After being unemployed for over two years and receiving several reject letters from jobs I applied for, I decided to add volunteer service to my resume. This was some of the most rewarding work I’d done in a long time. After volunteering with several o
rganizations under Hands-On Birmingham’s umbrella, I signed up to volunteer at a local police station in Birmingham, Ala. I got lost on my way to my assigned area, the city jail. I went into the city’s fitness center to get directions and I never left. I asked the director to change my assignment with the officer over my volunteer program. I committed to cleaning the center for him every day in exchange for his help with my weight loss journey. I already had some basic knowledge of chronic illness, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, because of my paternal grandmother and I was on a mission to avoid them. Every morning I went to the fitness center, I got a free health education. I learned about nutrition, fitness, and myself. After almost two years of volunteering at the fitness center, I shed my first fifty pounds and kept them off. I eventually lost over 100 pounds using the same methods I learned in the fitness center. My new lifestyle choices caught on with my family who noticed a drastic change in me. In this moment, I knew what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I compiled all of the information the fitness professionals exposed me to and started a community service project, FitnessFleet.
I live by the philosophy “When I learn, I teach.” Every day I wake up with state of my community in mind. Many people ask where my passion come from and the simple answer is love. Dr. Rema Reynolds was one of the first people to encourage me to see myself in every person I meet. When you love what you do, you pay attention to more details. Having a heart filled with humility and introducing yourself to humanity is so important when you are doing any service-oriented job. Before I could take my work to the community level, I started with helping myself. FitnessFleet started as a community service project that lead to me winning a scholarship from the “Do Something Organization”. I later incorporated FitnessFleet in Birmingham, Ala. and New Orleans, La. I created my “cool” job, which is a healthcare administrator at my medical fitness company, FitnessFleet, Inc. This position allows me to volunteer as often as I like and provide direct patient care. I have over eight years of experience as a certified nursing assistant. Since its founding, I have collaborated with the American Diabetes Association (Alabama/Mississippi Chapter), Common Ground Health Clinic in New Orleans, La., National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, Girl Scouts of America, and Friends and Family of Louisiana Incarcerated Children. I am a contributing writer for HBCUstory.com and NOLA Black Professionals.com.
I’ve testified before the Louisiana education committee on behalf of restorative justice in public education. I was a guest speaker at the “Take a Professional to School Day” hosted by NOLABlackProfessionals.com and New Orleans South African Connection at a local New Orleans high school in March 2014.
In the past, I was featured on Real Health magazine, HBCUstory.com, TheHopeScholarship.org blog, BlackDoctor.org’s UHELP initiative, TheBlackManCan.org and the Eddie Francis podcast show, NPR’s Tell Me More with Michel Martin, TheRoot.com
FitnessFleet staff and I are in the process of launching a community wellness initiative in New Orleans, La. that will provide well woman care, health promotion (early recognition of pregnancy, pregnancy planning, nutritional support, communicable disease and chronic illness treatment), language translation, transportation, and support lifestyle changes for a healthy pregnancy. Post delivery care, breastfeeding, home visit schedules, ensure that there is safe sleep environment for babies.
Our initiative will also target patients who are newly diagnosed with chronic illness and/or have a family history of chronic illness. We will work specifically with children ages 2-17 and adults ages 18-55. This program will will encourage our patients to increase physical activity and buy local produce, which is fresher and higher in nutritional value.
We pride ourselves in providing quality community heath education and medical fitness services. With the help of organizations like Black Enterprise, we can help motivate patients in our target cities to adhere to a healthier lifestyle.
Learn more about Kaleb’s organization, FitnessFleet Inc, by visiting their website.
