Black people are disproportionately affected by a number of health disparities, including heart disease, obesity, and cancer. These disparities are rooted in systemic racism and discrimination, which can lead to barriers to accessing quality healthcare.
Speak Black Health is a community brand that is working to elevate Black voices in healthcare and address health disparities in the Black community. They do this by educating people about healthcare issues, advocating for policy change, and supporting Black healthcare professionals.
In this blog post, we interview Kimberly Jones, the founder of Speak Black Health, to learn more about the organization’s work and its impact on the Black community.
What inspired you to build Speak Black Health?
Kimberly Jones: I was inspired to build Speak Black Health because I was frustrated and angry when my voice was not heard in healthcare. As a registered nurse and a black female patient, I experienced racism and discrimination from healthcare professionals. I also saw that many other Black people were having the same experiences.
I wanted to create a platform where Black people could share their stories and experiences, and where they could learn about healthcare issues that affect them. I also wanted to advocate for policy change that would improve access to quality healthcare for Black people.
What sets Speak Black Health apart from other healthcare organizations?
Kimberly Jones: Our strong commitment to advocacy and diversity sets us apart. We are the only healthcare organization that focuses specifically on addressing health disparities in the Black community. We also have a scholarship fund for Black medical and advanced nurse provider students.
How do you work with people in the food and beverage space to impact the Black community?
Kimberly Jones: We educate people in the food and beverage space about the importance of nutrition to combat diseases and illnesses that impact the Black community. We also partner with them to host events and webinars that promote healthy eating and lifestyles.
What role does food play in addressing health disparities within the Black community?
Kimberly Jones: Food plays a critical role in addressing health disparities within the Black community. Black communities are often located in food deserts, which means that they have limited access to fresh, healthy food options. This can lead to poor diets and an increased risk of chronic diseases.
We educate people about the importance of eating a healthy diet and we provide them with resources to help them find healthy food options. We also advocate for policies that would improve access to healthy food in Black communities.
How does Speak Black Health engage with the community to promote healthy living and well-being?
Kimberly Jones: We engage with the community to promote healthy living and well-being through a variety of channels, including:
- Webinars and online workshops
- Social media
- Print media
- Community outreach
We partner with health and wellness professionals to provide people with the information and resources they need to make healthy choices. We also advocate for policies that would promote healthy living and well-being in Black communities.
Can you describe a success story or a memorable experience related to your work with Speak Black Health?
Kimberly Jones: A memorable experience would be Invest Fest Atlanta 2023. I’m very confident in my brand but I wasn’t sure if my brand was the right fit for Invest Fest, but I was wrong-I made so many connections and to hear people who understand the racism exist in healthcare personally and professionally showed that my brand matters, my work matters and I shall keep going.
What are the organization’s goals and aspirations for the future?
Kimberly Jones: The goal is to transition SBH to a non profit to expand our reach and impact.
Are there any new projects, partnerships, or expansions on the horizon that our readers should know about?
Kimberly Jones: Yes we are hosting our first Not So Silent Gala in Houston TX October 24 and a percentage of the proceeds will be awarded to medical student’s scholarships. We will also possibly host our first annual brunch in April 2024 for National Minority Health Month.
All contributions will play a vital role in raising awareness about Speak Black Health and its mission.
If you have any additional questions or would like to provide further information, please feel free to find Speak Black Health at the details below.
Social: IG: @speakblackhealth
Email: speakblackhealth@gmail.com
Website: www.speakblackhealth.org