Born 11 April 1950 in Chicago, Illinois, the 3rd daughter of 9 children, Leona graduated Lucy Flower Vocational High School (All girls) and later completed a two year Associates degree from Prairie State College for Dental Assisting, she worked various jobs and being told during an interview for a higher position that she was not qualified due to her lack of a higher-education, (although she was working that position at the time), she then quit the job immediately and joined the military at the age of 26 where she remained for the next 22 years.

The Military had its challenges and Leona loved taking advantage of the many opportunities that were available in the military, challenges and all; She began her military career as an Armorer, (Supply Clerk). After 4 years of learning the dynamics of military supply and weapons, Leona went to school to become a Medic and loved it. She felt like Florence Nightingale on the hospital floors helping patients and wearing her White uniform, her comfy white shoes, (No boots) and white nurse cap, after that internship was over, the real work began.... She had to do all that she had learned in a field environment, no comfy hospital with whites, but the ole army greens with boots and all in a war time setting which sometimes lasted 1-2 months. She thought it amazing how fast they could set up and prepare for patients when working as a team, it was a real time Medical Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) . Team work was always key, it built long lasting friendships, and growth from the many personalities from all over the world and the training was remarkable.

After 6 years as a Medic, Leona was ready to move on to something different, this time she remained in the medical field and became a nurse. Thinking that this would secure her position in a hospital and not another MASH or Combat Army Surgical Hospital (CASH) she had worked in both. She completed school and was happy to begin work at the hospital on Fort Carson, what a treat. Again feeling like Florence Nightingale she moved through the Emergency Room swiftly, greeting patients with a smile and doing her best to insure their comfort.

The war in Saudi Arabia began and Leona’s husband was one of the 1st to leave, having a 2 year old at the time she focused her energies on her young son, supporting her husband, running the Emergency Room, and taking care of a sick Mother-in-law. Three months after her husbands departure, she received a call from her unit, saying “You must report to work immediately, with gear and duffel bag”, she knew that this meant she would be leaving to go to war, she had trained for this, and here it was...unbelievable (what about my baby?). Within 3 days she was on the plane to Saudi Arabia, her Mother-in-law returned back home to North Carolina with her daughters and a close neighbor cared for Leona’s son and her home.

Going to war was one of Leona’s biggest challenges, to deal with it better she would not let her son or her husband enter her mind, it helped to make it through the days. While working near the oil fires, she received a Red Cross message, her Mother-in-law had transitioned and she would be going home on emergency leave, she had spent 8 months in Saudi Arabia, working in prison camps, oil fires, sleeping in fox holes and since the war was over, it meant that she would not be returning. It was a wonderful feeling, her Mother-in-law was no longer suffering and she would see her husband and her son, God had answered her prayers.

Upon returning home, back to Fort Carson, the hospital was no longer available and being close to retirement Leona took a interim position in Retirement Services as a Counselor, again she went to school to qualify for the position and she loved counseling soldiers, so much that she changed her major in Collage from Nursing to Psychology and received her Bachelors degree before retiring.

During Leona’s tenure in the military she was a major component when it came to Black History Month and Kwanzaa by ensuring that these celebrations were posted and available to all African American Soldiers. While stationed overseas in Korea she had the wonderful opportunity to work with Amerasian children, an experience that was totally fulfilling, She spent hours with the children learning their language, helping with food for the shelter and bringing holiday cheer before her departure to another duty station.

Physical Fitness was where Leona Excelled, making the highest scores (maxing) her test from the time she joined the military up until her departure. Physical Fitness test were designed in age categories, this gave older Soldiers less reputations for push-ups and sit-ups and a slower pace for running. Once a Soldier confronted Leona asking, “why is it that you push so hard on physical fitness test when you don’t have to?” Her answer “Well, if I ever go to war, I don’t think the enemy would ask my age category, therefore, I want to be running up in front with the 18 year olds”. All military schools were geared towards fitness/leadership and training. Leona would also max the fitness test in schools and was awarded on numerous occasions, her last duty position as a counselor prepared her for her exit from the military, but before exiting, she had acquired the Air Assault Badge, A very prestigious award that many Soldiers feared due to its difficulty in passing the course, and she had acquired the Combat Medical Badge, while treating Soldiers (Enemy Soldiers as well) during war time duty.

Leona had reached the highest rank for an enlisted Soldier within 20 years of service, however, she retired as a Master Sergeant due to her not fulfilling the obligation to hold the rank for three years. Upon retirement, she completed her Masters degree becoming a Psychotherapist, and continued her Army regiment of physical fitness, this lead to her next venture in life, Dance/Exercise/Therapy.

Retirement was great, Leona began working for Department Of Defense as the Retirement Service Officer for Fort Carson and the outlining Colorado areas.

While working at Fort Carson she started her private practice doing Marriage and Family Therapy, Play therapy, individual therapy, and dance and movement therapy, however, it wasn’t enough, she was unable to get many clients nor did she have the room for dance and movement...the next step was a dance studio .

Leona retired from the Department Of Defense and opened her dance studio.

In-Balance (Dance/Exercise/Therapy). Leona’s focus has always been to bring about a more conscious African American Community, to help eliminate the health disparities within the Community. Being a member of the Association Of Black Psychologist aided in her passion to help those in need with the introduction of the Emotional Emancipation Circles (EEC’s) for Black people.

These circles were created by the Community Healing Network, Inc (CHN) and the Association of Black Psychologist (ABPsi), who believe that in order to reverse the negative trends in the Black Community, Black people must engage in the struggle for what Dr. Martin Luther King, jr. called “psychological freedom” Freedom from the lie of Black inferiority; freedom from any and all toxic ideas about the inferiority of Black culture, intellect, values, hair, skin and other features.

Because of her passion and genuine concern for the issues effecting the African American Community, she is dedicated to making a difference.