Almost five years ago, Quanda Lashun Baker was among the charter members of the Richmond Metropolitan Area Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, establishing a branch of the women’s nonprofit organization dedicated to making a difference in the community.

Today, Ms. Baker is the chapter’s president, readying the group for their 3rd Annual Health Summit on March 14, just a few weeks shy of the chapter’s fifth year of advocacy work in the Greater Richmond area.

“It’s a momentous occasion,” Ms. Baker says. “I feel that we have learned a lot since our chartering. We have given back to the community a lot since our chartering.”

Already, it has been a fairly eventful year for the Georgia native and the chapter she has led since her election in October. Last month, the organization joined sister chapters from Charlottesville, Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia to lobby federal legislators at the U.S. Capitol for policies that would best benefit the lives of African-American women and girls.

For her part, Ms. Baker is a committed leader in the organization, following in the footsteps of the chapter’s founding president, Dr. Delta R. Bowers, who convinced her to become a member of the organization in 2014. Ms. Baker balances her responsibilities with the Richmond chapter with her duties on the organization’s national public relations, public policy, education and fund development committees.

“It’s hard, but it’s called time management,” Ms. Baker says when asked how she handles so many roles. “To juggle it all, I have a calendar and I plan accordingly.”

Along with the health summit, the Richmond chapter of the NCBW furthers their gender equity and empowerment goals through their SisterNomic$ financial literacy workshops, their Phenomenal Women’s Jazz Luncheon Soiree and their Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament. The chapter also will be participating in the national NCBW’s phone banks, helping people register to vote.

The chapter is focused on promoting a holistic approach to health, one that focuses on methods of self-care that prioritize the well-being of those often expected and conditioned to place their friends’ and families’ needs before their own.

“As women, we tend to care for others and not care for ourselves,” Ms. Baker says. “This gives us an opportunity to see what we need to do as far as taking care of or having self-care for ourselves.”

Her only concern is that people in the community may not be aware of the event.

Ms. Baker has a plan for that, and is focused on raising the chapter’s profile by using social media to inform the Richmond community about the chapter’s free programs, including the health summit.

“The participation is not where it should be,” Ms. Baker says. “And this year, our focus is to get the word out more so that people know who we are and what we’re all about.”

Meet community and women’s equity advocate and this week’s Personality, Quanda Lashun Baker:

Occupation: Chief operations officer, Clearview Counseling Services.

What I do: Provide supervision to all staff members, ensure compliance as required by the Department of Health and Behavioral Services, implement training programs for the staff, coordinate HR systems and processes, ensure adequate staffing and serve as a member of the leadership team.

No. 1 community involvement: President of the Richmond Metropolitan Area Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women. I also am national secretary for the National Coalition of 100 Black Women and serve on several of the national committees.

Other community involvement: I serve as the church clerk, at St. Peter Baptist church, in Glen Allen.

Date and place of birth: Sept. 15, in Thomasville, Ga.

Current residence: Glen Allen.

Education: Bachelor’s in administrative systems, Albany State University; master’s in human resources, University of Maryland, University College.

Family: Spouse, Merrill E. Baker III, and children, Sharday, Danielle and Cameron.

Mission of National Association of 100 Black Women: To advocate on behalf of black women and girls to promote leadership development and gender equity in the areas of health, education and economic empowerment. NCBW advocates on behalf of black women and girls through national and local action and strategic alliances.

When organization was founded: The national organization was founded Oct. 24, 1981. The Richmond chapter was chartered in March 2015. I am a charter member.

Number of Richmond chapter members: 54.

Membership requirements: Membership is open to all black women who want to make a difference in the Richmond community. We are seeking professional black women who are dedicated to volunteering their talents to support the organization’s mission.

Why I am excited about this organization: I am excited about the impact that this organization has made and continues to make. I am extremely excited about the programs we, the Richmond Metropolitan Area Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, have done in the areas of health, education and public policy.

Chapter’s top four projects: The annual Women’s Health Summit, the Phenomenal Women’s Jazz Luncheon Soiree, the annual Scholarship Golf Tournament and My SisterNomic$ financial literacy workshops.

Chapter’s No. 1 challenge: The branding of the NCBW RMAC in the Richmond community and informing the community of who we are, what we do and the importance of why we do what we do, because advocacy work is hard work.

How I plan to meet it: As a chapter, we will need to do a better job of communicating our free advocacy programs so that the community can avail themselves and participate. How I start the day: I start by thanking God for waking me up to see another day and asking Him for His grace and mercy to get through the op- portunities and obstacles of another day.

Quality I most admire in another person: Extemporaneous speaking.

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: I am OCD when it comes to cleaning.

Quote that I am inspired by: “I have learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou.

How I unwind: By removing myself from everything, everyone and having alone time. Best late-night snack: Sour cream and cheddar potato chips with Frank’s RedHot Sauce.

At the top of my “to-do” list: To vacation in Paris.

Best thing my parents ever taught me: To always to do the right thing no matter what someone says or does.

Person who influenced me the most: My mother, the late Ellen Frances Duncan.

Book that influenced me the most: “Becoming” by former First Lady Michelle Obama. If I’ve learned one thing in life, it is: Prayer changes everything.

My next goal: To complete my doctoral degree in higher education and leadership.