According to Dr. Bill Releford, the app was developed by a coalition of Black medical professionals in response to the COVID-19 crisis, which has devastated African Americans and Latino communities. With Black Doctor 247, any person in the United States can access a Black doctor.
Californians living with diabetes, a group of doctors and some African American healthcare advocates are asking the state Senate to take up — and quickly vote on — an “urgent” public health bill that lawmakers have put on ice. If passed, the legislation would place a $50 cap on monthly copayments insurers require diabetic patients to cover when buying their insulin treatments.
If there is one recurring theme surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, it is that of fear. Twenty-four-hour news feeds on coronavirus cases have many people continually harassed and tormented by fear, anxiety, and uncertainty; the real weapons of mass destruction. It was once said: “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” I would like to proclaim that your mind is the most important asset that you possess, and protecting it from fear and cultivating courage should be your daily assignment. With a fearful mind, you will never have the tools to overcome and thrive during life’s turbulent events. You must
The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC) began its “Operation Love” activities in the wee hours of Sunday, May 10. Their goal for this day, one of the most celebrated days of the calendar year across the globe, was to celebrate Mother’s Day with the personal delivery of 500 baskets of essential personal and gift items with dinner to Mother’s who have been in isolation due to the pandemic. Mothers who are seniors, living in assisted living facilities and/or living in shelters and some who are homeless. This national effort took place on both the West and East coast where an additional 500 Washington, D.C. residents received services.
The COVID-19 pandemic is inarguably the most defining event in our lifetime, with far-reaching effects on every aspect of how we work, live, love and worship. Terms like “social distancing” and “isolation” seem to emerge from every angle, forcing us to re-evaluate our priorities and become acquainted with the meaning and value of solitude. I would myself admit that there are a few people I wouldn’t mind exercising “social distancing protocols” from, you know, to just take a moment and reassess everything. One fact I’ve realized is that strangely, our lives have been hijacked by the “noises” of our
Did you know that spiritual wellness has a significant impact on your physical health? If you’re wondering how spirituality and physical health is connected, research has shown that spirituality — the state of being in tune with our spiritual selves, mostly through mindfulness, meditation, and prayer, allows us to: lower our stress levels, feel more gratitude and satisfaction, achieve a renewed sense of purpose and form meaningful and healthier relationships with others. These spiritual wellness results usually translate into various physical health benefits, including: Improved Sleep – greater emotional satisfaction boots your dopamine levels (aka “happy hormones”), allowing you to
The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC) continued its “Operation Love” outreach April 19, with a drive to collect toilet paper for the Union Rescue Mission (URM). Located on skid row in downtown L.A., URM works directly with homeless individuals through its life-transforming ministry focused on the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. BHERC is a nonprofit, public benefit organization designed to advocate, educate, research, develop, and preserve the history and future of Black images in film and television. The “Operation Love” effort was planned to meet a dire, essential, and practical need during the COVID-19 pandemic. BHERC
The Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program (BBHOP) continues to distribute free face-masks and hand sanitizers to L.A.–area senior citizens as part of its effort to combat the spread of the COVID-19 disease among this vulnerable group. On April 9, Dr. Bill Releford, BBHOP founder, and organization members provided more than 700 masks and sanitizers to the Inglewood Senior Citizen Center. The items were dispersed to 500+ seniors who regularly receive lunch deliveries from the center. According to Human Services Superintendent Thomas Uwal, their clients were appreciative because they have been prohibited from attending the center under the governor’s social distancing
As the coronavirus rapidly enveloped the country, Dr. Bill Releford prayed for God’s direction to help the African American community in the greater South L.A. area. Releford, who founded the Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program, requested God’s guidance in using his skills and talents to reduce the occurrence of COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, in Black people. In response to Releford’s request, God gave him a tangible solution – distribute free sanitizers and face masks to the community, which is what Releford did on March 27. Joined by members of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, he and the men
In the wake of the March 31 murder of Ermias Asghedom, known worldwide as Nipsey Hussle, L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas has been at the forefront of engaging resources to stop the violence and heal the community in South Los Angeles. On April 5, he joined with Dr. Barbara Ferrer, L.A. County public health director, to open the Office of Violence Prevention. The new initiative, headquartered at the MLK Center for Public Health, will provide a range of programs for individuals and families to reduce violence and address trauma. “The scourge of gun violence has affected too many in our
This is a list consisting of people who made a difference through education, entrepreneurship, healthcare, philanthropy and love for their community. These Black men and women, through their passions, gave the community inspiration.
Releford explained that his rebound was based on techniques he developed to get his life back on track.
Thirty churches in the Los Angeles area participated in the Walgreens-sponsored First Ladies Health Day on April 8, where attendees received free health tests and medical screenings. During the event, free health tests and medical screenings were provided for the entire family to address preventative illnesses, which disproportionately affect African Americans and Hispanics. Medical healthcare partners from Walgreens and more than 50 health organizations provided medical advice and counseling, as well as screenings for hypertension, HIV/AIDS, glucose, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and certain forms of cancer.