Partner Spotlight: American Heart Association

Each month we celebrate a local business or organization that supports 88Nine Radio Milwaukee. This month, we chat with American Heart Association.

Hi, what is your name and title at American Heart Association?

Oby Nwabuzor – Director, Community Impact at the American Heart Association.

What is one song you can't stop listening to and why?

"Something Has To Break" by Kierra Sheard & Tasha Cobbs Leonard or "Umi Says" by Mos Def. I’m a lover of music though so in this moment, these are the ones that rise to the top of my rotation.

What are you passionate about in regards to our community and what is American Heart Association?

As a native of the City of Milwaukee, I’ve been able to be front and center in seeing its progress. I have also witnessed the continuity of disparities in our communities. I am passionate about helping our city break free of the systemic challenges that have burdened our communities of color, for far too long. I am proud to work for The American Heart Association, who has made it their mission to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.

We are working hard to be a relentless force in our community, helping to change policies, systems and environments that shape these social determinants of health. Our efforts are focused primarily on healthy food access, mental health, cardiac response and tobacco use.

What are some highlights from 2019 and what's in store for 2020?

This past year, the American Heart Association was able to raise over $1.7 million locally, that will fund lifesaving research, local community efforts, educational programming, and advocacy initiatives. We led efforts to secure funds for healthy food financing in the City of Milwaukee, helped implement nutrition and teaching garden curriculum in local churches and schools, helped pass a Breakfast After the Bell resolution within MPS, and are continuing to bring increased cardiac arrest planning & education to churches and communities of color. All of this community work is in an effort to create a culture of health. We want to create a Milwaukee where more people have access to fresh, healthy foods, safe places to exercise and lower stress levels, all of which would lead to decreased risk for heart disease and stroke.

Why do you choose to support 88Nine?

88Nine is a huge part of the community that we serve. They are not afraid to have difficult conversations and tackle tough topics, and we appreciate their willingness to dig deep and to be meaningfully involved in so many ways, throughout our community.

Interested in joining the 88Nine Radio Milwaukee family of underwriters? Email underwriting@radiomilwaukee.org