Cheryl Emanuel, was a senior public health/community engagement leader working at the forefront of policy, advocacy, and equity in Public Health. Mrs. Emanuel joined the Mecklenburg County Public Health (MCPH) in 2000. She brings broad-based expertise to public health as an inspiring, hands-on leader.

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With extensive experience in developing programs and policies that foster an inclusive environment, Mrs. Emanuel works effectively with persons from diverse cultural backgrounds toward achieving team goals, helping families develop the building blocks for lifelong health. 

 

Mrs. Emanuel has provided strategic leadership in developing Public Health’s approach to diversity, equity, inclusion and collaboration for healthcare. As she puts it: “Everyone deserves healthcare, access and resources regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender and economical status.”

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She is visionary and founder of Village HeartBEAT, the 2019 Grand Prize Winner of Aetna Foundation’s Healthiest Cities Counties Challenge Award. Village HeartBEAT was designed as a collaborative program organized with a multi-level framework that involves Faith-Based Organizations as a core stakeholder in addressing chronic disease prevention in various communities.

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Through this initiative, Public Health and the Faith Community utilized health behavioral patterns as a shared principle to tackle the root causes of obesity. This goal was achieved through integrated changes in policies, practices, social supports, and the physical environment.

 

Her wide range of public health experiences, an ability to think imaginatively about opportunities, authentic community engagement principles and her compassion, has enriched and strengthen the ability of impacted populations to move forward.

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This is especially true for the most vulnerable and communities of color—to not only have a seat at the planning table, but to have their voices and solutions as an integral part of Mecklenburg County’s prioritizing and funding of pressing and unmet healthcare needs.

 

Cheryl Emanuel is a leader who is the recipient of numerous health and community related awards. In brief, these include her designation as a NC Health Disparities Fellow-Duke Global Health Institute; Martin Luther King Jr. Community Spirit Award Recipient; Mecklenburg County Unified Community Award Recipient; Urban League of the Central Carolinas- The Legacy Leadership Award; Women’s History Hall of Fame Award- National Assoc. of Professional Negro Women & Levin Museum of the South; NC Health Equity-Region VII Faith-Based Excellence Award; Region VII Health Equity Council; Healthy Churches Best Practice Award; Radio One Excellence Award-and a co-author for several book chapters on public heath role in health equity while also featured as a speaker at national conferences.

 

Mrs. Emanuel received an MS in Adult Education from the N.C. A&T State University School of Public Health, and a BS in Community Health Education from East Carolina University, Greenville, NC.

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Mrs. Emanuel is Diamond Life Member, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and an advocate for active living. She has an affinity for jazz and loves time with her family, especially her granddaughters. Most importantly, as a servant leader, she shares a deep passion and a commitment to serve the most vulnerable and impoverished populations regardless of race, gender, age or socioeconomic status.