Healthy Savannah and the YMCA of Coastal Georgia are pleased to announce an appreciation celebration of participants in the organizations’ Community Health Advocate Program will be held on November 12, The event is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. at Kingdom Life Christian Fellowship in Savannah.

WHAT: Participants of Healthy Savannah’s and the YMCA of Coastal Georgia’s Community Health Advocate Program will be recognized in a ceremony featuring Lillian Grant-Baptiste, chair of Healthy Savannah, as keynote speaker. Certificates of participation will be given to 55 community members who have participated in the program over the past year. Framed certificates of excellence will be awarded to 34 participants who have completed the training requirements and are largely still actively working in the community. 

WHEN: Saturday, November 12 from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: Kingdom Life Christian Fellowship, 425 W Montgomery Cross Rd, Savannah, GA 31406

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Lillian Grant-Baptiste is the chair of Healthy Savannah. She recently retired from the City of Savannah, where she created, developed, and championed several community engagement initiatives, the most notable being the Leadership Development Institute. This is an extensive training program aimed at building the capacity of grassroots leaders to effect positive community change. Grant-Baptiste is presently the co-owner of a Touch of Afrika Boutique and Cultural Shop and the founder and principal consultant of Baobab Speaks Consulting Group. She is a sought-after trainer and motivational speaker who facilitates a variety of cultural diversity, youth development and leadership workshops locally, regionally, and nationally. She is also a celebrant and renowned and prolific storyteller who focuses on stories of healing, resiliency, and reconciliation. Grant-Baptiste is known throughout Chatham County for her advocacy for personal, family and community empowerment. She has been actively involved in the Social Change Movement for more than 30 years and serves on the boards of the King-Tisdell Cottage Foundation and the Martin de Porres Society. She is the former Champion of Step-up Savannah’s Faith-based Committee and the past Chair of Healthy Savannah’s Faith and Health Coalition.

OTHER DETAILS: In addition to family and friends of the graduates, community members who are participating in the most recent training session scheduled for November 10 are invited and members of the media are encouraged to attend. This is not a public event due to space limitations.