Special to the AmNews
Mother, wife, activist and personal fitness trainer—Donna Heyward is truly a creative and determined soul. Her husband is Nicholas Heyward Sr., whose son, Nicholas Heyward Jr., was murdered by police for playing cops and robbers when he was 13 years old. Since then Donna has joined her husband’s fight for justice.
When Donna and Nicholas were 13 they dated, but life separated them for about 40 years. During that time Nicholas married and had his own family, and Donna did the same. However, they found their way back to each other after Nicholas’ son was murdered and each divorced from their own spouse.
After being together for more than 13 years, they tied the knot Sept. 12, 2015. They have been fighting for justice and protesting for change together. Although Nicholas Jr was not her son, Donna has internalized this struggle as her own.
“When he hurts, I hurt. When he [goes] through migraines and depression and high blood pressure, I feel all that. There’s nothing in this world that I wouldn’t do for him and as long as he’s fighting, even afterwards I am still going to be out here fighting for justice for his son and all the others kids that have been murdered by the police.”
Every year, for remembrance for Nicholas Jr, Donna holds an arts and crafts session for the children at the community center so that the community does not forget about Nicholas Jr or what happened to him.
Donna has also created an extremely positive and influential way to help her community through her work as a personal trainer—Dee’s Full Body Workout. With a certificate in personal training from the College of Health and Sciences Swedish Institute, Donna holds exercise sessions in the Nicholas Naquan Heyward Jr Park. She consistently encourages children and the elderly specifically to come out and participate. She also gives healthy vegetable tips and fitness advice to participants. Donna admits to always being what she calls a “fitness fanatic.” She has been a licensed personal trainer for two years and holds sessions every week. Donna stated, “I love physical fitness. I think it’s a good way to keep the kids active and focused on something positive and not all the negativity that’s in the world. Even if it’s only for an hour it brings them together for something positive. Let’s come together.”
Donna has always had a deep love and appreciation for her people, community and husband. Through her husband’s tragedy she has found a way to turn such a misfortune into an incredibly positive expression of fitness through her talents.
“He’s been out here too long by himself. I am going to be out here with him till the day I die and even afterwards. I’m not gonna let him fight this fight by himself. I’m his rib. Wherever he is I’m there, whatever he needs I’m there. If he can’t speak I’ll speak for him. We’re going to keep his son’s name alive and we’re going to keep fighting until that justice comes.”
For more information contact grownsexy1245@gmail.com.