Black History Month: Black Health and Wellness
At Works Design, we strive to create a space where everyone is welcome and everyone counts – every single day.
So this year, to celebrate Black History Month in February, we’ve put together a list of resources focused – both today and in the past – on Black health and wellness. Have a look below to learn more about what we’re reading, what we’re listening to and who we’re following.
What We’re Reading
Medical Apartheid: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to the Present
Harriet A. Washington’s Medical Apartheid details the ways that both enslaved people and freedmen were used for experiments in hospitals without their knowledge (amazingly, such practices are still happening today in places). As the first full history of Black America’s medical mistreatment, Medical Apartheid provides context for understanding what has caused many Blacks in the U.S. to view researchers – and the entire medical establishment – with distrust.
Caring for Equality: A History of African American Health and Healthcare
From the arrival of enslaved Africans in the United States to today, Caring for Equality, by David McBride, tells the story of African Americans battling to improve poor Black health conditions and inadequate care. Featuring timelines and extensive research, Caring for Equality is an excellent read for those who want to explore this important and understudied topic in greater detail.
Undivided Rights: Women of Color Organize for Reproductive Justice
Jael Silliman, Marlene Gerber Fried, Loretta Ross and Elena R. Gutiérrez’s Undivided Rights tells the evolving and largely unknown activist history of Black women fighting for their reproductive rights. Filled with historical research, original organizational case studies and personal interviews, Undivided Rights highlights the groundbreaking work that has been done by health and reproductive rights organizations led by women of colour.
What We’re Listening To
Black Voices in Healthcare
Created by the California Medical Association’s partner podcast, The Nocturnists, Black Voices in Healthcare – hosted by Ashley McMullen, a primary care physician, and executive produced by Kimberly Manning, a physician and educator – is a podcast series that highlights accounts of racism in the workplace, as well as stories of Black joy, love and excellence.
Black Men in White Coats
According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, Black men make up less than 3 percent of physicians in the United States. The Black Men in White Coats podcast, hosted by Dr. Dale Okorodudu, partners with various medical schools in hopes to increase the number of Black men in medicine through exposure, inspiration and mentoring.
Therapy for Black Girls Podcast
When thinking of overall health, many people forget the impact that poor mental health and personal development can have. The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast, hosted by Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, is a weekly conversation about all things mental health, personal development and even the small decisions we make to become the best versions of ourselves.
Who We’re Following
Black Girl in Om
Founded by Lauren Ash in 2014, Black Girl in Om is an online community that provides meditation classes, podcast episodes and educational articles for Black women. Join the community on Instagram to learn more.
Dive in Well
To address the need for diversity and accessibility in the wellness space, Maryam Ajayi founded Dive in Well, offering inclusive digital workshops, workbooks, consulting and corporate training. Head to Dive in Well’s Instagram for more information.
Black Mental Health Alliance
With a goal of creating an equitable, respectful and compassionate society, the Black Mental Health Alliance works to develop, promote and sponsor trusted culturally relevant educational forums, training and referral services that support the health and well-being of Black people and their communities. Check out the BMHA on Instagram.
Get Involved
Works Design annually spotlights a local charity doing amazing work in our community. This year, we invite you to discover the important initiatives happening at the Black Health Alliance. This community-led registered charity works to improve the health and well-being of Black communities in Canada and create lasting change.
