Serving Black & Brown communities

Building stronger
people.
Building stronger
communities.

We serve Black and Brown communities throughout Cook County and the surrounding western suburbs, creating accessible opportunities that build confidence, resilience, and lasting connection.

Rooted in Hillside, Illinois

N.E.W. Fitness Wellness Foundation logo

Wellness. Education. Community connection.

MovementEducationCommunity
N.E.W. Fitness Wellness Foundation logo
Charitable & educational purpose

Wellness reaches
beyond fitness.

N.E.W. Fitness Wellness Foundation provides charitable and educational programs that promote physical fitness, nutrition, mental wellness, financial literacy, and overall well-being for Black and Brown communities throughout Cook County and the surrounding western suburbs.

Based in Hillside, Illinois, we create accessible opportunities for wellness education, movement, and support that build confidence, resilience, and lasting connection. Our four programs bring that purpose to Black men, women, young people, and older adults.

Learn

Knowledge for everyday well-being.

Move

Physical wellness through movement.

Connect

Conversation and community support.

Portrait of Tanesha Travis, co-founder of N.E.W. Fitness Wellness Foundation

Meet our co-founder

Tanesha Travis

Co-founder & Director · Coach T

Helping people has always been at the center of who I am and how I approach both my career and my community. I hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting and an MBA, and I bring more than 30 years of experience in finance and over 10 years in real estate. Through that background, along with my work in fitness, nutrition, and community leadership, I’ve learned that people often need more than information. They need someone who will listen, help them understand their options, and connect them with resources they may not know are available. My own experiences taught me how important access to knowledge can be, especially in communities where those resources have not always been easy to find. Fitness became another way for me to educate, encourage, and empower others, and over time, many of the conversations I had with clients extended far beyond the gym into finances, health, family, menopause, homeownership, grief, and life transitions. That passion led me to create HER Wellness Collective, a space where women can exhale, connect, learn, and strengthen every area of their lives. My goal is for every person who comes through our doors to feel seen, heard, valued, and empowered, and to leave with knowledge, support, or a resource they can build upon and eventually pass on to someone else.

Portrait of Jerry Newman in a navy jacket and shirt, glasses, and a gold chain

Meet our co-founder

Jerry Newman

Co-founder & Director · Coach J

My journey has taken me through education, social services, fitness, and community work, but the common thread has always been helping people. I hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology. I started out working with young people in schools, later became a teacher, and then spent years supporting families through social services and adoption work. Eventually, fitness became another way for me to teach, mentor, and help people become healthier and stronger. One of the things I care about most is creating spaces where people feel comfortable, supported, and able to be honest. That passion led me to create Black Men’s Sanctuary, a place where men can connect, talk openly, build brotherhood, and strengthen their mental, physical, and emotional wellness. My goal is simple: when people come through our doors, I want them to feel at home, know that they are supported, and leave with something that helps them move forward.

Explore Black Men’s Sanctuary
Portrait of Mykel Selph, Director and Secretary of the Board of N.E.W. Fitness Wellness Foundation

Meet our board secretary

Mykel Selph

Director & Secretary of the Board

I believe people thrive when they have meaningful access to information, opportunity, support, and environments that make healthier choices more possible. That belief guides my work as an executive leader, social-impact strategist, consultant, and wellness advocate. I hold an MPA and an MA, and I bring more than 20 years of experience in equity, organizational change, community engagement, leadership development, and systems reform. I’m especially interested in the connection between physical wellness, confidence, community, and long-term quality of life. As a director and Secretary of the Board of N.E.W. Fitness Wellness Foundation, I support governance, partnerships, organizational development, and programming that helps individuals and families strengthen their health and well-being through fitness, nutrition, education, and community connection.

Get involved

Connection starts
with a conversation.

Find a program that speaks to you, bring a school idea, or talk with us about supporting this work.

Participate

Find your
community.

Explore the four programs and ask about participation and availability.

Explore programs
Schools

Bring learning
to life.

Talk with Coach T about the proposed Fit Futures nutrition and quick meal workshop for grades K–8.

Explore school workshops
Collaborate

Share your time
or expertise.

Start a conversation about volunteering, community collaboration, or ways to support the foundation's mission.

Talk with the foundation

Contact

Let's take the
next step.

For questions about programs, school workshops, or getting involved, connect directly with Coach T.

Suicide & crisis support
N.E.W. Fitness Wellness Foundation
Hillside, Illinois

Your foundation contact

Tanesha Travis

Coach T

708-372-5571

Ask Coach T about the foundation and how to get involved.

Call Coach T

A few helpful details

Before you
connect.

Which program should I explore?

Black Men's Sanctuary centers Black men's whole-person wellness. HER Wellness Collective supports women. Fit Futures focuses on young people, and Senior Strong focuses on older adults. Explore each program's areas of focus, then contact Coach T with questions.

How can my school get involved?

Review the Fit Futures school brochure, then speak with Coach T about grade level, group size, lesson length, recipes, and your school's requirements. The nutrition and quick meal workshop is a proposed offering to coordinate with your school.

Read the school brochure (PDF, opens in a new tab)
Where is the foundation based?

The foundation is based in Hillside, Illinois. Contact Coach T for location and availability details for the program that interests you.

Suicide prevention & crisis support

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Support is available for you or someone you’re worried about. In the U.S., call or text 988 for free, confidential support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.