At 1:30 a.m., an email was delivered to the inbox of Orlando-based consulting firm the Institute for Successful Leadership (ISL). It was an invitation to attend a roundtable discussion about the crucial role of women’s health and its key to family and community wellness. The meeting was scheduled for the same day, some 12 hours later. Since no one was “minding the store” at that hour, it was not until 9 a.m. that the three-member firm received the message and began scrambling to adjust appointments to be present at the discussion.
After nearly three decades working in the public health arena, the family-owned for-profit continues to demonstrate the value of a seat at policy-making tables where the viable health and wellness of Black and brown populations is at hand. And, while most assignments come with more than a 12-hour advance, the Tripletts owners of ISL, are accustomed to doing what it takes to get the job done for their clients and for the good of communities of color public health. As a result, two consultants from ISL were present for the pivotal same-day meeting.
In addition to policy, ISL’s focus on women’s health, particularly at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), remains high on the list of priorities and engagement at the firm. Currently in high demand is training governmental entities and corporations about the value and necessity of health equity.
“Community sectors are beginning to learn their interdependence for health equity,” said Tralonda Triplett, Ph.D., partner and director of operations. “Health equity is the cornerstone of our existence. We help sectors to learn their parts in promoting equity among communities. Likewise, ISL upholds social determinants of health and individual risk behaviors as sources of population health outcomes. We introduce public safety as a new social determinant of health to encourage public health and law enforcement professionals to collaborate to better the health and wellness of communities and police officers.”
Founded in 1996 by the Senior Consultant Dorothy Triplett, M.Ed., who served as associate director of minority and special populations at the Centers for Disease Control, ISL struck out to make a difference in the prevention of HIV/AIDS in communities of color. Mother Triplett realized what she did for the federal government; she could do more succinctly by heading up her own firm.
“Instead of seeing one group at a time, I saw where we could serve communities and populations by implementing input to governmental policy and regulations that affected them,” Dorothy said. “CDC follows the data, but the data is not always inclusive of all communities and populations. The reporting is flawed because individuals do not always have the resources or insurance to go to the doctors, so they are not always counted in the data that goes to CDC. I saw ISL as a way to include people of color into policy-making decisions.”
Then Atlanta-based, ISL started in the faith community writing health ministry grants and Dorothy delivering keynotes to congregations and civic organizations regarding the prevention of HIV and resources available to assist Black and brown communities in the war against AIDS.
As company services expanded to include health and wellness programming instituted at HBCUs; health department technical assistance—including Clark County Health District located in Las Vegas, Nev. where the company was based from 1998-1999—and corporate health-at-work initiatives, partner and Director of Communication Treméne Triplett, M.A., added health communication to the company offerings. Under her tutelage, the firm offers journalism, media and editing services to clients.
“It has been an incredible experience to provide articles, essays and other written content to public and private clients for nearly 30 years,” stated Triplett. “Health and wellness articles are my favorite to write because the information provided might just save someone’s life. To help other clients write manuscripts that enrich Black culture is most gratifying.”
ISL has been operational in Central Florida since 2000 and has worked with federal, state, and county governments along with local organizations to impact improved health conditions for vulnerable populations. And there is no sign of cutting back. The mother-daughter-daughter trio of “The Tripletts,” as the firm is more commonly known, anticipates continuing to spread the word that personal and community health are the most precious assets anyone can have.
“We’re working hard to take care of today, including our minds, bodies and souls,” said Dorothy. “We must let tomorrow take care of itself.”
For more information on the Institute for Successful Leadership, visit www.theisl4uonline.com or contact the office at 321-318-9985.
