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.