Today we’d like to introduce you to Carla Peterson.
Hi Carla, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hello, my name is Carla Peterson I’m born and raised in Savannah, Georgia. From 2012 to the present I served as the CEO/Founder of Growing and Loving Sisters, Inc. known to others as GALS, INC. We are a nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization.
In my role as the CEO/Founder, my primary goal is to focus on increasing the awareness of Sickle Cell Disease by bringing the awareness to the forefront of my community and other surrounding areas.
With Sickle Cell Awareness we had rallies, races, educational seminars, and visits to the Chatham County school system. In 2014, I began to increase Sickle Cell Awareness by bringing the Sickle Cell Mobile Bus to Savannah to test individuals throughout the community. I then began to increase the organization by including a chapter… which is known as Mini GALS. They are taught to become young ladies…which includes programs of self-care etc.
Over the years, Growing and Loving Sisters have launched multitudes of community rallies, to stop the violence, back to school, and stopped the bullying campaign. Feeding the homeless, providing Christmas for the less fortunate, etc. In 2015, I entered the organization in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and won an award.
GALS, INC was honored at the Martin Luther King Jr Freedom Dinner and Dance Gala in Savannah, Georgia. From 2017 to the present, GALS started their yearly quest to Atlanta, Georgia to meet with State Legislators and House Representatives in rallying at the State Capitol about Sickle Cell Awareness.
Organization over the years and even under a Global Pandemic, GALS found a way to continue remembering those loved ones who left this earth from Sickle Cell Awareness by doing a balloon release with each warrior’s name on. Today we, continue to help those in need. GALS, INC is focusing on doing a Fashion Show and Benefit Concert as a fundraiser in September 2022.
The CEO/Founder, Carla Peterson has been a keynote speaker with many other organizations as well as an awesome mentor for the youth. Her motto in life is “Live life but don’t let life live you!!!”
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not always been a smooth road for Growing and Loving Sisters – GALS, INC. The struggles have been real. Getting the community to believe in us and what we do and stand for has been the hardest.
But we gain their trust by making our way into the community by shouting about what we do. Along came the volunteers who gave us extra pairs of hands in the community. We are a highly successful organization that has several partnerships.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Carla Peterson has an MHP- Mental Health Profession BA-Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology.
MBA-Master of Arts Degree in Business/Minor Health Care Management. Ph.D. – She is currently enrolled in Healthcare Management.
What are your plans for the future?
GALS, INC’s future is to incorporate special programs for our youth mentor program. These programs will help the youth find a location to be able to display their artistic skills.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.gals2013.wixsite.com/gals
- Instagram: Instagram.com/gals_inc
- Facebook: Fb.com/growingandlovingsistersinc
- Twitter: twitter.com@galsinc2013
