By Clara Schattschneider
On Saturday Prosper Waco celebrated the long legacy of the late Henrietta Napier in the Waco community, through the first Henrietta Napier Awards Breakfast and Health Expo.
The event began with a breakfast where Marlon Jones served as the master of ceremonies. The breakfast, attended by about 100 people, included the reading of a city proclamation signifying July 16 as Henrietta Napier Day. The proclamation was read by Mayor Pro Tem Kelly Connolly Palmer. In addition, McLennan County Judge Pro Tem Ben Perry and Commissioner Pat Miller read a proclamation from the county. Sherry Williams gave a tribute to Ms. Napier, and the following people were awarded Henrietta Napier Changemaker awards:
Dr. Becky Scott (Baylor University and Waco Family Medicine) - Social Work
Colleen Foleen (Texas A&M AgriLife) - Nutrition
DeShauna Hollie (Grassroots Community Development) - Education
Delissa Smith (Neighborworks) - Housing
Cris Houston, Esq. (Waco Family Medicine) - Social Justice
Dr. Emilie Cunningham (Waco Family Medicine) - Public Health
Dr. Iliana Neumann (Waco Family Medicine) - Healthcare
Laura Danforth (Community Healthcare of Texas - Providence Hospice) - Unsung Hero
Sherry Williams - Lifetime Achievement Award
In addition to the award winners, the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District was recognized for its outstanding work during COVID.
The health expo, held at Carver Indian Springs Middle School, was open to the public and included numerous organizations from the Waco area. About 150 people attended and 80 volunteers, exhibitors, and educators worked at the expo.
Health exhibitors from a variety of healthcare organizations and nonprofits were at the expo. There were education sessions by Waco Family Medicine (patient's rights), the Public Health District (diabetes management), Baylor (mindful meditation), and Impact Research (fatty liver disease). AgriLife gave tours of the community garden.
“Prosper Waco was honored to be a part of the planning committee that put together the first Henrietta Napier Awards Breakfast and Health Expo. Mrs. Napier was remembered at the breakfast for her steadfast dedication to the community.” — Hermann Pereira
Deneece Ferrales and Prosper Waco would like to thank Waco-McLennan County Public Health District, Transformation Waco, Diana R. Garland School of Social Work at Baylor, GGS Flowerhut, Texas A&M AgriLife, Texas AHEC, Central Texas Association of Black Social Workers, Carolyn Scott, Sherry Williams, Marlon Jones and St. Luke's AME, Sascee's Southern Style Eatery, VASA Coalition, Ascension Health, Waco Family Medicine, Waco ISD, the over 40 Healthcare providers, non-profits, and health insurance providers and volunteers who participated in the expo including the Waco Police Department Neighborhood Engagement Team.
Clara Schattschneider is the adolescent health communications coordinator at Prosper Waco.
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