It was in March 2006; I was supposed to go to lunch with my friends. However, I decided not to go again. I remember crying uncontrollably at my desk. Why was I crying? I did not know the answer, but I was feeling very sorry for myself. I became pretty sheltered and not wanting to hang around people at all. I had constant nightmares and car horns. Even a year later from combat still scared me. I would wake up in the middle of the night, calling for my mom or a family member. However, I thought I was good at masking until this day; I became face to face with another person noticing my behavior. It wasn't what she said, but how she said it made me realize that I had a problem and needed to get help. In the military, we were taught getting help was a sign of weakness, but in fact, I've learned it was just the opposite. I've tried starting my masters and stopping on several accounts because I couldn't concentrate or even not sure of myself and my direction in my career. Hello, my name is Chriscilia Cox, and I'm a combat disabled veteran who has PTSD. It took me a while to accept. That day gave me enough strength to get help and continue to somewhat of everyday life. Although I still was in complete denial in my intake, I couldn't help but break down and admit I was about to go downhill. God knows I may not be here today if I hadn't done so. Each day is a new beginning, a new start, another victory in this walk of life. I've learned that normalcy is easy but overcoming or dealing with situations builds character, personal courage, and tremendous strength. You are doing your civic duty by living to be a testament to someone else and even saving a life. I am a testament to current graduate students (Emory University), small business owners( Founder and CEO SUMA Consulting LLC), mother (daughter Trinity), wife, and most of all, friend to myself.

MJ EARTH'S SONG These times the new Earth's Song has never been more apparent. What's going on has sent the alarm to Wake up everybody. As I turn myself into myself, it causes me to look at the man in the mirror reminding me of the African medley that I must embrace for my very own existence. A heritage, a culture, I can't ignore as I was born into it by human nature. However, I believe that optimistically, that I will have lovely days ahead. I smile because now more than ever the realization is that We are the world.

It was September 21, 1989, I had an experience that will change my thought process forever. The mysteries of nature came right to my doorstep after visiting several other countries. It was a creepy, dark, windy and, raining evening. I had to evacuate the island on which I grew up. Hurricane Hugo, a Category 4 hurricane at landfall was A CLASSIC CAPE VERDE TYPE storm that devastated the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and, both South and North Carolina. During this period, I realized that nature is to be respected and actually we are codependent on each other. I became fascinated with her and what she had to offer. Engaging her was not an option. This is when I knew I wanted to be in the science profession forever. “The purpose of education…is to create in a person the ability to look at the world for himself, to make his own decisions.” James Baldwin. My parents and community environment instilled this in me at a very young age. However, I didn’t understand the power of this key statement until later in life. I’m an environmental and public health professional with more than 18 years of experience in managing sustainable environmental health programs, overseeing the development of environmental health policy, and providing environmental health compliance. I had the honor of serving in the United States Army. During this time, my section implemented initiatives resulting in over $7M of cost savings for the Department of Defense. Notably, I aligned four medical facilities, including the establishment of the first joint service medical treatment facility in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. In addition, I was ranked in the top 10% of mid-level managers for five years, securing the #1 spot from 2012-14. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Allen University (Cum Laude), a Master of Arts in Management and Leadership from Webster University, and is currently in pursuit of an Executive Master of Public Health degree from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. The Executive Master of Public Health is an online program available from the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. I became interested in pursuing the Executive Master of Public Health because of their recognized curriculum that prepares public health officials to make a difference in global, national, and local communities. This program will enable me to build my skills by studying, collaborating, learning from peers in the field. Additionally, it will diversify and enhance my understanding more in public health from the various perspective of others in the United States and abroad. As a student, I will begin with the core public health courses that focus on understanding and building expertise of important public health principles. After the core public health courses, I will take the program-specific courses that focus on individual public health concentrations. The focus areas of the master’s program will help me contribute to the growth of the public health field. This program is designed for the working professional which offers a master-level public health degree for the busy professional without sacrificing what you get in a residential experience. The Prevention Science emphasis will enable me to emphasize the development and the assessment of community or population-based interventions. Prevention Science focus will give me skills to be innovative and do research to improve health and public health services. Program Planning and Evaluation focus will help me to develop, improve, and evaluate public health programs. Program Planning and Evaluation focus will enable me to become a productive and responsible public health professional capable of implementing and evaluating health education and promotion programs for the public. Courses place a strong emphasis on behavior theories and models to real-life public health situations and settings. Ultimately, an Executive Master of Public Health from Emory University will enable me to achieve my career goals in that it will develop my leadership skills to make a significant difference in global and local communities. Overall, this master’s program will give me the skills and competence necessary to contribute to the public health field for a lifetime.

Being part of a community means being a part of something greater than you. It’s about sharing, growing, and opening up to who you are and what you believe in. Hopefully, it would result in a relationship. My relationship with my small business community is steadily growing with integrity. SUMA has provided various training for governmental entities for over 20 years. Just in Liberty county Georgia, SUMA has collaborated, served on boards, participated, volunteered, mentored, and partner with agencies going on seven years. We believe that generally protecting the environment is a collective responsibility. During this pandemic, consumers are becoming more aware of the environmental issues affecting their homes, businesses, and lifestyles, and are now more than ever making requests to incorporate sustainability into their daily operations. My goals are as followed: 1. Build a consistent Brand 2. Offer results-driven environmental consulting services at a competitive price. 3. Focus on quality controls and ongoing operational excellence. 4. Develop long-term client relationships that generate referrals and repeat business. 5. Secure niche within the industry of Public Health consulting Ultimately, I hope to achieve to become one of the most respected and innovative environmental consulting firms in the southeastern region of the United States for starters area. My desire to become a landmark business in Ludowici, Georgia, and become known not only for the quality of our environmental consulting services but also for community citizenship and charity involvement. After all, our environmental relational interaction between us and Earth depends on us being good stewards towards existence.