The Village News:

Who We Are:

My Hair My Health PDX is a 501(c)(3) organization founded in May 2021 with the mission to create a safe space of healing and celebration that inspires Black women and their families to live their best lives.

Our vision is to build a collaborative village through events, resources, networking opportunities, workshops, and classes that uplift our mind, body, and souls while connecting us to ourselves and one another.

Cause:

To inspire Black women and their families to build a collaborative village that better defines their journey of holistic health and wellness without restriction.

Mission:

To empower 8,000 Black women in Oregon ages 25-55 through workshops, training, and resources to increase their health knowledge, make informed decisions on well-being, and build a collaborative village of support that connects women to themselves and to one another.

Impact:

We will co-create and host workshops by partnering with community organizations, health and wellness agencies, professionals, and community members; provide opportunities for My Hair My Health PDX training to volunteers and staff; and distribute monthly resources online to empower an additional 10,000 Black women by increasing, identifying non-toxic personal care products, accessing curated resources and building a network of support.

Learn More:

Fill out the form to be part of
My Hair My Health PDX Village Council

APPLY NOW

MHMH PDX

My Hair My Health PDX fulfills its mission by producing events that inform and inspire! We are a movement encouraging Black women to define and promote a standard of beauty that is uniquely theirs while celebrating their beauty from the inside out. Each event offers tools and resources to:

(1) Heal body, mind and soul

(2) Increase knowledge and skills to combat

barriers to health promoting activities

(3) Improve self-image and self-acceptance

(4) Promote healthy interactive activities that

model positive health behaviors

DONATE NOW

My Hair My Health pdx community programs started in 2017 and received it’s 501(c) (3) tax exempt status (EIN: 87-0893545) in JuNe of 2022.

meet our team

ADEJOKE BABATUNDE, MPH
Cofounder and
Executive Director

As a Nigerian-American, Adejoke prides herself in knowing the importance of community—big and small. Her journey with My Hair My Health PDX started in 2015. Adejoke works at Oregon Health Authority as a Continuous Quality Improvement Coordinator in the Maternal & Child Health section.“Seeing women of the African diaspora unite to create something meaningful to our communities is magical and rewarding on many levels!”

JOYCE SENIOR, PHD
Cofounder and
Deputy Director

Proud Afro Latina, born and raised in Costa Rica. She has a BS in Human Nutrition from University of Costa Rica and a PhD in Food Technology from Clemson University. She has lived in Oregon since 2016, and thanks to her role as Nutrition Education Program Coordinator at OSU she became part of the planning committee for My Hair My Health PDX, which has allowed her to connect her passion for nutrition education with her desire to serve and uplift the African Heritage communities across Oregon.

LILAH WALSH
Partnerships Support Lead

Lilah Walsh joined the My Hair My Health PDX team in 2019 and is currently supporting partnerships and program development in her role as Partnerships Support Lead. She previously supported MHMH PDX as the Communications Coordinator, helping to develop relationships through social media and logistical coordination. Lilah has worked in community-based wellness program development, since 2012 when she joined then First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" initiative as an AmeriCorps VISTA. Prior to that, Lilah worked as a soccer coach, trained as a massage therapist and pursed education in holistic health traditions such as Traditional Chinese Medicine, focusing on the healing properties of food and herbs. Lilah has an A.A. in Dance from Cabrillo College in Aptos, California, a B.A. in Politics from the Univeristy of California, Santa Cruz, and is pursuing a master's degree in public policy.

Heather Dainas

Office Manager & Events Coordinator

Heather has worked in wellness and education for over 25 years. She spent the majority of her time working with people in early childhood to higher education. Her background includes administrative, student leadership, health/ wellness initiatives and community planning. Since coordinating the 2023 My Hair My Health PDX, 7th Annual Event, Heather has joined the team as Office Manager and Event Coordinator, bringing her infectious enthusiasm and eye for detail to the organization. She has lived in Washington since 2020 with her husband and two kids, having moved from a 20 year tenure at Oakton College.

Brian Butler

Marketing Manager & Event Producer

Having moved to Portland in November 2023 after 30+ years living and working in the UK and Europe, Brian brings a wealth of experience to My Hair My Health PDX. In his time he has worked in Marketing and produced events across a number of industries from, Film & Television, Hospitality, Professional Services to Higher Education. Having produced My Hair My Health’s 2023, 7th Annual Event and Marketing collateral for the event, Brian now joins the team as Marketing Manager and Event Producer. “I am incredibly excited to be a part of the My Hair My Health PDX team, helping them to grow and expand the brand.”

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In One Oregon: Many Stories, One State, we share stories that broaden and deepen our understanding of what it means to be an Oregonian. Created and hosted by Open Campus from Oregon State University's Extension Service.