Support Heart Health and Community Wellness at the Second Annual “Have a Heart Ball”!

Join us on Saturday, February 22, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the historic Beach Institute in Savannah for a night of elegance, impact, and celebration. Hosted by First Bryan Baptist Church, the “Have a Heart Ball” is a signature event held during Heart Health Month to raise awareness and critical funds for programs promoting health equity and heart wellness in our community.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in Georgia, accounting for approximately 28,000 deaths annually—about one in every three deaths statewide. This rate is 12.31% higher than the national average, with Savannah and Chatham County experiencing a significant impact. Contributing factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, poor diet, physical inactivity, and excessive alcohol use. Alarmingly, about half of all Americans have at least one of these three key risk factors.

This year’s theme, “Heart of the Community: Championing Health and Hope,” highlights the importance of addressing these health disparities and creating lasting change for underserved populations. The evening will feature a formal dinner, live entertainment, inspiring stories from local health advocates, and fundraising activities to support heart health education and resources.

Every ticket purchased and donation made helps us advance our mission to build a healthier, stronger Savannah. Whether you attend in person or contribute online, your generosity is the heartbeat of our community’s success.

Reserve your spot today or donate to help us reach our goal of raising $50,000! Together, we can create a brighter and healthier future for all.

The Keynote Speaker is the Honorable Otis Samuel Johnson, former Mayor of Savannah and Chair, Savannah Racial Equity and Leadership Task Force

Dr. Otis Samuel Johnson served as Scholar in Residence at Savannah State University from February 2012 to May 2019 after serving eight years as the 64^th Mayor of the city of Savannah, Georgia. He was elected to Mayor in 2003 and reelected in 2007. He ended his second term on December 31, 2011. Dr. Johnson was prohibited from running for a third four-year term because of a term limit law. While mayor, Dr. Johnson provided leadership for the creation of Step-Up Savannah, Inc., a poverty reduction initiative; Healthy Savannah, an initiative that promotes healthy lifestyles, and the Neighborhood Improvement Association (NIA), a community development corporation.

Dr. Johnson has spent a lifetime of public service in Savannah, Georgia. He started his professional career in 1965 as a Resource Guide with the anti-poverty agency, The Economic Opportunity Authority for Savannah Chatham County, Inc. (EOA). He continued his community work as a Social Planner with the Savannah Model Cities Program in 1969. Johnson was hired by Savannah State University (SSU) in 1971 to organize the undergraduate program in social work. He was elected to the Savannah City Council in 1983 and re-elected in 1986. He left SSU and resigned from the City Council in 1988 to become the Executive Director of the Chatham Savannah Youth Futures Authority (YFA). Johnson returned to SSU in 1998 as Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. He retired in 2002 to prepare to run for the position of Mayor of the City of Savannah. He was elected in 2003 and re-elected in 2007. He returned to SSU in 2012 as Professor Emeritus and was Scholar in Residence until 2018. Johnson has served on numerous boards and advisory committees at the local, state, and national levels.

Dr. Johnson earned academic degrees from Armstrong State University (now merged with Georgia Southern University (A.A. 1964); University of Georgia (A.B. 1967); Clark Atlanta University (M.S.W. 1969) and Brandeis University, Heller School (Ph.D. 1980).

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Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.

2nd Annual Have a Heart Ball - First Bryan Baptist Church

Heart of the Community: Championing Health and Hope

Team Members