board of Directors, the MHA Advisory Committee for Grand Valley State University,  e Econ Club Board of Directors,  e YMCA Board, the Black Impact Collaborative Health and Wellbeing Committee, the United Way Steering Committee, and Restoring Faith Ministries, among others.

In Her Words

WOMEN’S LIFESTYLE: How does it feel to be recognized by ATHENA? TASHA BLACKMON: I am humbled to be considered for this award. Just to be thought of in the same context as other women leaders who I admire and who have made signi cant contributions to the community is an honor.

WL: How do the ATHENA principles resonate in your professional life? TB: ATHENA’s foundational principles resemble many of my personal and professional values, speci cally  erce advocacy, authentic self and giving back. As women, we often don’t think that we are enough. I was raised by my parents to have a strong sense of self. It is my goal to embolden other women to share that strong sense of self, knowing that they are enough.

WL: What does ATHENA mean to you? TB: ATHENA develops and supports women to help other women achieve their professional goals.  ese women have been where other women, like myself, aspire to be.  eir support is uplifting and inspires me to pay it forward by mentoring and sponsoring other women to reach their full potential. ATHENA women have the power to shatter the glass ceiling for other women.  ey share experiences (both good and bad) to prevent other women from common pitfalls. ATHENA provides a place for women to see what real leadership looks like; it is a place where women can develop professionally, and where they leverage their networks on behalf of other women leaders.

WL: Why is it important to continue to recognize professional women in our community? TB: It is imperative to acknowledge the ongoing achievements of professional women because their contributions have paved the way for many other women to excel in their careers. Women are multifaceted; we have always been able to rise above our circumstances to make signi cant contributions to our families, organizations and our community. Illuminating the strength women bring to their roles as leader, nurturer and the ultimate multi-tasker engenders all women on the professional continuum to fearlessly pursue their passion!