listen to identify people’s needs,” she says. During high school, Mayo shadowed a nutritionist in a local hospital where she learned the connection between healthy controllable behaviors, like diet, and improve outcomes. “Growing up, I had everything I needed, not necessarily everything I wanted. I learned that disparities existed. I learned the importance of eating healthy to improve my overall well-being. That was a light bulb moment for me,” she recalls. Mayo attended college at UNCW, studying community health education (now public health studies) and minoring in chemistry. She says she chose UNCW to live at the beach where she still spends her free time. Mayo’s master’s degree in public health is from East Carolina University. COVID-19 has unexpectedly adjusted Mayo’s strategies and projects at the center. Taskforce and committee discussions have moved to Zoom. “Working virtually is a big challenge because we spend so much time in the community, but we have done a good job adapting,” she says. The center is about to kick off a needs assessment for Bladen, Columbus, and Robeson counties to understand the obstacles to reducing the spread of COVID-19. The project will develop a targeted marketing campaign to impact behavior. Planned for fall is Food for Thought, an interactive food experience, modeled after Hunger Banquets created by Oxfam, a confederation of charitable organizations focused on alleviating global poverty. Attendees will participate virtually in discussions on access to healthy food, one of the biggest health issues for Wilmington’s communities of color. Participants will also experience firsthand the disparities in meals across New Hanover County’s social classes. Mayo and her team are looking forward to occupying a new building on campus when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. “This will be the first time all of the staff will be in the same space. I am excited about the opportunity to interact face-toface and be part of the brainstorming that happens when we are all together,” she says, adding, “The Center for Healthy Communities is a true community partner. We listen to understand community needs and together we can decrease health disparities.” W WILMAmag.com
OCTOBER 2020
WILMA
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