CHEER CHAMPion of the Week: Chelesa Presley

Behind this warm smile and big heart is our CHAMPion of the Week, Chelesa Presley.  She was born in Columbus, MS and raised in southeast Lowndes County near the Columbus, MS.  She attended Mississippi State University where she majored in Industrial Engineering. Chelesa loves country living, wide open spaces, and closeness to nature, and currently lives in southwest Panola County, MS.   

Chelesa works as an Outreach Coordinator, Certified Lactation Educator, and Certified Child Passenger Safety Instructor at Tougaloo College/Delta HealthPartners Health Start Initiative.  She will also sit for the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) exam in 2016.

As a member of the CHAMPS team she serves as a ROSE Community Transformer in which she enjoys the way the community and families who are directly affected are involved throughout this CHAMPS movement of change.  Her biggest accomplishment thus far has been “mobilizing the community and getting families informed about CHAMPS; thus, allowing them to network and advocate the CHAMPS program with their medical communities.” 

CHAMPS is reaching new levels each day, as this process matures expectations and goals increase simultaneously.  Chelesa states “my goals for CHAMPS are to enlist more hospitals, OB clinics, and community participates in becoming more baby –friendly minded thus becoming family – friendly. I also would like CHAMPS to maintain these relationships by continuing to offer communities the latest information in maternal-child health.”

“My personal goals in life are prepare my children for achieving their dreams and passions in their lives, by giving them a foundation in faith, education, respect, and compassion; and to one day become a midwife. By doing so, I would like to my own my own birthing center where doulas, midwifes, childbirth educators, lactation counselors, nutritionists, and doctors work together to bring back the natural birthing process. I am hopeful, that my life endeavors will encourage and give others hope in spiritual matters.”

Chelesa is a wife to Julian Presley and mother of 3 to Javon 19, Ciera 15, and Jensen 11.  Although Chelesa is goal-driven and works hard, she takes time to attend church related activities, volunteer, and support her children in their activities, traveling, camping, and reading.  One day she would love to travel to the island of Bora Bora, because the beaches and islands possess some of her favorite things, nature and open spacesJ!

“I love meeting, helping, and serving people. I also believe you can never stop learning and giving back.”  This statement embodies a true CHAMPion of the Week.  Chelesa we appreciate the time, effort, and work to you pour into CHAMPS to see that it not only is successful, but beneficial to the community.  Congratulations Chelesa Presley for being our CHAMPion of the Week and well wishes on your​ journey to becoming an IBCLC!

Note: This post has been transferred from CHAMPSbreastfeed.org.  There were originally 5 comments.  You can view them in this document. 

---