How long have you been a member of the Black Health Network, and what drew you to CBHN?
I've been a member of CBHN for just over a year now. What drew me to CBHN was their dedicated advocacy for Black Health Equity in California.
What is your current profession?
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in trauma, with an emphasis on racial and generational trauma along with the exploration of genealogy.
From your perspective, what barriers exist in achieving health equity for Black Californians?
I believe the historical trauma of accessing healthcare has led to distrust in the healthcare system. Distrust due to lack of access to quality healthcare services, affordable healthcare coverage, preventive care, distance to services, and limited access to healthcare professionals who are culturally affirming and welcoming, are some of the barriers to achieving health equity for Black Californians. Lack of or limited representation in legislative roles has also been a barrier that is continuing to improve.
Both in your work and with CBHN, how have you been able to prioritize the health of Black Californians?
As a therapist, prioritizing the mental health of Black Californians has been central to my practice. I have actively sought to create a safe and affirming space where my clients feel understood, validated, and supported in their mental health journeys. The invaluable experience and insights gained as being a part of the inaugural HEAT program have reinforced the significance of health equity work for Black Californians and instilled within me a sense of courage and confidence, to continue advocating for health equity among Black Californians.
You were part of the first HEAT cohort, our Health Equity and Advocacy Training Program! What did you appreciate most about the experience? How have you applied the advocacy training to your work?
What I appreciated most about the HEAT experience was being given the opportunity to talk to legislators about something that I am passionate about. Also, the training and support of the CBHN staff were amazing and helped me feel prepared to be able to go to Sacramento. Before becoming a therapist, I worked to advocate for jobs and adequate health care services for individuals. In my early work as a therapist, I advocated for mental health services for children in schools so they could be successful in that environment. When I went to Sacramento, I realized that I missed doing advocacy work.
I have actually looked for some advocacy jobs and have talked to many people about my experience and encouraged them to reach out to their state legislatures and not be fearful when there is an issuethey are passionate about.
What inspires you to keep doing the work you do?
What inspires me to keep doing the work I do is seeing the positive impact it has on people's lives. Knowing that I can support others in their journey towards healing and well-being is motivating. Seeing the resilience and strength of Black communities throughout California inspires me to continue advocating for positive change.
I have been a member of the Black Health Network for about a year. I was drawn to California Black Health Network (CBHN) after attending a Black Health Agenda event hosted by CBHN. I have previous experience working in the mental health field and was interested in learning more about how to close the gaps in disparities for Black Americans.
Currently, I work in public health. I am also the founder of I.R. Coaching and Consulting, a coaching and consulting organization that aims to support Black women in the nonprofit sector.
I think access to culturally responsive services is one of the barriers that exist. When it comes to mental health, nationwide, 3% of therapists identify as Black according to the American Psychological Association. Additionally, there are structural barriers that have not addressed racism as a root cause making it challenging to go further upstream.
Recognizing the connection of burnout, compassion fatigue, and workplace trauma for Black Women and how that impacts your mental and physical health, I started I.R. Coaching and Consulting. I have been able to support individuals and organizations and I hold on to the belief that small changes can lead to big impact.
My inspiration to keep going comes from my late brother (nickname I.R.). He lost a battle due to an ongoing health condition, his joy lives on and pushes me through!
How long have you been a member of the Black Health Network, and what drew you to CBHN? I have been a member of the Black Health Network for over a year.
What is your current profession? Executive Director of United Women of East Africa.
From your perspective, what barriers exist in achieving health equity for Black Californians? Black Californians encounter obstacles in accessing equitable healthcare comprehensively and address key issues related to healthcare disparities and cultural considerations. It emphasizes the importance of tackling unfair treatment, health disparities, and environmental concerns, particularly in mental health. The call for enhanced health education, improved regulations, and collaborative efforts is well-articulated. Additionally, highlighting the challenges of healthcare discrimination and cultural/language barriers further strengthens the message. Overall, the content effectively communicates the need for collective action to ensure better health outcomes for Black Californians.
Both in your work and with CBHN, how have you been able to prioritize the health of Black Californians? At UWEAST, since 2008, we have played a significant role in promoting the health of East African communities, with a particular focus on women and youth. Our commitment extends from the grassroots level, where we actively engage with the community to raise awareness of health issues, with a special emphasis on mental health. Our diverse range of activities includes:
Our commitment over the years reflects our dedication to fostering a healthier and more equitable future, particularly in enhancing the community's understanding of mental health.
What inspires you to keep doing the work you do? What drives your ongoing efforts?
I find inspiration in the spiritual connection and being part of the community. The unwavering commitment, dedication, and profound sense of purpose driving UWEAST's mission are truly admirable. Their focus on fostering positive change in the health and well-being of East African communities, particularly women and youth, is both commendable and inspiring. The dedication to promoting health awareness, addressing disparities, fostering partnerships, and advocating for equitable policies, including spiritual content, is truly impressive. The passion for creating meaningful change reflects the core values of UWEAST. I am genuinely excited to witness our previous participants evolve into leaders guiding our youth.
This is the book that everyone has been waiting for. Dr. G first addressed the hospice physician work force, now she and Nurse Sharon, the end-of-life doula, will educate and empower the general public about the advantages of hospice care for patients and families. There’s no need to be afraid of the H-word anymore! Learn THE REAL DEAL About Hospice Care by reading through stories that highlight the advantages of hospice care for patients and families. Nurse Sharon and Dr. G will guide you through a few of the most common diagnoses eligible for hospice care in the United States of America: ALS, Alzheimer's disease, Cancer, Heart disease, HIV, Liver disease, Pulmonary disease, Renal disease, Stroke & Coma.
https://a.co/d/5pGAKrH
Q. How long have you been a member of the Black Health Network, and what drew you to CBHN?
Equal medical care is not enough to end disparities in health outcomes and achieve health equity for all people of color. It takes elevating care experience, continuing to build trust, creating culturally responsive care, and establishing best practices that can be shared across the healthcare community. Joining the Black Health Network this year was an opportunity to partner with an organization whose mission is to highlight the inequities that permeate in many aspects of our society and advocate for change.
Q. What is your current profession?
Throughout my career as a nurse and executive, I have gravitated toward mission-driven organizations that embody innovation, social responsibility, person-centered care, Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity (EID), and invest in the communities they serve. Searching for an organization that demonstrated those key aspects ultimately brought me back to California where I joined an organization that believes everyone has a right to good health.
As the Senior Vice President and Area Manager for Kaiser Permanente in the Central Valley, I am proud to be a servant leader within an organization that is focused on providing high-quality, culturally responsive care so our members can achieve the best possible health outcomes.
Q. From your perspective, what barriers exist in achieving health equity for Black Californians?
Black people are more likely to face social and economic challenges that adversely impact health, including higher rates of poverty and food insecurity. Disparities among Black Americans include higher rates of chronic conditions, shorter life expectancy, higher maternal and infant mortality rates, and lower screening rates for cancer and heart disease. Longstanding significant disparities in health and health care are directly related to the social determinants of health such as poverty, income inequality, wealth inequality, and food security. These disparities are mostly determined by a lack in the distribution of money, power, and resources in black communities creating environments with inadequate access to healthy food choices, subpar education systems, and safety and security, among other resources.
We need policies and resources to support more black healthcare professionals. Black people represent over 6 percent of California’s population; however we only represent 3.2 percent of California’s physicians. The pandemic’s disproportionate impact on communities of color in the United States underscored the reality that when it comes to population health, we still have major work to do to achieve health equity. We need a more diverse workforce, community leaders, policymakers, community leaders with the right experiences, skills, cultural diversity, and linguistic capabilities to meet the needs of our communities and to create health equity.
Q. Both in your work and with CBHN, how have you been able to prioritize the health of Black Californians?
Inequality impacts wealth, education, employment, housing, mobility, and health. At Kaiser Permanente, our community work is central to our mission. Through our community health grants, we support inclusive economic growth, which is critical to both individual and community health.
Q. What inspires you to keep doing the work you do?
I’m inspired by black joy — a conscious intentional act of choosing joy to heal from the pain of social and economic injustices related to our lives being subjugated and our freedoms regulated. Joy radiates through me as I honor my ancestors, challenge stereotypes, and encourage the transformation of our society through our youth. Developing and inspiring our youth to seize possibilities and undertake their responsibility to transcend beyond “what was.”
Our youth are the leaders and workforce of tomorrow, and many are challenged today by violence, intergenerational transmission of poverty, educational disadvantage, gender discrimination, and societal stereotypes. We must constantly remind them that they are the key to leading the future and closing the gaps we experience with health disparity. Our youth have grown up in a digitally interconnected world and demonstrate a technological sophistication that enables them to relate to the world, new ideas, information, and innovation. If we invest and mentor our youth and young adults, we have the privilege to influence generations to come, and help them to become the problem-solvers, entrepreneurs, and change agents of the coming decades.
Our agency, the Health & Human Resource Education Center, better known as (HHREC), was founded in 1984. We have six community programs, and our core programs are centered around health and wellness. Our most valuable program is the Black Women's Media Project funded through the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). Our agency was drawn to CBHN via the amazing community advocacy work! HHREC partners with BH Brilliant Minds Project, Global Investment Company, and As You Are Nonprofit Called To Do His Work. Both HHREC and As You Are Called To Do His Work became organizational members this year! We are so passionate about mental health awareness for our people and sharing resources.
Executive Director. I have been working in the nonprofit sector for over fifteen years. I specialize in fund development and grant writing.
The barriers are very much rooted in institutional racism. Not understanding how to navigate through the healthcare system and not having the resources and shared education to do so. We need access to more Black doctors, clinicians, and medical providers.
Both in your work and with CBHN, how have you been able to prioritize the health of Black women?
Our agency hosts and facilitates quarterly retreats for Black Women. We ensure that we provide a safe space for Black Women to do health and wellness activities like yoga, meditation, and art therapy. We are able to provide stipends and mental health awareness support. Our Black Women's Media Project produces a yearly digital magazine called "Crossing The Invisible Line."
My love for God and the Black community. I Pastor Taylor Chapel CME Church in Vallejo. I currently study under Bishop Dr. Charley Hames Jr., who is the new presiding prelate of the Ninth Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. I want to make sure Black women have access to peer support and resources for their community. We can do all things through Christ!
Dr. Henry has a Doctor of Public Health in health services research and a Master of Public Health in community health sciences.
How long have you been a member of the Black Health Network?
Not sure. First heard of, and interacted with, CBHN in the late ’90s. Connected with y’all again from 2016-2019. I joined again in May of 2021.
What drew you to CBHN?
People power. Making connections. Policy advocacy.
In 8 words, author, book publisher, consultant, speaker, and store owner. In a few more words, I run Community Intelligence, a public health research, policy analysis and health communications consulting firm; Go Crenshaw Publications; and, GoCrenshaw.Shop.
Hmmm…I could go on and on ‘til the break of dawn on this one - but I won’t. How about lack of Universal Health Coverage; absence of recommended pedestrian safety infrastructure and countermeasures; and inadequate public investment in Black/Brown communities.
Both in your work and with CBHN, how have you been able to prioritize the health of older Black Californians?
To name just three of many. Community Intelligence prioritizes the health of older Black Californians/Angelenos by (1) conducting secondary research on the leading preventable causes of morbidity and mortality for Black people and developing policy recommendations; (2) writing books that detail things that can be done walking, advocating for placemaking and (3) wayfinding signage that help to make walking more interesting, and forming Crenshaw Walks, a walking group.
My family, my garden, my pool, and kung fu.
https://www.optumsandiego.com/content/SanDiego/sandiego/en/county-staff---providers.html
I have been an official member of the Black Health Network since 2022, but I have been engaged in the California Black Health Network’s mission to build a black health agenda through its community outreach projects since 2017.
I am the Founder and CEO of Advocate for Nurturing Transition (ANT) Consulting and currently serve in the capacity as a Cultural Community Liaison Consultant for the African American community with Riverside University Health System - Behavioral Health.
Multiple barriers exist, beginning with the mistrust of the medical system coupled with a shortage of Black physicians. There is an inherent lack of trust within medical institutions between providers and Black patients. Unfortunately, trusted messengers such as the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the National Institute of Health have each published apologies for their support of structural racist practices and the exclusion of African American physicians. These institutions have been instrumental in ensuring that Black people were disproportionately underrepresented in research studies and clinical trials, thereby creating barriers that continue to directly affect Black Californians from achieving health equity.
I've been able to prioritize my work by staying informed, connected, and engaged through collaborations and community partnerships that support the health and well-being of older Black Californians.
You co-lead BHN's Healthy Aging Peer Network; what motivated you to take on the role, and what do you hope to accomplish?
I'm a lifelong learner, and I take joy in being an advocate. I hope through my advocacy work that I can one day be instrumental in transforming the consciousness of Black Californians to also serve as an advocate for self, family, and community.
There is much work to be done, and I'm inspired by knowing that my work brings me a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
I have been a member of CBHN for about one year. I was drawn to CBHN because of its commitment to the health and wellness of Black Californians. CBHN is the only organization I am aware of, solely devoted to Black health equity advocacy, reducing health disparities among Black health-seeking constituents, and committed to addressing health's social and economic determinants through education, awareness, and coalition building.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker dedicated to the emotional, psychological, spiritual, and physical health of Black people.
I believe several barriers exist, but I will focus on three. The first and most blatant is racism. The conscious/unconscious and biased/unbiased perspectives of Black people by non-Black people inform how Blacks can access care, how we experience the care given, and the disingenuousness and apathy in which we are collectively treated by non-Black healthcare professionals (and a few Black healthcare professionals). There is no compassion or grace applied to the delivery of care. The second is the invisible “caste” system in which Black people are placed in a “stratification hierarchy,” as eloquently articulated by Isabel Wilkerson, “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent,” which dictates how we are to be treated. The third is the impact of our posttraumatic slave trauma on our inability to “trust” the healthcare system, which has been and continues to be exploited as evidenced by a history of involuntary abortions, hysterectomies, research studies, pain-induced experiments, and the use of our biological cells to transform how terminal diseases are treated, thanks to Henrietta Lacks HeLa cell line, which immortalized one of the most important cell lines in cancer medical research.
Both in your work and with CBHN, how have you been able to prioritize Black mental health?
I have always been devoted to Black mental health and continue to be interested in mental health issues that impact Black people, especially those who are least likely to receive services. Black people are greatly affected by stress, anxiety, depression, and grief and loss, which is almost always directly correlated to racism, posttraumatic slave syndrome, or social stratification. This is usually manifested in Blacks being disproportionately represented either in the child welfare, juvenile justice, or correctional systems or economically impacted as reflected in unfair labor wages or high rates of unemployment and high rates of school failure in the K-12 public school system.
You serve as the lead for BHN's Behavioral Health Peer Network; what motivated you to take on the role, and what do you hope to accomplish?
I feel honored to serve CBHN as their Behavioral Health Peer Network lead. Black Mental Health is essential to our survival and intergenerational emotional health and wellness. For the first time, there is this emerging acceptance by Black people of the importance of one’s mental health. We are beginning to move away from the stigma and fully embrace our mental health. This is so exciting! Our children, youth, elders, and I am especially enthused by our Black men, all of whom are embracing their mental health. In this role, I hope to work with CBHN to both promote Black mental health and create a health provider resource directory so that Black consumers interested in finding health providers to serve them can access them through CBHN’s statewide directory.
We will probably be dealing with the reverberations of racism for quite some time. I see my role as helping us to care for ourselves in the presence of this invisible enemy and to allow us to cope with the emotional harm that comes with being Black in America. Further, I am committed to the healing work of our ancestors. We have been devastated by the psychological impact of chattel slavery and continue living with the psychological effect of posttraumatic slave syndrome. I am committed to being of service to us on our healing journey.
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