Donna Richardson Joyner

Donna Richardson Joyner is a best-selling author and an international motivational speaker. She is a renowned wellness/travel expert who has traveled to 50 states, 50 countries and 6 continents helping people to become healthier; mind, body and spirit. Richardson Joyner continues to spread the gospel of good health by empowering, educating and energizing women and families. In the midst of the Covid-19 Pandemic, uncertainty and challenges, she steps out on faith taking a family recipe to retail that has been enjoyed by family, friends and celebrities for over 25 years. Richardson Joyner and her mother believe they can continue to enrich people’s connections through food for the soul. Mama LaVerne’s Chicken & Waffles is delicious homemade joy!

Richardson Joyner is the only council member appointed by President Bush and President Obama to serve on the President’s Council for Fitness, Sports and Nutrition. She was an ambassador for First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move Initiative.” Richardson Joyner has starred in over 25 award winning videos including best-selling “Buns of Steel” which sold over 10 million copies. She starred in best- selling videos ESPN, Nike, Sweating in the Spirit, Body Gospel and her own line of videos. Her Sweating in the Spirit DVD was featured in Tyler Perry’s movie “Diary of a Mad Black Woman.” Richardson Joyner was one of five Nike Female Athletes to have her own signature shoe, the Richardson Joyner Richardson “Air Max Mundo.” She created the first Tiny House for retail for women and men. Richardson Joyner continues to be a strong leader and innovator.

Richardson Joyner is a TV Contributor for CNN, MSNBC, FOX, ABC, TBN and other networks. She was the producer and host of “The Donna Richardson’s Mind, Body and Spirit Show,” and “The Sweating in the Spirit Show” on the Word Network. She also was the former co-host of the ESPN Fitness Pro’s Show” and wellness expert for NBC “Today Show.” Richardson Joyner has appeared in commercials and print advertisement for Proctor & Gamble, Kellogg’s, McDonald’s, Kmart, Walmart, ESPN, Nike, PGA, LPGA, etc. She served as a spokesperson for McDonald’s first ever healthy salad and fruit snack.

She has lectured and conducted seminars at schools, community centers, churches, corporations, universities and senior centers around the globe. She has been a featured speaker with God’s Leading Ladies, Sisters in the Spirit, Pantene Total You, Eliminating Childhood Obesity and many other tours. Richardson Joyner climbed the tallest free standing mountain in the world, Kilimanjaro and served on a missionary that provided food, clothes and school supplies for thousands of children at orphanages in Arusha, Africa. She led the first team of African American Women to run 200 miles in the Hood to Coast Relay and raised funds for the American Cancer Society. She ran in the Paris Marathon, raising awareness and funds for the North Dallas Suicide Crisis Center. Richardson Joyner continues to create change and make a difference through her philanthropic and humanitarian work.

She was inducted into The National Fitness Hall of Fame and was named by Essence Magazine “One of Twenty Five of The Most Inspiring Women in America.” She received the Mental & Physical Health Award from the Congressional Black Caucus. She was awarded the “Family Leadership Legacy Award” by the Jack & Jill of America Foundation. Richardson Joyner broke the Guinness Book of World Records for the world’s largest line dance with over 50,000 participants at Mega-fest with Bishop T.D. Jakes. She was also selected by Fitness Magazine as one of the top movers and shakers. She received The Centennial Health Award from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the Presidential Award from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She was honored with The Christian Literary Trailblazer Award, and The All-Star Gospel Celebration Slam Dunk Award. Recently, Richardson Joyner was awarded The Ruby Award for her outstanding work in empowering and mentoring young girls and women.

Richardson Joyner was on the advisory board for The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and The Boys and Girls Club of America. She served on The Women’s Sports Foundation and The Tom Joyner Foundation. Richardson Joyner was a board member for The LPGA Foundation and a former Spokesperson for the PGA of America. Richardson Joyner taught for several years in South Africa at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for girls. She is founder of “Grow Green Get Fit,” a nutritional, physical and environmental curriculum for school aged children that was taught at YMCA’s and community centers across the country and sponsored by the Walmart Foundation.