Building a Healthier Mableton with Dr. Dawana Davis
By Matthew Stover | Photos by Stephanie Hanlon & Matthew Stover
If you've ever thought about getting healthier but felt overwhelmed, Dr. Dawana Davis has a simple piece of advice: you don’t have to be perfect, you just have to start.
Dr. Dawana is a powerhouse in our local wellness community, but her story goes far beyond fitness. With 16 years of service as an Atlanta Police officer and a doctorate in Public Safety Leadership, she has dedicated her life to serving and uplifting others.
Her journey into community health began in her home state of Mississippi. At the time, the state was leading the nation in obesity, a statistic that deeply troubled her. She knew intervention had to start early.
"I didn’t want to just tell kids to 'be healthy,'" she says. "I wanted to create experiences that made being healthy fun."
That vision grew into It Starts With Me 2, a nonprofit organization she eventually brought with her to Georgia. The group focuses on helping children build confidence, leadership skills, and positive relationships through fitness and mentorship.
Dr. Dawana is quick to point out that It Starts With Me 2 is not just a run group. The heart of the organization is its youth programming, which is offered completely free of charge.
"I always joke, 'Kids don’t have a job!'" she says. Because she believes children shouldn't have to pay for these essential opportunities, the nonprofit relies entirely on grants, donations, and community fundraising events to keep its programs running.
When it comes to healthy living, Dr. Dawana leads by example. She is a marathon runner and a certified personal trainer, and she shares her passion for an active lifestyle with her family. Her husband is an IFBB Pro bodybuilder, and their six-year-old daughter is already an avid swimmer, soccer player, and triathlete.
So, how can Mableton support this incredible mission? By lacing up your sneakers and joining the fun!
The Mableton Pumpkin Chase 5K is one of the organization's two major annual fundraisers. It's a family-friendly, Halloween-themed event designed for the entire community to enjoy.
Whether you’re aiming for a new personal best or just want a fun morning out, the event has something for everyone:
A 3.1-mile run or walk
A .82-mile Kids Fun Run
A Pet Walk (available in both distances)
A costume contest (pets included!)
Finisher medals, race shirts, and age-group awards
Music, candy, vendors, and free race photos
You can run, walk, push a stroller, bring your dog, dress up, or simply show up to cheer on your neighbors. Every registration and donation goes directly toward funding the free youth programming that It Starts With Me 2 provides.
It’s about much more than getting across a finish line. As Dr. Dawana perfectly puts it: "The finish line is really just the beginning of what we’re trying to accomplish."
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