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"Never allow your barriers to break you, use them for your breakthrough."

Rosemary D. Oglesby-Henry

the rose who blossomed
the concrete

Ms. Rosemary D. Oglesby-Henry is a Christian Social Entrepreneur, bridge-builder, nationally known leadership and non-profit business educator, author, philanthropist, Executive Producer, President of The P.E.T.A.L.S. Incorporation 

and award-winning founder/ CEO of an impact organization (501c3), Rosemary's Babies Co., committed to helping teen parents master the concepts of self-leadership to leave a legacy.​ The organization has served more than 1,700 families. 

 

Ms. Oglesby-Henry is a native Cincinnatian. Rosemary started her adult life as a fourth-generation teen parent and used her struggle, strong faith in God, social support, and self-motivation to heal and help others to do the same. She spent most of her life with the titles of mom, wife and US Postal Worker, and throughout, set a goal to achieve an accredited education which now includes a Master of Science degree and PMP. 

 

In 2019, she led an initiative for homeless teen parents in Ohio establishing Youth Pregnancy and Parenthood Awareness Day in May. Thereafter, learning of the more than 35% of parenting teens who were 'hidden homeless’, she took on the challenge to establish a home and resource center for these families. Overcoming city and community objections, racial and financial barriers, and a demand to raise a $1M dollar capital stack was no small feat, and Rosemary’s Babies Co. successfully acquired a nearly 7,000 sq ft mansion, a dream home for her babies. The courage and skill demonstrated during this process was deemed the new 'standard' for social projects in Cincinnati. In honor of her late grandmother, Rosa Lee Figgs, who lived on Holloway Ave and was a community hero and activist, the new location will forever be known as the Holloway House & Resource Center. The $2M facility is set to open in 2024. 

 

Ms. Oglesby-Henry's written work has been featured in numerous magazines including Forbes and Cheryl Magazine. She has written four books including a personal short story of her own life, The Rose Who Blossomed Through the Concrete: Consequence vs Choice, published by Trilogy Christian Publishing, which sells internationally. She is featured in the 2022 Documentary Short, Worth One's Salt, by Producer Dr. Dretona Maddox, a social impact film that focuses on barriers to health equity in maternal health for Black pregnant teens.

 

Rosemary has received more than (40) forty honors and recognitions for her leadership and philanthropy throughout her career including an Ohio Governor Accommodation, 2023 Cincy Magazine's Power 100 Ones to Watch, 2023 Making Black History by Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, 2023 & 2022 500 List of Most Powerful & Influential Leaders in Ohio and the 2022 Inspiring Innovator Award by the Cincinnati NAACP, and an Ohio Senate Award.  She has shared her story and her organization's mission as a speaker and panelist at conferences, events, and across international and local media outlets to millions. She has been quoted in numerous magazines and on platforms for her advocacy work related to education, teen pregnancy, trauma, and maternal health for young parents. Rosemary has served as a member of 10 boards, local and state. 

 

Over two decades as an entrepreneur, Rosemary has used her business acumen to mentor and consult with more than 50 small businesses and non-profits to start, expand programs, and increase revenue by more than 50%.

 

Rosemary has two adult children, two love daughters, and two love grands.

 

Ms. Oglesby-Henry’s life mission is to be a National Ambassador contributing to the global, economic, and social advancements of parenting adolescents. 

 

Favorite Quotes

Never allow your barriers to break you; use them for your breakthrough.

 

No one can beat you down lower than you, but no one can lift you up higher than you. 

 

Legacy is how you live and what you leave behind. 

 

The secret of living is giving. So, gain it all and give it all away before you leave this earth.

The Fundamentals of Building a Nonprofit - Rosemary Babies Co
34:16
The Connections Hub Podcast

The Fundamentals of Building a Nonprofit - Rosemary Babies Co

Rosemary is the Founder of Rosemary’s Babies Co, a non-profit organization that supports pregnant teens and teen parents. The non-profit has thrived ever since rosemary’s initial $25,000 investment into the marketing efforts, lawyer protection and launch event. In this episode, Rosemary shares the difference between non and for-profits, advice for anyone looking to build a non-profit and how the ownership status of non-profits work. Rosemary’s Babies Co is on a mission to change lives and generations to come. As a once-teen mother herself, Rosemary understands the struggle and decided to support other young girls and parents throughout the joys and difficulties. Rosemary encourages you to support your local non-profits to help make an impact in your community. 00:45 - Please introduce yourself 1:50 - How did you get started in your industry? 5:16 - Can you talk more about the marketing within your non-profit and the relation to your non-profit’s success? 7:10 - How did you rally up your community to support what you’re doing? 10:17 - What’s the difference between non-profit and for-profit? 12:30 - What did you spend your first $25,000 on to build your non-profit? 14:30 - Do you feel starting off your business the way that you resulted in immediate success? 17:34 - Can you explain the ownership process of non-profits? 19:40 - What advice would you give to someone trying to build a non-profit? 23:25 - How were you able to discover the benefits of building a non-profit? 27:55 - Have you seen any benefits of being a non-profit over being in a for-profit business? Follow Rosemary Babies Co: https://www.instagram.com/rosemarysbabies.co/ Rosemary Babies Co Website: https://www.rosemarysbabies.co/ Follow Jha Allen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jha.allen/ Learn more about Jha Allen: https://workwithjha.com/content Follow The Connections Hub Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconnectionshub/
International Women's Day 2021 Rosemary Oglesby-Henry
13:20
Thrive Empowerment Center

International Women's Day 2021 Rosemary Oglesby-Henry

We are so excited to welcome Rosemary Oglesby- Henry to the IWD stage! Rosemary Oglesby-Henry is a bridge-builder, nationally-known Leadership Educator, and the founder and CEO of Rosemary's Babies Company, an impact organization (501c3) committed to helping teen parents master the concepts of self-leadership to leave a legacy. The goal of the Cincinnati-based organization, which serves 200 families per year, is to eradicate generational pregnancy and poverty by supporting families, educating communities and advocating for policy/law changes that are biased and render teen parent families helpless. Rosemary's plight to change the outlook on youth pregnancy and parenthood has led her to share her mission on local as well as national platforms. Her media presence includes Fortune, Money, Movers and Makers, and as a contributing writer for the US Ambassadors for Girls & Women in Forbes Magazine. Rosemary's Babies is recognized as a best in class resource for teen parents and families. Prior to launching Rosemary's Babies Co., in 2016, Rosemary, while managing, training and helping to develop new leaders and businesses, overcame obstacles and barriers herself, as she was a teen mother at 16. Despite the obstacle, she successfully managed a home, raised two children with her husband and long-time sweetheart of 23 years and maintained a 17-year career with the United States Postal Service—all while earning her many degrees and building what is now her legacy, the Rosemary's Babies Company. At present, Rosemary is a member of the Cradle Cincinnati Policy Committee. Rosemary Oglesby-Henry is a well-respected city leader and influencer. Her honors include receiving an Education Partner Award from Northern Kentucky NAACP, Cincinnati Business Courier 40under40, 2020 Pillar Award for Non-profit Executive Director of Year from Smart Business Magazine, Forbes Leading Women in Business, and a 2018 Ohio Senate Award. Her goal is to inspire every teen parent by leading by example: “Never allow your barriers to break you, use them for your breakthrough.” Check out IWDatHome.com for more details!

Ashton W, OH

 "Rosemary has always been supportive and passionate about her work."

Dr. Maddox, CA

"Rosemary is a powerhouse in Ohio. Rosemary is bold about her support in supporting teen parents and families."

Elaine B, OH

"There are many good leaders, and some great leaders, and then there are leaders who not only know how to run a "well-oiled machine"  but also have vision. This is Rosemary."
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