Wellness Expert
Donna Richardson
Donna Richardson's involvement with the African American Health Initiative grew out of her own grassroots approach to taking fitness and nutrition issues to the African American community. The initiative's goal is to reach out to African American women and show them the importance of eating right and staying active. This is a goal that Donna is working toward as well, so she was glad to support this important message.
One of the first black women to become a wellness expert, Richardson has starred in 15 top-rated fitness videos and is the author of "Let's Get Real." She has her own Nike shoe, the "Air Max Mundo," as well as her own body-care product line, "Spa Chic." Richardson's latest video, "Sweating in the Spirit," combines aerobics and gospel music, with performances from gospel greats such as Yolanda Adams and Kirk Franklin.
She is also the spokesperson for the American Heart Association and founder of StayFit Kids, a fitness program for inner-city youth. She currently has a self-titled television show on TV One, which airs Monday through Friday at 7 and 7:30 a.m., and Saturdays at 6:30 a.m.
The wife of syndicated radio talk show host Tom Joyner, Donna Richardson
quickly fell in love with aerobics after a friend dared her to try it. Soon
after, she became certified and started teaching at Bally's Health Club
and other health clubs.
In 1986, the Maryland Department of Recreation contracted her to teach
at its three locations. She was consdered one of the top personal trainers
in the Washington, D.C., area. However, she wanted to gain more national
exposure; she and a friend used their savings to produce an exercise
video, "Stay Fit With Charles and Donna," which they distributed
at trade shows and fitness workshops.
Richardson eventually started her own business called DONNAEROBICS, through which she personally trained clients like lobbyists, housewives, politicians and CEOs, and organized classes at hospitals, hotels, school cafeterias, church basements, local businesses and community centers.
In 1992, her career soared into a new direction when she was hired by ESPN to co-host the "ESPN Fitness Pros Show," endorsed my Nike. That year, she also co-starred in her first commercial fitness tape, "Platinum Buns of Steel."
