Hi, my name is Camille Redman. I was born and raised here in Pittsburgh. I am the youngest in my family and am the second college educated in my immediate family following my older sister. I currently live with my girlfriend and our two dogs and will be soon starting my internship at a firm that has taken great care of me. Growing up in the inner city school system was rough for me in my younger years. A school resource officer helped me navigate the things I was dealing with inside of school and at home. I have always wanted to work in a field that would be of assistance to people since this man had essentially helped save my life.聽

When Covid hit my mom was sure that nursing school was my calling. She was aware of my want to help people and has always pushed me to pursue any dream I have ever had. Mortuary school was no different. Starting school in the height of the pandemic was scary but also solidified that I was in the right spot. Although I was scared, the will to help was greater. Going through this program has brought some trying times academically and personally. My perseverance to succeed and to prove those who doubted me wrong always overcame any feelings of wanting to quit.聽

Before school started, the death of George Floyd rocked the country. We were angry, we were tired and we wanted everyone to know that we see what is happening and we won鈥檛 stand for it. Peacefully, we gathered to march down West Liberty Avenue in an attempt to spread awareness of what happens daily across the country. The point was to encourage people to stand up for what they believed in and have their voices be heard by the same people in authority who are able to create the change we need within our community. As a group we called for change in local laws and constantly reminded people that if we don鈥檛 change our future we are bound to repeat our history. Every day I aim to encourage people about our struggles, what support we need and how they can be an ally. We don’t just need your support in times of protest, we need you support in times of peace as well. Not just this month but every month I encourage you to check in on those you love who look different than you or who may have different experiences than you. You never know the simple help you may be able to offer.聽

鈥淪o you don鈥檛 see my tools that I carry with me because it鈥檚 not on me; it鈥檚 in me.鈥� – Lezley McSpadden; Mother of Michael Brown

My name is Larrionna Umphryes and I鈥檓 from Flint, Michigan. Funeral Service has been a passion of mine since I鈥檝e graduated high school. When I had opportunities to job shadow in this field, I knew that it was for me. Since then, I鈥檝e been pursuing this dream of mine. My long term goal is to have my own funeral home and be able to offer comfort and counsel to grieving families.

Hi my name is Nia Collins. 鈥淣ia鈥� is a name with Swahili origins meaning 鈥減urpose.鈥� Throughout my life, people have asked, 鈥淲hat is my purpose in life?鈥� I have always said that my purpose is to serve others. It is something that is nature to me. My career started in healthcare decades ago when my focus for helping people and the community led me to hold jobs where I provided personal care to patients, advocated for patients and their families; as well as, offered education and support when needed. I have worked in clinical and business settings in the healthcare industry early on as a Certified Medical Assistant, graduating from a Nursing program and receiving my Bachelors of Science in Nursing, in addition to holding a job as a Patient Advocate and am currently employed by a local hospital managing a Primary Care office.

Becoming a professional in the funeral service business is what I believe I am called to do. My empathy for families in the grieving process, listening skills, creativity, and dedication to helping others will certainly make my transition from healthcare to the funeral service business effortless. My interest for the funeral home business materialized in 2017 when I lost my grandmother to a prolonged illness. My curiosity for this industry evolved as the funeral home we used made the transition process easy for my family and me. They were professional in helping my family to honor the memory of my loved one offering the highest level of compassionate care and respect.聽聽

聽Helping others make our lives more meaningful. I look at the funeral service business as rewarding and fulfilling as healthcare. I am currently a part-time receptionist at an independently-owned funeral home in Baltimore, Maryland. I anticipate growing professionally in the company as a mortician. Working in the funeral home business will allow me to connect with families in the community, helping them focus on healing while celebrating the life of their loved ones and preserving memories.

My name is Chelsea Shanahan-Ballard, and I’m from Sussex County, Delaware. I’m married, with 3 dogs and 2 cats. In 2018, I graduated from Salisbury University with a BA in psychology. During my junior year, my father passed away, and it changed a lot of things for me. My family had a fantastic funeral director who inspired me to look deeper into this career. Over the last few years, I’ve worked with the elderly and folks with disabilities and as a preschool teacher, but I always came back to mortuary science/funeral directing. So here I am! I’m open to what the future holds with this new pathway! It’s imperative to me to provide empathetic services to families during the difficult time of a loved one passing, and I hope to be successful in that.聽

Gillis is a twenty five year old future mortician and medical examiner born in Baltimore, Maryland. She developed the passion at an early age, being the first in her family with this interest. Bre鈥橝sia is a 2020 graduate of the illustrious Morgan State University, receiving a B.S. in Biology. Shortly after graduation, Bre鈥橝sia embarked on her career journey with March Funeral Homes. She is currently earning the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Mortuary science and a Crematory Operator certificate at 91色情片.聽

Bre鈥橝sia strives to make a difference and impact the funeral industry as a whole by offering much compassion, counseling, and support to each and every bereaved family. With a full understanding that grief looks different for everyone, she strives to make an emotionally difficult process as memorable and tranquil as possible. Always aiming to serve with class, Bre鈥橝sia prioritizes building connections and relationships while ushering families through each step of the arrangement process. Bre鈥橝sia understands that funeral directors wear many hats, and she鈥檚 ready to take on the mantle! 聽

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