Welcome back! It's been a while since we've dropped a podcast episode, but we hope the wait was worth it. We've got a production team and the sound is soooo much better! We hope you feel like you're really a part of the conversation when you listen. 

In this episode, we are recapping our major projects from 2021: the BRAVE study with the University of Washington; the Good Down There colorectal campaign in partnership with Cottonelle; speaking engagements with CVS Health and the State of Black America Conference; and our first BLKHLTH Conversations in South Africa! 
Then we chop it up with one another about how we're dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and our individual experiences with systemic failures, from being a student on a campus that quickly went back to in-person learning to having COVID and experiencing longer term effects on one's health. 

Listen, comment, rate us, and subscribe! Let us know if there are some topics you want us to cover in future episodes. We will drop one episode per month this year. And of course you can keep up with all the other things we are doing by following us on social media @blkhlth.

#9: We've Been Busy

Hey y'all! In this episode we're celebrating the end of Black History Month with some Black health history stories. We're giving you the scoop on Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, the Black woman behind Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine; Harriet Tubman's work in healthcare after freeing enslaved people; Dr. Rachel Hardeman, Dr. Elle Lett, and Dr. Lisa Bowleg, scholars in Black health equity; and Mercie's great-grandpa, Robert McCants Harris, Sr - the first black male nurse at Grady Memorial Hospital! 

Please listen, comment, rate us, and subscribe! Let us know if there are some topics you want us to cover in future episodes. We will drop one episode per month this year. And of course you can keep up with all the other things we are doing by following us on social media @blkhlth.

#10: Black Health History

Hey family! In this episode we're talking about what the end of federal funding for COVID testing and treatment means for Black folks and what we would do differently if we were in charge. 

Also we're in Year 2 of the #GoodDownThere colorectal cancer campaign so make sure you stay up to date on the campaign's events and opportunities to get one of the really cool colorectal cancer screening kits!

Please listen, comment, rate us, and subscribe! Let us know if there are some topics you want us to cover in future episodes. And of course you can keep up with all the other things we are doing by following us on social media @blkhlth.

#11: Joe Said We're Broke

Happy Juneteenth and Pride Month! In this episode we're discussing gun violence as a racial justice and health equity issue; and the impact of recent legislative attacks on trans rights and abortion access. 

We also invite you to our Juneteenth UmojaFest on Saturday June 18 in Atlanta! Go to https://www.blkhlth.com/events to learn more and register. Can't wait to see you there!

Please listen, comment, rate us, and subscribe! Let us know if there are some topics you want us to cover in future episodes. And of course you can keep up with all the other things we are doing by following us on social media @blkhlth.

#12: Freedom on Fleek

They can't break our souls! In this ep, we're talking about new music, the overturning of Roe v. Wade and its implications for Black people, and some quick facts about monkeypox.

Please find some abortion access and reproductive justice resources below:

Aid Access supports people with an unwanted pregnancy to access the abortion pill: https://aidaccess.org/en/

Reproductive Justice Organizations to donate to:
https://reprolegaldefensefund.org/give/
https://powertodecide.org/news/black-history-month-11-reproductive-justice-organizations-uplift
https://abortionfunds.org/about/

Articles to read:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/black-women-south-bracing-roes-fall-decades-rcna27097
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2022/06/29/despite-anti-abortion-campaigns-black-feminists-support-abortion-rights/

Recommended books:
Killing the Black Body and Torn Apart by Dorothy Roberts
https://www.dorothyeroberts.com/buy

#13: Less Monkeypox, More Abortions

Hey y'all! On this episode we're getting into the weeds of the concept of intersectionality and how it relates to health justice. Also we did a video recording of this episode so watch it on our Instagram or Youtube too!

#14: Intersectionality Matters

Hey family! Khadijah loves her cats, Pinot and Noir, and we're still waiting for Renaissance visuals!!! Beyoncé please! 

Also we're talking about structural racism in hospital financing - hospitals that serve majority Black populations have lower revenues and profits; and the implications of student loan forgiveness for Black health. 

Leave a comment, rate, and subscribe! Follow us on social media too at @blkhlth <3

#15: We Still Don't Have Renaissance Visuals

Hey cousins! In this episode, we discuss what we've been watching lately and then dive into a conversation on environmental racism, touching on topics like:
- Water crisis in Jackson, MS
- History of environmental justice movement
- "Cancer alley" in St. James Parish, LA
- Global racial implications of climate change

Some articles to read related to our conversation:

https://www.yesmagazine.org/environment/2021/04/22/environmental-racism-examples

https://www.ucc.org/what-we-do/justice-local-church-ministries/justice/faithful-action-ministries/environmental-justice/a_movement_is_born_environmental_justice_and_the_ucc/

Please leave a comment, rate, and subscribe! Follow us on social media too at @blkhlth!

#16: Climate Change is a Racial Justice Issue!

Cancer rates are on the rise for people younger than 50. We're talking about why that is and why it matters especially for Black people. Check out ProPublica's Cancer Heatmap ⁠here⁠: https://projects.propublica.org/toxmap/

A video of this episode is also available on our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/Lwatz2hBecQ

Don't forget to follow us on social media @blkhlth on all platforms!

#17: Why It Matters that Cancer Rates are on the Rise

In this episode, Felicity and Mbali of BLKHLTH SA sit down with Kim Windvogel, host of the Showmax docuseries Sex & Pleasure and co-founder of FEMMEPROJECTS, to talk all things sex, health, and ensuring one's physical, emotional, and spiritual safety.


In partnership with ⁠iQHAWE Magazine⁠. Check out ⁠this article⁠ from iQHAWE with a list of safe and inclusive sexual health resources in South Africa: https://www.iqhawemagazine.com/iq-corner/blkhlth-comprehensiveresourceguide

#18: Sex and Safety with Kim Windvogel

We're discussing the political determinants of health: how policy and politics impact Black people’s access to health-promoting services, resources, and environments. We dive into specific issues such as the Supreme Court's decision to strike down affirmative action in college admissions, anti-"woke" policies at the state level, and Cop City in ATL.

#19: Our Health at the Local, State, and Federal Levels

BLKHLTH has partnered with Advil and Morehouse School of Medicine on the Advil Pain Equity Project, a long-term commitment to champion equitable and accessible pain relief. Through research, education, and collaboration, we are working to illuminate the issue of pain inequity in Black communities. 

Join us for this special episode featuring Brytanny McClendon-Weary, a fourth-year medical student at Howard University College of Medicine. We are discussing the experiences of Black patients in pain and the need for a pain equity education course for medical students to achieve health equity. 

In 2024, the Advil Pain Equity Project will launch a course for health professionals to educate them on pain equity and offer tools and skills to help address the issue both in and outside of medical facilities. 

Stay up-to-date on this important initiative by going to https://www.believemypain.com/ and signing up for our mailing list. You can access all of the Advil Pain Equity Project resources mentioned in this episode at believemypain.com and #BelieveMyPain to share your stories with us!

#20: In Conversation with Brytanny McClendon for the Advil Pain Equity Project

Join BLKHLTH co-founders Mercie, Khadijah, and Matthew in this podcast episode in partnership with Planet Fitness for a crucial conversation on "Creating Equity in Fitness." Special guest Teddy Savage, National Lead Trainer at Planet Fitness, talks with the team about the intersection of fitness, nutrition, health equity, and social justice. 

Together, they delve into topics such as social determinants of health, racial disparities in physical activity, food deserts, and the impact of neighborhood environments on health and wellbeing for Black communities. 

Don't miss this empowering episode filled with actionable insights and strategies for promoting fitness and wellness for all!

Creating Equity in Fitness (BLKHLTH x Planet Fitness)

Join us in this episode as we navigate the complexities of the South African healthcare system and uncover root causes of the persistent structural inequities affecting access to quality care based on race, class, gender, and other identities. This exploration sheds light on both the strengths and hurdles of the system, offering a glimpse into the ongoing journey towards healthcare equity in South Africa.

Our guest, Pontsho Pilane, is a journalist, editor, media lecturer and trainer with a focus in health, race and gender and how they intersect. She is the communications manager at Soul City Institute for Social Justice, and the author of “Power and Faith: How Evangelical Churches are Quietly Shaping Our Democracy.” Pontsho is also a PhD candidate at Stellenbosch University, researching anti-obesity messaging and representations of fatness in media, science and policy texts and its impacts on fat women, particularly Black women.

Striving for Healthcare Equity in South Africa ft. Pontsho Pilane

Welcome to the first episode of the BLKHLTH podcast! We discuss mental health in the Black community with an expert on this topic, Dr. Ayanna Abrams, founder and CEO of Ascension Behavioral Health.

Want to know more about the signs that you should seek care from a mental health professional, where to look for a therapist, what to do if you don't have health insurance, and how therapy can be tailored to your cultural needs? Dr. Abrams has all the answers!

If you want to see more of Dr. Abrams' work, visit her website www.ascensionbehavioralhealth.com or www.drabramsabh.com. Follow her on Facebook at Ascension Behavioral Health LLC and Instagram @Dr_Ayanna_A. 

Stay connected with us! Follow @blkhlth on Instagram and Twitter, BLKHLTH on Facebook. Shop new merch, read and contribute to our blog, or find out about upcoming events at www.blkhlth.com.

#1: Mental Health Awareness with Dr. Ayanna Abrams

Our guest, Nneka Shoulds aka Nek the Nutritionist, is a Baltimore-based Nutrition Educator. Follow her on Instagram @NektheNutritionist and visit her website to see her work at www.nekthenutritionist.com.

Current Events: Joey Bada$$ stares at the sun; Issa should probably use condoms; devastating mudslide in Sierra Leone; and Charlottesville can affect our mental health and well-being.
If you want to suggest a topic for us to discuss during Current Events, let us know by e-mailing engage@blkhlth.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the BLKHLTH podcast! We love to hear your feedback, so leave us a comment on Itunes or Soundcloud. If you want to keep up with all the different projects we have going on, follow us on Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/errywhere @BLKHLTH. We always welcome contributions to our blog and other opportunities to collaborate. And say it with your chest with one of our “Black Health Matters” tees or check out our other merch on www.blkhlth.com!


Learn more about the Sierra Leone mudslide:
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/08/sierra-leone-mudslide-170816053741558.html

Donate here: 
https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/sierra-leone-mudslide-relief-fund/

https://publicgood.com/media/cnn/campaign/help-the-victims-of-the-mudslide-in-sierra-leone?utm_campaign=Do-Public-Good&utm_medium=button&utm_source=cnn&utm_content=http:%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2017%2F08%2F15%2Fworld%2Fiyw-aid-sierra-leone-mudslide-victims%2Findex.html

Music by @Dayggs

#2: Let's Talk What the Health, Plant-Based Eating, and Food Deserts with Nek the Nutritionist

Happy Black History Month! In this episode, the BLKHLTH team gets together to each discuss a big public health issue from 2017 and its implications for Black people. Then we talk about what policies and ideas to keep an eye on in 2018.

Listen + Subscribe! Visit our website https://www.blkhlth.com/ 

> Bustle article mentioned in this episode that Ava Duvernay retweeted (written by @blkkatie): 
https://www.bustle.com/p/how-black-millennials-are-taking-direct-action-to-achieve-food-justice-you-can-too-6764425

#3: 2017 Recap of Black Public Health Issues

Hey friends, we're back! In this episode, BLKHLTH + Gabby talk about our recent healthy behaviors, including getting a full night's rest.

Then we discuss the strange reaction to CDC employee Timothy Cunningham's disappearance and death; depression, mental health, and social media as a stressor; haircuts and health education; and the problem of homelessness amongst LGBTQ youth.

Some resources mentioned in the episode: 
> National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1-800-273-8255 

> Language When Talking About Suicide -  
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/suicide-prevention/worried-about-suicide/having-a-conversation-with-someone-you're-worried-about/language-when-talking-about-suicide
 
> Community Health Worker Certification Requirements by State -  http://www.healthreform.ct.gov/ohri/lib/ohri/work_groups/chw/chw_certification_by_state_feb_2016_chf.pdf

#4: Stay Woke, but Get Sleep

"Reunited and it feels so good..." Matt, Mercie, Khadijah and Paulah are all in Atlanta and back on the mic for this episode of the BLKHLTH podcast.

We talk prisoners in South Carolina not being evacuated for Hurricane Florence; latest policies for black women's health and maternal and child health; the high rates of homicide of transgender people; and the impact of adverse childhood experiences.

Check your voter registration status: https://www.nass.org/can-i-vote
NPR article about minorities and adverse childhood experiences: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/09/17/648710859/childhood-trauma-and-its-lifelong-health-effects-more-prevalent-among-minorities

If you like what you hear, subscribe and leave us a review + comment! Follow us on social media @blkhlth and visit our website www.blkhlth.com.

#5: The Gang is Back in ATL

Happy Black History Month! On this episode, we talk about ICE's detainment of rapper 21 Savage and the intersections of race and immigrant status; the history of the anti-vaccination movement; what the Governor of Virginia Ralph Northam's blackface photo says about US medical schools; and interpersonal violence and abuse in the Black community.

Download reports from the State of Black Immigrants Research Institute here: http://stateofblackimmigrants.com/

Stay connected with us! Follow @blkhlth on Instagram and Twitter, BLKHLTH on Facebook. Shop new merch, read and contribute to our blog, or find out about upcoming events at www.blkhlth.com.

#6: Blackface, Black History Month, and 21 Savage

This episode, we sit down with Rose Aka-James, Program Coordinator with the Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) and discuss BMMA's objectives for improving black maternal health, available resources, and Black Maternal Health Week 2019.

The second annual Black Maternal Health Week is from April 11 - 17, 2019. You can check for events happening near you here: https://blackmamasmatter.org/bmhw/

Read BMMA's policy agenda here: https://blackmamasmatter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/BMMA-PolicyAgenda-Digital.pdf

Here's the link to the article about the Georgia "Living Infants and Fairness Equality (LIFE)" Act - HB 481: https://rewire.news/legislative-tracker/law/georgia-living-infants-fairness-and-equality-life-act-hb-481/

Follow Black Mamas Matter Alliance on social media: @blackmamasmatter on Instagram and @blkmamasmatter on Twitter

Follow @blkhlth across all platforms! Subscribe, comment, and rate our podcast wherever you listen to it! 

Check out our new "Health is a Human Right" shirts here: blkhlth.com/shop

#7: Black Maternal Health with Rose Aka-James MPH

On this episode, Khadijah and Paulah sit down with Jan Christiansen (Executive Director) and Shenna Morris (Policy & Community Engagement Director) of the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence (GCADV). 

It is estimated that 40% of Black women will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime and Black women experience domestic violence at rates 30 to 50% higher than white women. 

Jan and Shenna tell us all about GCADV’s cross-cutting and innovative programs to address this racial disparity and end domestic violence in the state of Georgia. 

Rest in peace to Sandra Renee White and Téa Choates, pregnant Black women who were killed by their partners in Georgia this year.

Check out https://gcadv.org/ and @GCADV on all social media to learn more about this amazing organization. 

For tickets to the GCADV 40th Birthday Party on October 10, 2019: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gcadv-40th-birthday-party-tickets-65570738845

Links to more of GCADV’s work:
Undoing Racism / Racial Justice - https://gcadv.org/racialjustice/
Community Engagement- https://gcadv.org/projects-and-initiatives/community-engagement/

Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-33-HAVEN (42836)

Facilitation techniques from Liberating Structures:
http://www.liberatingstructures.com/

Music by @Dayggs

#8: A Conversation with Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence

We're creating a space for critical conversations about racism, health, and new ways forward.

BLKHLTH

Pinned to spotlight

Popular tracks