Raising Awareness on Respiratory Issues

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Karshyra Marshall, Founder of Breathe Ohio Inc., located in Columbus, OH, USA.

What's your organization, and who are your members?

Breathe Ohio Inc is a facilitator of culturally relevant information and strategies for the management of the chronic respiratory disease. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit that aspires to be a leader in providing educational information and training in managing Asthma & COPD episodes.

Tell us about yourself

Hi! My name is Karshyra Marshall, and I am the Executive Director of Breathe Ohio Inc. We help African-American men and women who have Asthma & COPD symptoms to breathe easy so that they can live an active, bold, and healthy lifestyle. I am the Beyoncé of breathing. I will help you breathe easy through exercise, holistic management, and breathing techniques. Although Beyoncé's "B" stands for band, my "B" stands for Breathe Easy.

I began my journey of researching asthma while undergoing my Master's degree at Franklin University. I wrote an article on the prevalence of Asthma and how it has impacted the residents in the state of Ohio. The article focused on possible treatments that have helped others and myself and have been proven to be effective. Did you know that underserved populations are 3x's more likely to be hospitalized or die from asthma? African- Americans are 1.5 times more likely to have Asthma and 5 times more likely to visit the ER due to having symptoms. Having Asthma, I vowed to create change within my community. As a lifelong asthmatic, I am on a mission to create a nation of healthy children and adults through my non-profit, Breathe Ohio Inc. As someone who has witnessed firsthand the injustice of the social determinants of health in our communities of color, I am calling on all local institutions to re-examine their role in ensuring the health and well-being of our most valuable resource.

What's your biggest accomplishment as an organization?

As the new face of Asthma, I love how people welcome me to provide knowledge on asthma and what things they feel will help their health if they just switch up their diet. I have been in the community for a few years now, championing healthy lifestyles and making sure that people recognize that even simple changes can greatly improve their quality of life. I have a lot of passion and love for people, especially the ones that have shown me that they believe in what I am doing and are willing to support my movement to increase awareness on asthma in black communities. My most proud moment thus far was when I had the opportunity to speak as a panelist for a Black-Owned business called "Black Health Lit" in Ohio. It was an amazing experience to see so many leaders and entrepreneurs come together in order to try and help combat some of the issues within our community. The feedback from attendees was great as well!

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being an organization?

Connecting asthma patients with resources and helping them find innovative ways to manage their condition can be a challenge. An important first step is having the essential resources, funding, and help from those in our community. Asthma is an often-debilitating lung disease that has become more prevalent as a result of global climate change and increasing air pollution. Its also a significant health issue in impoverished regions, where the living conditions deteriorate public health infrastructure and prevent people from easily accessing education and treatment options. It's a disease that is increasing at alarming rates in poor communities and has been swept under the rug for years by local offices. We aim to tackle this problem head-on by providing reliable information about asthma, its causes, and solutions for those afflicted by this disease.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow an organization today?

Know your WHY?! and remain consistent with your goals.
Create a written plan, and be sure to build your support network.
Know your PURPOSE....find what you are good at and stick with it!

Where can people find you and your group?

Website: https://breatheohioinc.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BreatheOhio614
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/BreatheOhio614/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.