Colorado Black Health Collaborative has been working on educating the Community about menthol in the Black Community. We recently hosted a dynamic Symposium addressing this timely issue. In educating the Community we often point to the tobacco ads featuring vivacious Black people clinging to a menthol cigarette, “the source of their pleasure.” Prior to the Symposium we encouraged a couple of our young people to prepare a statement and art piece that represents their views about menthol tobacco products.
We would like to share their work and words with you on this topic. These were unfiltered and reflect the students’ perspectives. We are happy to give them a space to shine creatively and paint a view that doesn’t focus on the traditional way that we often approach the subject.
Kennidi Nobles is a high school senior at George Washington High School in Denver.
In this project I decided to take inspiration from the tobacco plant and use it as the center of this painting. It’s a metaphor for how the Black Community specifically is targeted by huge tobacco companies. As studies show that predominantly Black communities/neighborhoods across the country tend to have more products containing menthol tobacco advertised throughout the stores or places around them. Posters advertising cheaper prices for menthol tobacco cigarettes is a common example. Studies have found that little cigars and cigarillos are more available, cheaper, and highly advertised in Black neighborhoods. I wanted to showcase this by having a young Black boy in the dark with dim lighting surrounded by plants (inspired by the tobacco plant including the many GMO plants containing tobacco as well) and naturally he picks up one. It’s a reference to the logic behind advertisement repetition. If a person sees something advertised over and over, naturally they will be more likely to buy the product, in this case it’s menthol tobacco cigarette ads which are fatal. THIS IS TRULY A SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUE.
Pheobe is a high school senior at DSST: Green Valley Ranch High School.
“When I think of cigarettes and the damages it does to our bodies, it makes me think of losing my hair. My hair is something I treasure and take for granted most of the time. I sometimes forget about my hair and neglect to adequately care for it, but that does not prevent it from performing its function. However, failing to care for our hair on a regular basis will lead to hair loss. Our lungs, like our hair, are something we take for granted. By smoking, people are slowly damaging their lungs, and until they notice how great of a damage smoking has done, they really don’t appreciate what they have until it’s gone. But unlike hair, when people treat their lungs badly, they can’t start over. Do something about it now, until it’s too late and you’re faced with irreversible harm.”
Join Donate Life Colorado to #ShowYourHeart for National Donate Life Month (NDLM) by sharing why you signed up as an organ, eye and tissue donor!
What is National Donate Life Month?
National Donate Life Month is a time to spread awareness about organ, eye and tissue donation and honor those who gave the gift of life. This observance is celebrated every April and was established by Donate Life America in 2003. In our community, Coloradans celebrate by showing their heart in support of organ, eye and tissue donation.
Why showing your support for donation and transplantation is important
We are proud that Colorado is one of the most supportive states in the country when it comes to signing up to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor. Yet there are still nearly 2,000 people in our community, including nearly 200 Blacks and African Americans, waiting for a lifesaving transplant. Showing your heart in support of organ, eye and tissue donation brings hope to those waiting for a lifesaving transplant. If 2,000 of us show our hearts and inspire just one other person to sign up as a donor, thousands of our neighbors could be saved and healed by the gift of life.
How You Can #ShowYourHeart for National Donate Life Month:
Getting involved is easy! Just visit DonorAlliance.org/ShowYourHeart to:
- UPLOAD your photo
- CUSTOMIZE it with a
- SHARE with your friends on social media for a chance to win a Donate Life Mystery Box!
We NEED YOU to #ShowYourHeart in support of those waiting for the gift of life! Sharing with friends and family that you’re a registered donor equals spreading awareness for the cause… and HELPS SAVE LIVES!
Other Ways You Can #ShowYourHeart:
- Download Resources in the Online Toolkit: Help promote organ, eye, and tissue donation in your area! Find social media graphics, stories of hope, donation stats & facts and more in the National Donate Life Month online toolkit.
- Participate in Blue and Green Day: On Friday, April 16th, supporters of organ, eye, and tissue donation around the United States will celebrate National Blue & Green Day! Simply wear your best blue and green outfit, snap a picture and upload it here! You can then share that picture on your social pages, encouraging your friends and family to get in on the fun. Also, be on the lookout for a Facebook Live Coffee & Conversation where we’ll sit down with our Advocates for Life who’ve been touched by the gift of life. Tune in to listen to their stories, hear why they support organ, eye, and tissue donation and learn how YOU can get involved this April. Follow Donate Life Colorado for updates.
- Sign Up to be an Organ, Eye, and Tissue Donor: Say Yes to organ, eye, and tissue donation when you visit the driver license office to obtain or renew your license or state I.D. You can also sign up anytime online at DonateLifeColorado.org.
There is no doubt that 2020 was a year of intense focus on the Covid-19 pandemic and all aspects of our lives have been flooded with crucial information about how to keep safe (masks, hand hygiene and maintaining distance). Sadly, the pandemic continues but now there is a safe and effective vaccine. The public health focus now has expanded to educating all communities, particularly communities of color, about the importance of getting a vaccine when it is our turn. Take a look at highlights and Vaccine Q & A from the very well-attended February 13th vaccination event at the New Hope Baptist Church in Denver.
While Covid-19 has dominated our lives, multiple other health conditions continue to impact our futures and quality of life and can place an individual at higher risk for complications from Covid-19. For example, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and kidney disease increase the risk for serious complications related to coronavirus infection. These diseases, along with cancer, immunosuppression (e.g., resulting from a transplant), sickle cell disease, as well as other conditions are called “co-morbidities.” The risk of severe Covid-19 symptoms is a sobering reminder to pay attention to our overall health and to do all we can to prevent obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and kidney disease.
Throughout the year there are numerous observances that remind us to be aware of conditions that impact our health. For example, in the month of April there are multiple health conditions and lifestyle practices that are observed such as Alcohol Awareness, Stress Awareness, Parkinson’s Disease Awareness and Testicular Cancer. In the month of May there are observances for Arthritis, Hepatitis and Lupus. The month of August is National Immunization Awareness Month. Now more than ever, it is important every month of the year to learn about conditions that might put us at higher risk for Covid-19 complications.
March is National Kidney Month and according to the National Institute of Health (NIH), African Americans are almost four times as likely as Whites to develop kidney failure. African Americans make up about 13 percent of the population, yet they account for 35 percent of the people with kidney failure in the United States.
Infographic Source: KidneyFund.org
Diabetes and high blood pressure are the leading causes of kidney failure among African Americans. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (part of the NIH), you can prevent kidney disease through healthy diet, increased exercise, controlling blood pressure, and staying on top of your risk by speaking with your doctor about kidney disease. Other lifestyle modifications such as reducing stress and limiting alcohol intake go a long way in maintaining healthy kidney function. The National Kidney Foundation (Denver affiliate) offers many education and support programs to the public and to kidney disease specialists.
As we welcome the month of March and hope for mild Spring weather that will allow more outdoor socializing with loved-ones, it remains important to mask up, wash hands frequently, avoid crowds and maintain at least a 6ft social distance (and get vaccinated!). Let’s also remember during National Kidney Month how vital it is to take steps to reduce the risk of Kidney Disease.
By: Sheila Cohen, MSW, LCSW – Colorado Black Health Collaborative Volunteer
News reports abound citing the vaccine hesitancy among Black Americans. Collectively this reluctance to get the vaccine is based on historical mistrust of the health care system, concern about the vaccines themselves, and fear of the long-term effects.
However, on the Saturday before Valentine’s Day, the day of love, nearly 700 of our community members braved the bitter cold to get jabbed at the New Hope Baptist Church Vaccination Event. New Hope served as the host to a partner site for University of Colorado (UC) Health who helped coordinate the event and administer the Pfizer vaccine. Colorado Black Health Collaborative (CBHC) and its great volunteers chipped in to help recruit and schedule appointments for participants. The CBHC Health Access Committee also participated on the day of the event, performing various functions.
This event for those 65 years of age and older, was intentionally held in a trusted space with people that the community trusts. We saw seniors stepping high, some in wheelchairs and others using walkers. Some folks wore fur coats and fancy hats. Whether plain or fancy, everyone wore a mask. Some people came alone while others were accompanied by family or friends. The event proved to be a veritable family reunion as people recognized a familiar voice or telling eyes of friends they had not seen in a while. It was a wonderful sight to see– so many Black people taking this vaccine that gives us hope to get back closer to life as we knew it. Health systems and the local government are planning to tap other trusted resources and locations to help ensure that the Black community will not be the last to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
About the COVID-19 Vaccines
At this point, two vaccines have been approved to vaccinate against COVID-19. Both use mRNA technology. Read COVID-19 Vaccine, Not a Modern Day Tuskegee Experiment – Dr.TeaNT to find out more how these vaccines work.
We have included a few answers to questions that have come to our attention over the past few months. You can get additional answers to your questions at the CDC website, Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination | CDC.
Questions
Question: Does the immunity you get from having COVID-19 infection last longer than from getting the COVID-19 Vaccine?
Answer: The protection you get from having an infection (called natural immunity) varies depending on the disease, and it varies from person to person. Since this virus is new, we don’t know how long natural immunity might last. Current evidence suggests that reinfection with the virus that causes COVID-19 is uncommon in the 90 days after initial infection.
Regarding vaccination, we won’t know how long immunity lasts at this point, but researchers are continuing to monitor and gather data on this important issue. Scientist do believe that the immunity from the vaccine will last longer and be more robust than natural immunity.
Both natural immunity and vaccine-induced immunity are important aspects of COVID-19 that experts are trying to learn more about. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) will keep the public informed as new evidence becomes available.
Question: What percentage of the population needs to get the COVID-19 vaccine to have herd immunity to COVID-19?
Answer: Dr. Fauci says we need about 70-85% of the U.S. population to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to achieve herd immunity. There are 330 million Americans, so we have a long way to go.
The fact is that we do not know exactly what percentage of people would need to get vaccinated to achieve herd immunity to COVID-19. We do have to rely on expert opinions like Dr Fauci’s right now. Herd immunity describes when enough people have protection either from past infection or vaccination—that it is unlikely a virus or bacteria can spread, causing disease. As a result, everyone within the community is protected even if some people don’t have any protection themselves.
Question: Can the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines give someone COVID-19?
Answer: These mRNA vaccines don’t cause COVID-19 infection. The mRNA only lasts a short time in the body and does not affect DNA or change your genes. These vaccines do not use the live virus that causes COVID-19. No virus is injected into the body. The mRNA is basically the instruction manual that tells the body to develop the spike protein, which then activates the body’s immune system against COVID-19.
Question: If I have an egg allergy can I take the COVID-19 vaccine?
Answer: You can take the COVID-19 vaccine if you have egg allergy. The mRNA vaccines that are currently available do not contain eggs, preservatives, or latex. People with other food allergies can take the COVID-19 vaccine as well
Question: Are they giving Black People an inferior or different version of the COVID-19 vaccine?
Answer: Black Americans have been and will continue getting the same safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine that other U.S. populations have received. Distribution of the vaccine to vulnerable populations including Black people has been a concern since vaccinations began. In many states, the vaccinations of Blacks have lagged behind. Health systems and governmental entities have developed some strategies to address these inequities.
Have other questions? Please drop us a line @ [email protected].
Watch Dr. Justina Ford’s Celebration on Facebook Live
@ 12:00 PM (Noon) on Thursday- January 22nd, 2021 at (20+) Lambe PR | Facebook/
OR
You can also Join Online + On TV
bawmhc.org and Denver Community Media Comcast Change 56, 57, 881 HD.
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Colorado Black Health Collaborative is happy to give a shout out on January 22, 2021 commemorating the birthday of Dr. Justina Ford. We share this short piece to honor and appreciate her work and commitment.
Happy Birthday Dr. Justina Ford
150 years and we are still praising your name.
You were a true pioneer.
Everyone now recognizes your fame.
You were selfless and followed God’s letter.
You paved the way to help make lives better.
You created a gilded path for other ladies.
Man, did you deliver a lot of babies!
You proved that you can’t keep a good Black woman down.
You denied defeat and earned your crown.
50 years of medical practice what a phenomenal feat.
We are all honored to be able to walk the same streets.
This is where you connected and contributed so much to our community.
We need to continue your work, performing in unity.
Your validation was not in privileges or memberships.
But, from those patients who cherished your medical care.
Who you gave sage advice and healthy living tips.
You also tended to their social needs.
Great DEEDS, indeed!
Your BIRTH DAY will be forever etched in our hearts.
Dear Partner in Education:
Next week we will honor the life, legacy, and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Most notable for his speeches that spoke truth to power, this day was not quickly deemed as a holiday as we see it today. Shortly after his assassination in 1968, the campaign to federally recognize Martin Luther King, Jr. began; however, it was not until 1983 that the holiday was signed into law. Finally, in 2000, all 50 states formally acknowledged and observed the holiday.
Over the past 20 years, I have enjoyed our University and City MLK Celebration and Program that amplified our talented students and community members with theatrical presentations, readings, songs, and dance. However, this year, my observance and reflection will be different. The change from the normal is not only due to the pandemic but rather due to the Capitol uprising fraught with white supremacy and anti-Semitism. Furthermore, the double standards used to regulate the rioters have been witnessed by black and brown folks throughout our nation. As a consequence, feelings of anxiety, grief, uncertainty, and anger are front and center as we also continue to be students, parents, teachers, grandparents, tios and tias, and just humans. Dr. Fischer, UNC History Professor, sums up this sentiment in an article written by Katie Corder titled “UNC Expert: The Capitol Riot and its Lasting Impacts“: “There’s a series of divisions and wounds that were potentially opened larger and are going to be more difficult to heal.”
Reading many of MLK’s speeches and his ideals on non-violence, I have developed a broader viewpoint on the Civil Rights movement. Many of our friends, colleagues, and family members would agree that a lot has changed since then. Perhaps this is true for some, but for many, the retort might be: for whom have things changed? I asked UNC student Grant Stephens, a senior Human Services major and UNC football player, to share his reflections as a Black Man in America. He provided an essay titled “Why America May Go to Hell: The Truth and Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”
Finally, please take part in what students and staff of UNC in collaboration with Aims Community College, High Plains Library District, City of Greeley, and District 6 have planned for you. Your family, friends, and neighbors are all welcome.
Monday, January 18
9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Register here, and an access link to Zoom will follow
Additional resources to commemorate MLK and the Civil Rights Movement:
- An ‘Exhausted’ Martin Luther King Jr.’s Final 31 Hours
- MLK Address: “The Other America”
- Collection of MLK Speeches via Spotify
- Celebrating Songs of protest and freedom from the Civil Rights era via Spotify
- Interview with a member of the Little Rock Nine, Ms. Carlotta Walls LaNier “A Dress and a Dream
- Please copy and paste the MLK design element below and place it in your signature line
For more information, please visit The King Center. Additionally, please find a compilation of resources located under DEI Education and Resources on the Equity & Inclusion site and UNC Libraries under DEI & Antiracism Resources.
Be well,
Tobias
Dr. Tobias J. Guzmán
Associate Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer
Pronouns: He|Him|His
Division of Student Affairs
University of Northern Colorado
1862 10th Ave | Campus Box 18 | Greeley, CO 80639
https://www.unco.edu/equity-inclusion/ | O: 970-351-1944
The beginning of a new year comes with a sense of renewed hope, new opportunities and even new ways to give back and care for your community. There’s no doubt that 2020 was a year like no other with a “new normal” for almost all the things we do in our day-to-day life, including how we welcomed 2021 and making resolutions for the New Year.
This year, you may be thinking about your New Year resolutions in a different way—you may want to prioritize your health, adopt a sleeping routine or turn your sights on giving back to others who are less fortunate. Whatever you have in mind, don’t forget to include a few feel-good and attainable goals on your list.
A feel-good New Year resolution: Sign up as a donor
Want an achievable, feel-good resolution? We have the perfect idea for you! Make signing up as an organ, eye and tissue donor one of your resolutions for 2021. Giving the gift of live through organ donation and transplantation will not only make you feel accomplished but also give hope to the nearly 2,000 people in our region, including almost 200 Blacks and African Americans, waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. The best part: It will only take you a few minutes to complete this resolution and cross it off your list.
Wondering what it means to sign up to be an organ, eye and tissue donor?
Signing up as an organ, eye and tissue donor means you have made the decision to donate your organs, eyes and tissues at the time of your death. Your decision to be a donor takes priority over your family’s preferences, so be sure and discuss your decision with loved ones.
Anyone, of any age, with any kind of medical history can choose to sign up as an organ, eye and tissue donor. Your health, age and lifestyle should not be factors in your decision to help others in the event of your death. Even people with chronic medical conditions and infectious diseases may be able to donate. The organs and tissue that can actually be used will be determined at the time of your death. Don’t rule yourself out; you can save lives!
How to sign up as a donor during these times
Simply register your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor. You can sign up online anytime without leaving your house at DonateLifeColorado.org. Moreover, you can still sign up when you go to your local driver’s license office. Remember, things may look different at your local office, so learn what precautions are in place prior to your visit.
As you get ready to tackle or choose your resolutions and intentions for 2021, we encourage you to learn more about organ, eye and tissue donation and sign up as an organ, eye and tissue donor. Your heroic decision can save and heal lives. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our friends at Donor Alliance at (303) 329-4747 or at their Facebook page @DonateLifeColorado.