The American Heart Association has honored Birmingham business leader Marcella Roberts with the Louis B. Russell, Jr. Memorial Award for her work with underserved populations.

As chair of the American Heart Association's Greater Southeast Affiliate multicultural committee, Roberts led the launch of the Association's first EmPOWERED To Serve™ affordable housing pilot in the Mississippi Delta. This collaboration serves as a model for partnering with housing authorities nationwide to create safe and affordable environments to address social determinants that impact the health of minority populations.

Roberts is the vice president of development at Hollyhand Development, which specializes in all facets in affordable housing finance, development, construction and management utilizing the low-income housing tax credit program. A graduate of Stillman College and Miles Law School, Roberts is a longtime volunteer for the American Heart Association and currently serves as a member of the Greater Southeast Affiliate's Board of Directors.