For Brenda A. Campbell, founding executive director of The Enhancement Foundation, “Christmas: A Season of Celebration, A Lupus Fundraising Event” is an opportunity for her nonprofit organization to reach out to women across the city and inform them about an illness that affects women by a large margin.

“We believe it is our responsibility as a women’s empowerment organization to ensure women are developed appropriately, loved, empowered, supported, nurtured, protected and respected,” Ms. Campbell says.

The fundraiser on Saturday, Dec. 7, is TEF’s second annual event. The foundation is hoping to raise $50,000 for the cause and to support a grassroots organization to be announced later. The event hopes to draw attention to how lupus affects women disproportionately, “while honoring and supporting women and their families who are currently suffering from lupus or who have suffered as a result of their loved ones having lupus,” Ms. Campbell says.

In addition to offering information, the evening will feature guest speakers, testimonials, dinner, entertainment and inspiration.

TEF has gathered a wealth of support for the event, from Whole Foods to the Allison Breast Center in Henrico to Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney and Gov. Ralph S. Northam, Ms. Campbell notes.

“Each year, we want it to get bigger and better,” Ms. Campbell says. “We want to help women in this area to be aware of all that is available to them.”

TEF was established in 2012 and became fully operational in 2017. Ms. Campbell was juggling her fulltime job as president and chief executive officer of Unlimited Services Systems Management and Consultants while she and others worked to build up the volunteer base. Now, the nonprofit seeks “to support the quality of lives, values and contributions of women in every aspect of their daily living” through training, planning and encouraging greater self-assurance, self-determination and self-worth, according to Ms. Campbell.

“Our dream is to proactively serve as a catalyst for change for the lives of all women, where we will empower and educate women to leave positive legacies not only for their future, but for the future and legacy of their children,” she says.

For three years, the foundation has worked across a wide swath of Virginia, including Richmond, the city of Petersburg, Tidewater and other areas, supported by funding gained by a network of grants, sponsorships and donations.

Part of the foundation’s effort is its Online Learning Management System, which Ms. Campbell expects to be completed in early 2020. The website will be a “centralized repository, where women can retrieve the latest information, training and knowledge resources,” she explains, that will remove geographic limitations and reduce costs while broadening the number of women aware of the foundation and their access to information that can improve their lives.

“The next generation needs to be well-equipped to move to their fullest potential and then pass the baton to the next generation,” Ms. Campbell says. “I’m excited about passing the baton and giving them a mantle that they can utilize and hopefully turn their whole scenario around.”

Meet this week’s Personality, who has found her purpose in life by empowering women for health and other challenges they face, Brenda A. Campbell:

Volunteer position: Founding executive director of The Enhancement Foundation. Occupation: President and chief executive officer of Unlimited Services Systems Management and Consultants.

Place of birth: Born in Richmond, but lived most of my life in Washington and Maryland until 12 years ago.

Current residence: Richmond.

Education: Bachelor’s in industrial psychology, with minor in business administration, University of the District of Columbia; and master’s in community, administration and policy practice (formerly social services management), Howard University.

Family: Husband, Bill, and children, Chrystal, Tamika and William.

Reason The Enhancement Foundation was started: To support the quality of lives, values and contributions of women in every aspect of their daily living for the future. TEF is a vehicle for women in disadvantaged circumstances with systemic obstacles who need to obtain a greater level of self-sufficiency and wholeness through their ability to acknowledge and utilize their creative God-given strengths, core competencies given proper supports and resources.

TEF’s mission: To enhance and empower the abilities of all women to effectively plan for their personal health, social relationships, professional growth and development by training and leading them toward a quality lifestyle, which will contribute to positive legacies for the future of all women and the next generation.

Why I am excited about this organization: I am excited to share positive information with other women. I believe it is important to share my wisdom, knowledge and 34 years of professional management consultancy with the next generation. It is important that the next generation knows why they need to move with purpose. They need to know that their contributions to life are essential for the future. The foundation can offer a proactive, unique and innovative opportunity, perspective and process for women who are members of a multi-generational environment. Our goal is to offer women inspirational, social, emotional, educational, entrepreneurial, vocational, career, coaching, technical training and management consulting needed for their lives and relationships with family and others.

Several resources our organization offers: As a private foundation, we are acquiring most of our funding through, local, state, federal civilian, military, government organization, commercial sponsors, other private philanthropic groups and individuals. Therefore, proceeds from our events and activities will be divided between special fundraising initiatives and assisting The Enhancement Foundation’s empowerment efforts to sponsor, train and provide resources for all women, including veterans who have faced various life challenges.

What is lupus: Systemic Lupus Erythematous, SLE or lupus, is a serious disease that can affect anyone. It is most often diagnosed in young women of color between the ages of 15 and 44. While the cause is unknown, lupus is an autoimmune disease in which your immune system attacks healthy cells by mistake and potentially can damage many parts of the body. There is no known cure for lupus, though effective treatments are available.

Dream for TEF: Our dream is to proactively serve as a catalyst for change for the lives of all women, including the disadvantaged, victimized, underprivileged and underserved, where we will empower and educate women to leave positive legacies not only for their future, but also for the future and legacy of their children. Our goal is gain even more members to the organization.

Outlook at start of day: Each day I live my life like it is my last day. So each day, I start by thanking God and studying His word. I then start to work on the goals I set for myself that will allow me to have a productive day and a successful life. I also ask the higher power who is my assignment for the day.

A quote that I am inspired by: “Choices are long lasting and life changing.” – Dr. John Cherry

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: I love to sing. I am a gospel recording artist and I plan to record my next CD after the first of the year. I also love to teach and train people and help them reach their unlimited potential.

At the top of my “to-do” list is: To continue to fund this organization so we can have a staff to work in it and help us to reach our vision, mission, objectives and strategies for the future.

Best late-night snack: A frozen juice bar or a piece of fruit. Favorite recreational activity: I love to travel and visit places that I have never seen before.

The best thing my parents ever taught me: The importance of going to church, treating others with respect and love and attaining a decent education.

The one thing I can’t stand: To see people take advantage of or hurt others, especially the seasoned ones and innocent children.

Persons who influenced me the most: My parents and Dr. John Cherry.

The book that influenced me the most: “Managing Oneself” by Peter F. Drucker.

What I’m reading now: “The Mentor in You” by Elena Robertson.

My next goal: To put together a women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship training conference, as well as to complete my next inspirational music CD.