Igniting Hope Radio: Recent Episodes
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A deep dive into social norms and systems contributing to the Health Inequities Black people face in America. The conversation is led by Pastor George F Nicholas, an advocate for social justice, community revitalization and a founding member of the African American Health Equity Task Force. Our mission is to report the facts and Ignite Hope in the fight to eliminate race-based disparities and achieve health equity.
Leveraging Equity in any context is an emotional term that can be supported by reliable facts. The only way to change hearts and minds is through emotional engagement – get people behind it – and continuously support the concept with facts.
Pastor George Nicholas, MDiv is the Senior pastor of Lincoln Memorial United Methodist Church and Chairman of the Buffalo Center for Health Equity.
Ep. 27 Tobacco use is a major contributor to the three leading causes of death among African Americans—heart disease, cancer, and stroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 40,000 Black people die annually from cigarettes annually but on Saturday June 24th the Tobacco Free Erie Niagara Coalition is holding a funeral for "Menthol" celebrating the death of cigarette use. In this episode Stan Martin gives us the story behind the motivation for this event and his mission to work with tobacco users to help them quit the product that, when used as intended, will kill you.
For decades, Big Tobacco marketed menthol cigarettes to African Americans by giving them away in neighborhoods, at festivals and other events. While the use of tobacco products is about equal among Blacks and Whites, African Americans are more likely to smoke menthol cigarettes, inhaling the smoke deeper into their lungs and making it more difficult to quit.
- NYS smoker quit line- 1 866 NY quits, https://www.nysmokefree.com/
About the Guest
Stan Martin, MM is the Buffalo Office Director for Cicatelli Associates Inc. He possesses over 20 years of experience in program planning, coordination and implementation of community initiatives focused on tobacco control, chronic disease prevention, healthy eating, nutrition, optimal adolescent health, and vaccine hesitancy in historic oppressed populations.
Contact Stan "The Man" via email smartin@caiglobal.org Throughout his decade of service with CAI, he has held several key leadership positions, which promote health and wellness, facilitation of youth-community led initiatives including HOPE Buffalo, REACH Buffalo & Advancing Tobacco Free Communities. Mr. Martin has expertise in building the capacity of community stakeholders to address the social determinants of health, utilization of Community Based Participatory Research, Collective Impact and Population-Based Health strategies that promote systemic and policy change at every level of the socio-ecological model, which lead to the transformation of social norms.
Ep. 26 Sherman Webb-Middlebrooks is on a mission to fill a void in his community by creating a safe space for Black men to engage in conversations about mental, physical, and spiritual health. But with a system designed to benefit from their trauma and struggle, Sherman's journey is anything but easy. Will he be able to break the mold and provide a new path for black men?
"Exposure leads to expansion.
If I can expose brothers to different environments, different conversations,
get them to think thoughts and never thought before,
then I can expand their mind." -Sherman Webb-Middlebrooks
This conversation with Pastor George Nicholas brings to light the staggering health disparities faced by African American men, particularly around mental health and suicide prevention.
Public school systems and the criminal justice system often disproportionately affect Black men, contributing to a range of mental health challenges. Recognizing these systemic issues and acknowledging the role they play in the mental health crisis of the black community is essential in driving positive change.
Sherman has taken it upon himself to bridge the gap between black men and community programs designed to improve mental health and wellness as the Program Manager of the Black Men's Health Initiative at the Buffalo Center for Health Equity. He believes that by creating a culture and community of support, black men can find the resources and connections they need to thrive, ultimately changing the narrative and breaking the cycle of trauma that has persisted for far too long. This passion stems from his upbringing surrounded by strong female role models, who taught him the importance of emotional intelligence and communication.
In this episode, you will be able to:
- Investigate the presence of stigma tied to mental health in the Black community and its effects.
- Evaluate the gaps in provision of culturally appropriate mental health care for the Black community.
- Analyze the systemic factors that intensify the mental health crisis affecting the Black community.
- Realize the importance of community connections and protected spaces in fostering Black men's mental health.
RESOURCES
Black Men's Health Initiative www.buffalohealthequity.org
Buffalo Fatherhood Initiative Podcast On YouTube
ABOUT THE GUEST
Sherman D. Webb-Middlebrooks is a full-time black man, public intellectual, and lifelong Buffalo resident with a passion for youth development and community building. He holds a BA in Psychology and American History from D'Youville College, and has extensive experience in education and community outreach.
Sherman is an experienced facilitator, and has a proven track record of delivering high-quality educational programs and activities that address identified programming priorities around DEI, anti-racism, nutrition, health, and wellness. He has worked with several organizations and institutions including the NYS Public Health Fellows & both Cornell's 4H Healthy Community Youth Advocates program and Youth Community Action Network as a key contact in the Buffalo community.
OTHER EPISODES YOU'LL ENJOY
What’s Strong with Black Men? With Stan Martin
”He’s My Brother, Not an Inmate”: How to Help a Loved One Re-enter Society After Incarceration
Buffalo May 14 Massacre: Politically or Racially Motivated? with Dr. Henry Taylor
Mother of Buffalo Mass Shooting Victim Speaks Out and Fights Back |
Ep. 25 Sade Dozan joins Pastor George to talk about their personal experiences with caring for aging parents and the upcoming event addressing the need for care for the caregivers.
In this episode we explore the following questions:
Should you give up your life to care for elderly parent?
How do you deal with the stress of caring for an elderly parent?
What resources are available for caregivers in Buffalo, NY The Western New York Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association in partnership with the Buffalo Center for Health Equity presents “It’s A Family Affair: 3rd Annual Black/African American Caregiver Conference,”
Saturday April 1st from 1pm - 3:30pm at the Frank Merriweather Library 1324 Jefferson Avenue, Buffalo, NY
The conference will focus on the unique challenges faced by family caregivers in communities of color. Join us in person or log in via Zoom.
Register at bit.ly/AlzFamConf23 or call 800.272.3900.
Sponsored by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York and made possible by a grant from the NYS Dept. of Health.
ABOUT THE GUEST
Sadé Dozan, Chief of Operations & Development, at Caregiving Across Generations is a witness to the power collective voice has in shifting culture and policies surrounding under-resourced communities and marginalized groups.
Sade is a Black Latina millennial and sandwich generation caregiver living in New Jersey. She cares for her mother and father, who are both in their 70s and chronically ill, and her young daughter. As someone with a disability herself, she balances her own care with that of her loved ones and navigates paid leave, child care, aging and disability care—all while working full time."
Other episodes you'll enjoy
A Call For Safe and Equitable Maternal Health with Danise Wilson
Why Inclusion in Medical Science is Critical for Black Communities
Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease with Claire Corwin
Ep. 24 Discover the shocking disparities in health equity revealed by the Erie County Initial Report. Kelly Wofford is the director of the Erie County Department of Health Equity, established by law in 2020. She is responsible for the Health Equity in Erie County: An Initial Disparities Report - This report is intended to serve as a resource for all Erie County residents so that they can better understand the issues and status of health equity and health disparities in Erie County.
Through surveys, targeted outreach and focus groups, Kelly and her team gave a voice to the people who have historically been left out of conversations.
In this episode, you will learn the following:
1. How Erie County's Office of Health Equity is using equity to address the social determinants of health for marginalized communities in Western New York.
2. How the Office of Health Equity collected data from more than 3,000 Erie County residents.
3. How the Office of Health Equity is building relationships with community members to ensure their stories are heard.
Resources
Office of Health Equity established in Erie County
https://www3.erie.gov/health/health-equity
Office of Health Equity written into Law
https://www3.erie.gov/health/sites/www3.erie.gov.health/files/2023-02/locallawheoffice.pdf
Buffalo Center for Health Equity
257 W. Genesee Street Suite 160
Buffalo, NY 14202
admin@buffalohealthequity.org
Other episodes you'll enjoy
Black Mamas: A Call For Safe and Equitable Maternal Health with Danise Wilson
Buffalo Massacre: Politically or Racially Motivated? with Dr. Henry Taylor
Food Apartheid on Buffalo’s Eastside with Rita Hubbard-Robinson
About the Guest
With a career centered in health engagement and advocacy, Kelly Marie Wofford began her role as the inaugural director of the Erie County Department Office of Health Equity in late 2021. The Office of Health Equity is a new initiative that focuses on evaluating health disparities and improving health outcomes in Erie County, and building partnerships for programs that help marginalized and diverse populations in Erie County achieve maximum health and wellness.
Prior to her role establishing the Erie County Office of Health Equity, Kelly led
community relations at Erie County Medical Center as well as communications efforts and mental health advocacy for the Buffalo Center for Health Equity. Her leadership was also pivotal in the creation of the University at Buffalo’s Institute for Community Health Equity, a research institute – the first of its kind – that partners with the Buffalo Center for Health Equity and the Erie County Office of Health Equity to provide the research needed to achieve the vision of a
more healthy, equitable, and just community.
Ep. 23 Stan Martin joins Pastor George to address the leading cause of death among Black American adults.
There is a concerted plan to destroy us. We need to be diligent about supporting policy that support us. Tobacco is responsible for deaths needs to held responsible. Big tobacco places profit over people. WE must place public health over Tobacco.
Big Tobacco is the villain and we cannot allow them to divide us. It’s time for it to stop. It is our intention to bring truth and awareness where there is division…provide healing. Expose the actors outside of our community that try to manipulate the hearts and minds of our leaders.“Stop carrying the water” that provides sickness.
Stan Martin, MM is the Buffalo Office Director for Cicatelli Associates Inc.He possesses over 20 years of experience in program planning, coordination and implementation of community initiatives focused on tobaccocontrol, chronic disease prevention, healthy eating, nutrition, optimal adolescent health, and vaccine hesitancy in historic oppressed populations. Stats and facts
- In the last 12 months 40000 have be lost as a result in cigarette smoking
- Menthol cigarettes, more flavorful, more addictive... marketed to the African American community
- Kills more ppl than car accidents, suicide, and AIDS combined. Cancer related deaths are preventable
New legislation
New York Governor Hochul Proposal to Ban the Sale of All Flavored tobacco Products, Including Menthol, https://www.health.ny.gov/press/releases/2023/2023-02-09_flavored_tobacco_products.htm
Both sides of the issue
Con
- Sale and distribution of menthol would criminalize smokers and increase negative encounters with ppl and community
- Black market for menthol cigarette
Pro
- African Americans are more vulnerable to health-related diseases connected to smoking menthol and other flavored tobacco product…this legislation will set a boundaries...Restricting the ability of big tobacco from targeting the next generation
Resources
- Referencing paraphrased quote… If you are not gonna target youth, you will be out of business…https://www.lakecountyil.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2809/Tobaccos-Target---YOU-PDF?bidId=
- NYS smoker quit line- 1 866 NY quits, https://www.nysmokefree.com/
About the Guest
Stan Martin Project Director / Senior Trainer Ciatelli Associates,
smartin@caiglobal.org
Throughout his decade of service with CAI, he has held several key leadership positions, which promote health and wellness, facilitation of youth-community led initiatives including HOPE Buffalo, REACH Buffalo & Advancing Tobacco Free Communities.Mr. Martin has expertise in building the capacity of community stakeholders to address the social determinants of health, utilization of Community Based Participatory Research, Collective Impact and Population-Based Health strategies that promote systemic and policy change at every level of the socio-ecological model, which lead to the transformation of social norms.
Ep. 22 The need for Black maternal health care has never been more pressing. According to the CDC, in New York City alone, Black women are nine times more likely to die of a pregnancy-related cause than white women, and their rate of infant mortality is more than three times higher.
In this episode Pastor George Nicholas is joined by Danise Wilson, Executive Director of the Erie Niagara Area Health Education Center to discuss how Doula services can help and how you can attend a free conference offering tons of resources for Black Mamas.
Danise, had a heart attack days after giving birth and she continues to have health problems years later because she was not heard.More than a hot topic, this crisis impacts black moms and babies we must be intentional in our efforts in mitigate the negative outcomes.
ABOUT THE GUEST
Danise Wilson, MPH Executive Director of the Erie Niagara Area Health Education Center. Erie Niagara AHEC is dedicated to creating a diverse healthcare workforce and well-informed community. Our educational programs address community health issues such as maternal health, opioid use, and health literacy.
Learn more at https://www.erieniagaraahec.org/
RESOURCES
J. Marion Sims, American Physician/SurgeonA fresh look at the historical record
What are the benefits of having a doula?A doula is a professional labor assistant who provides physical and emotional support to you and your partner during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period.
Are you a Medicaid-eligible Black or Brown mother in Erie county? Would you like doula services to help you through your prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum journey at no charge? Please contact mackley@erieniagaraahec.org
Erie Niagara AHEC Mother-Doula Program Enrollment Form
EVENT: Black Mama: A Call for Safe & Equitable Maternal Health February 22 in Buffalo, NYThis free mini conference will focus on Black maternal health with an emphasis on post-partum care.
Ep. 21 The Buffalo Center for Health Equity partners with the Future Hope Apprenticeship and Recovery Program to support people who were incarcerated and help them cope with the many difficult aspects of successful reintegration into the community.
Our mission is to provide valuable job opportunities in the construction trade, along with life-skills, education and job readiness training for a sustainable future.
Key training areas include: carpentry, painting, drywall, taping, and roofing.
Resources:
www.futurehopeapprenticeship.org
www.buffalohealthequity.org
Future Hope Apprentice was established in order to provide re-entry assistance for ex-offenders on a permanent basis. The primary clients are male and female youth offenders and ex-offenders who are in the process of reintegration into their communities. Graduates from a full year of the FHAP will be fully qualified for formal apprenticeship programs in the building trade unions, leading to union membership and permanent jobs.
Reverend Emanuel Hutcherson, leads the staff and volunteers of FHAP which includes psychologists, licensed substance abuse counselors, government and service agencies in the State of Massachusetts. This is a project that is both inspired and run by the community it serves.
Reverend Emanuel L. Hutcherson is a native from upstate Buffalo New York.He is the Executive Director of Prison Prevention Ministry / Founder ofFuture Hope Apprenticeship & Recovery Program Inc. and D.Y.S. mentor program.He’s a formal Chaplain for Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department house of Correction. He completed his leadership ministerial education at Greater Love Tabernacle Church and Gordon Cornwell Theological Seminary.He strives for reconciliation between returning citizens and today’s society, by integrating values health wellness, recovery, mentoring, spirituality with economic development.
Episode 20 The 2022 Igniting Hope Podcast featured speaker Reverend Dr. Heber Brown, III is empowering the black community to take control of their food security.
In this episode, you will learn:
1. How did African Americans gain control of the food supply chain in the past, and how can this knowledge be used to create a more equitable food system in the present?
2. What is the connection between the African American church and food security?
3. How can a focus on the spiritual aspects of food justice help to create a more sustainable and equitable food system?
Reverend Dr. Heber Brown, III is a pastor and founder of the Black Church Food Security Network. He travels around the country advocating for food security within the African American community. He visited Buffalo, New York and was disturbed by the lack of access to healthy food for many within the city. He attributes this to a lack of control and agency within the community when it comes to food. He believes that the African American community must begin to look to the black church as a key source of empowerment when it comes to food. The black church has a
In this episode, Pastor George and Rev. Brown tackle the following issues
How do we break the cycle/How do we care for ourselves
Face the reality that we do not have control of our own food environment…we cannot feed
ourselves
Ask where do we have control? One of those places is the Black church. We can begin to control
our food environment in the place where we already have some control agency and resource.
How did we get here…we did not ask for an abundance of liquor stores, fast food in our
community…we didn’t put them there…we don’t own anything
How we can shift the current trajectory
Create spaces for deep study and analysis to see how we got here
Determine the ways that we are complicit to sustaining the current arrangement
Explore to see examples of better and different to reimagine spaces
Adapting a new mindset
Understand that there is a connection to disease and what we put in our bodies
Stop lamenting about what’s above our head and focus on the things that are at the top!
Tap into more than just the social political aspect of food insecurity…tap into a source a stream
and power greater than to break the ties of bondage
Allow God to release in us what he has already to deposited in you
Resources:
Where Have All the Prophets Gone: Reclaiming Prophetic Preaching in America by
Marvin McMickle
The Practice of Prophetic Imagination: Preaching an Emancipating Word by Walter Brueggemann
Exodus 4:2 Then the LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied.
Women with the issue of blood
Mark 5:34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, healed of your disease.”
Episode 19 Zaneta Everhart's son was shot by a domestic terrorist on May 14th in Buffalo, New York. He survived, but has a bullet wound that went through his neck and out his back. Everhart has become an advocate for gun violence prevention since the shooting. She believes that the root causes of gun violence, such as poverty and lack of education, need to be addressed in order to prevent future shootings..
"I've always felt that I was a servant of the community and for the community, but now I know that service has been elevated, and I'm here to do the work, because what happened to Zaire is a unique situation." - Zeneta Everhart
The amazing Zeneta Everhart joins Pastor George Nicholas for this week's episode.
Here are just some of the things we cover:
- How easy it is for people to access guns in America
- Staggering statistics showing how gun violence disproportionately affects Black men
- The connection between gun violence and social economic factors
- What policy changes can impact the root causes of gun violence
Zeneta Everhart is the Director of Diversity & Inclusion for New York Senator Tim Kennedy's office; where her focus is on ensuring equity through legislation, community building, and the equitable distribution of resources.
She is a passionate advocate for policy change to address the root causes of gun violence and help keep communities safe.
After Zaire Goodman survived the Tops Markets massacre, he and his mother, Zeneta Everhart, started a book drive to gather children's books about racism and diversity.
Zeneta & Zaire's Book Club collected close to 10,000 books donated from around the country. The books will be held at Villa Maria College and distributed to schools and community centers.
Resources:
Zeneta & Zaire's Book Club Wish List https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2QT7QPH0XGSS6
Book referenced by Pastor George -
"The 2nd Amendment: Race and Guns in a Fatally Unequal America by Caroyn Anderson
Movie
Michael Moore's documentary "Bowling for Columbine"
Register for the Free 2022 Igniting Hope Conference
August 12th and 13th at www.BuffaloHealthEquity.org
Episode 18 If you're interested in health equity, the Igniting Hope Conference is for you. Learn about the work of Dr. Jamal Williams and how to take effective action to improve health outcomes and increase inclusion in medical research.
In this episode you will learn:
1. How exclusion from medical research can impact treatment and resources for chronic diseases among black Americans
2. The importance of inclusivity in medical research in order to create accurate conclusions
3. How Igniting Hope Conference served as a catalyst for one young black scholar to get involved in medical research.
"I think we really have to get activated in science and medicine. And we can't stand on the sidelines any longer and point to historical situations where we were abused, or we were taken advantage of."
Dr. Jamal Williams is a postdoctoral fellow in neurogenetics at UCLA. He earned his PhD in neuroscience from the University at Buffalo, where he became interested in science as a way to address the issues of health disparities he observed growing up in Buffalo's Eastside. Dr. Williams has spoken about the importance of inclusion in science and medicine, both in terms of research subjects and researchers themselves, in order to address the disparities in health outcomes between black and white Americans.
This is Dr. Jamal Williams's story...
I'm Dr. Jamal Williams, and I'm a scholar who was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. I attended public school here and then went on to earn my PhD in public health from the University of Buffalo. Today, I work at UCLA in Los Angeles, but I'll never forget the impact that the Igniting Hope Conference had on my journey. The conference was created to bring awareness to health disparities within the African American community, and it did just that. I was blown away by the passion and commitment of the speakers to tackling these issues head on. After attending the conference, I reflected on how I could use my own career to make a difference. I realized that I could use my skills in science to help dispel myths about mental health disorders and to work towards.
Key Takeaways:
People of African descent have the most genetically diverse genome of anybody else in the world. They are still vastly underrepresented in genetic screening and medical research.
In 2022, non-European representation in genome wide association studies only makes up about 2.5%. Europeans make up only about 16% of the world's population. There are 16 billion people in Africa, 13 billion in India, and 14 billion in China.
Dr Williams is concerned about the poor performance of African American children in math and science in Buffalo Public Schools. He believes that students need to work twice as hard to achieve the same level of achievement as their white counterparts.
Resources:
Register for the Free 2022 Igniting Hope Conference August 12th and 13th at www.BuffaloHealthEquity.org
Learn more about Dr. Jamal Williams and his podcast Reclaim the Bench podcast, highlighting unsung heroes in science and medicine at www.jamalbwilliams.com
Episode 17 Have you ever just stopped on the street to feel the wind on your face or the sun on your skin? These simple mindfulness practices are often overlooked but can really be beneficial to people who are dealing with trauma and grief.
In this episode Pastor George is joined by grief coach Troia Butcher who came from Pennsylvania to Buffalo, NY to help the community find a practical path from
loss to recovery, enabling them to become whole in order to fulfill their purpose.
ABOUT THE GUEST
Troia has spent a lifetime committed to the service of others. An 8-year veteran of the U.S. Army and an Ordained Minister, Troia brings an empathetic approach to grief and loss. She is a certified Grief Counselor, as well as a certified Life Coach. Currently, Troia is pursuing a master’s degree in Thanatology (study of death, dying, and grief). She
holds an M.S. in Project Management and a B.S. in Criminology.
Troia has used her life experiences and her education to develop a unique approach to
empowering others through their grief and loss journey.
Contact Information
hello@gghealing.org
www.gghealing.org
Join Pastor George and other community members at the annual Igniting Hope Conference: Breaking Barriers, Maintaining Resilience and Reconstructing a Community of Care.
August 13th 8am - 3pm at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Science on the University at Buffalo Campus.
Register for this free event at www.BuffaloHealthEquity.org
Episode 16 The 47th Annual Juneteenth Festival in Buffalo, NY has been welcoming people from all over the country to celebrate long before June 19th was recognized as a National Holiday. Ras Jomo, the Executive Vice President for Juneteenth Festival, says, “I think there’s a whole lot of room, opportunity, and solidarity for Buffalo to show the world again why we’re a leading city in this country and in this time.”
This year's festival may be the most important one yet because it comes a month after 10 innocent people lost their lives in a racially motivated mass shooting at the Tops on Jefferson Avenue.
Juneteenth is the celebration of the end of slavery in the United States, and yet here we are still fighting for our freedom to live in peace as Black people in America.
"Our liberation does not pose a threat to your existence" - Pastor George
Hosted by Pastor George, chair of the Buffalo Center for Health Equity
www.BuffaloHealthEquity.org
Produced by JazzCast Pros www.JazzCastPros.com
Episode 15 Claire Corwin from the Alzheimer's Association of WNY offers support and resources for those living with Alzheimer's disease AND their Caregivers!
It's important that we break the silence and stop the stigma around this form of dementia and utilize the support groups available right here in our community.
Unaddressed depression impacts cognitive ability which tangles up the brain and can lead to an Alzheimer's diagnosis. Help is available.
Call the 24-Hour Alzheimer's Support Line 1 800 272 3900
Visit www.Alz.org/WNY or call (716) 626-0600 to find out about services like Medical Alert Wanderer Support and Driver's Evaluation.
ABOUT THE GUEST
Claire Corwin is the Community Outreach Specialist for the Alzheimer’s Association of
WNY. Claire has worked with the Alzheimer’s Association five years, but began her
journey with them as a volunteer and “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” participant in 2016.
Claire is motivated by her own experiences as a caregiver for her grandmother, who
lived with Alzheimer’s disease for over ten years. Claire is a WNY native, and has
worked for the Alzheimer’s Association in New York City, as well as here in Buffalo, with
a focus on introducing members of our community to the services available to them
through the Alzheimer’s Association WNY.
Hosted by Pastor George, chair of the Buffalo Center for Health Equity
www.BuffaloHealthEquity.org
Produced by JazzCast Pros
Episode 14 Was the domestic attack on Buffalo, NY that killed 10 and injured 3 racially motivated and executed by one disturbed young man? Or was the May 14th planned with a bigger political agenda, just before the mid-term elections?
University at Buffalo professor Dr. Henry Taylor joins Pastor George to break down critical information in the case of the Tops Shooter and the State of Black Buffalo.
This episode is sponsored by the Buffalo Center for Health Equity
Hosted by Pastor George Nicholas
Produced by JazzCast Pros
ABOUT THE GUEST
Dr. Henry Louis Taylor, Jr. is a full-time professor in the Department of Urban and Regional
Planning, the U.B. Center for Urban Studies and founding Director of the
Community Health Equity Research Institute at the University at Buffalo. His work centers on constructing a bridge between theory and practice and forging non-market-based strategies to regenerate underdeveloped urban neighborhoods. Taylor has written and edited five books and over 150 articles, blogs, book reviews, and technical
reports. He has received numerous awards for his research and practical activities, including the 2018 Marilyn J. Gittell Activist Scholar Award by the Urban Affairs Association.
In Memory of the 10 beautiful souls who lost their lives in Buffalo, NY on May 14th 2022
Roberta A. Drury of Buffalo, N.Y. – age 32
Margus D. Morrison of Buffalo, N.Y. – age 52
Andre Mackneil of Auburn, N.Y. – age 53
Aaron Salter of Lockport, N.Y. – age 55
Geraldine Talley of Buffalo, N.Y. – age 62
Celestine Chaney of Buffalo, N.Y. – age 65
Heyward Patterson of Buffalo, N.Y. – age 67
Katherine Massey of Buffalo, N.Y. – age 72
Pearl Young of Buffalo, N.Y. – age 77
Ruth Whitfield of Buffalo, N.Y. – age 86
Episode 13 "To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a state of rage almost all of the time.” - James Baldwin.
Is this what happened to Will Smith at the Oscars?
Stan Martin joins Pastor George to discuss how we can move past the negative media portrayals of "toxic masculinity" and focus on what is Strong with Black Men.
ABOUT THE GUEST:
Stan Martin, MM is the Buffalo Office Director for Cicatelli Associates Inc. Throughout his decade of service with CAI, he has held several key leadership positions, which promote health and wellness, facilitation of youth-community led initiatives including HOPE Buffalo, REACH Buffalo & Advancing Tobacco Free Communities.
Mr. Martin has expertise in building the capacity of community stakeholders to address the social determinants of health, utilization of Community Based Participatory Research, Collective Impact and Population-Based Health strategies that promote systemic and policy change at every level of the socio-ecological model, which lead to the transformation of social norms.
MEDIA REFERENCES:
NPR Radio "To be in Rage Almost All the Time" https://www.npr.org/2020/06/01/867153918/-to-be-in-a-rage-almost-all-the-time
All Eyez on Me Movie "They’re gonna give you the tools you need to destroy yourself” - Afeni Shakur
Will Smith/Chris Rock vs Will Packer/Samuel Jackson 2022 Oscar’s analogy… The media spotlights ONE misbehavior and does not balance the portrayal of black men with their achievements; including the fact that Will Packer was the first Black man to produce the Oscars Award Show.
Episode 12 "Most of the behavioral issues that we have are due to social media and technology." - Dr Keli, Guidance Counselor at Sweet Home High School
Thanks to at-home and hybrid learning, students are more reliant on technology than ever before. The pandemic forced many of us to interact solely online, preventing the chance for our kids to gain social skills in the real world.
Now that students are back in the classroom, it's up to the adults to reach out and form real connections with the youth and be that friend and confidant that can be trusted with potential thoughts of suicide or social anxiety.
About the Guest
Dr. Keli Koran Luchey is a New York State Certified School Counselor and presently serves as a High School Guidance Counselor. As the founder and CEO of Lucid Pathways, LLC she provides Educational Consulting, Life Coaching and Personal Counseling to clients throughout the country. She is committed to assisting her clients with “creating a clear and concise vision” so they may reach full living potential. She is well known for presenting “Lucid Vision Boards” to corporate companies, for private parties, and at public venues around the United States and abroad. https://www.lucidpathways.com/
Dr. Keli is a Schomburg Fellow, earned a PhD in Counselor Education, with a
concentration in School Counseling and a M.Ed. in College Counseling and Student Personnel Work from the University at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo). She also holds a M.Ed. in Education Administration from Canisius College, and a B.A. in Psychology and a B.A. in Women’s Studies – both from SUNY Buffalo.
Episode 11 Pastor George is joined by Rita Hubbard-Robinson to address food insecurity and how it impacts our physical and mental health in the wake of the racially motivated attack on the supermarket in Buffalo, New York.
Many people say the Eastside of Buffalo is a "food desert" but deserts occur naturally. Food apartheid on the other hand is a manmade/human policy fueled by deep-rooted racism.
_________________
Facts and data:
Tops Supermarket on Jefferson Avenue was the only grocery store in Buffalo's Black neighborhood. It has been closed since Saturday May 14th after the murder of 10 people by a self-proclaimed white supremacist.
80,000 children in WNY are food insecure. Many rely on free meals available at school and go without when school is closed.
56,000 residents of Western New Yorkers lack access to a supermarket in their neighborhood.
Lack of access to nutritious food sets the stage for diabetes, hypertension, diabetes, obesity and other negative health outcomes.
Resources Mentioned:
Book: Salt Kills by Shantanu Reddy Neravetla and Surender Reddy Neravkeetla
www.BuffaloHealthEquity.org
What we can do to address this problem:
Get our hands dirty! Putting our hands in the soil creating a positive relationship with the earth
There is often a negative perception with Urban farming… the Crime (slavery/sharecropping) was committed at the soil but wasn’t the soil’s fault.
Upcoming Agricultural projects at Lincoln, Cold Spring, Upper Room and Agape
We fix the issue by equipping the community. Address Social Determinants of Health with policy changes.
Significant investment in healthy corner stores, farmer's markets and education on eating to live.
Feed OURSELVES as a tool of resistance and liberation
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About the Guest
Rita Hubbard-Robinson, the CEO of NeuWater & Associates, LLC, has been committed to the improvement of health and social determinants of health for over 30 years. As a lead member of the African American Health Equity Taskforce, Rita is building infrastructure for the community-based Buffalo Center for Health Equity.
She is also one of four Associate Directors of the recently launched UB Community Health Equity Research Institute. She is a pioneer in efforts to bring health equity strategies to the City of Buffalo through several important partnerships and collaborations with healthcare, national and local foundations, and government. She is a lead planner of the Healthy Corner Store Initiative, and visionary and developer of Project Rainfall, a food system social enterprise.
An advocate for both communities and youth, Rita Hubbard-Robinson of NeuWater &
Associates, LLC earned her juris doctor from UB School of Law and Jurisprudence and attended the University at Binghamton as an undergraduate. She is also the wife of 30+ years to Mark E. Robinson, the mother of two, and grandmother of two.
Episode 10 One of the biggest criticisms of the National School Lunch Program is the quality of the food. Healthier food costs more money to make, so many schools just don’t have the funding to improve school lunches.
Plus, we have a long way to go when it comes to teaching kids to choose healthy food.
There's no doubt that any food is better than no food. But studies have shown that students who regularly eat hot lunches are more likely to be overweight and obese as opposed to kids who bring their lunches. And poor nutrition can cause cognitive delays in children.
A lot of food ends up going to waste, and the quality of the ingredients isn’t as high as it could be.
Aunt Connie’s Ed-U-Kitchen™ was developed to address the need of families to learn nutritional behaviors that achieve and maintain healthy consumption of food.
Ed-U-Kitchen’s curriculum provides participants with an engaging, enjoyable, and sheltered learning environment that promotes increased awareness, skills and confidence in making healthy food choices.
ABOUT THE GUEST
Connie Ervin is nutrition educator and CEO of Aunt Connie's Ed-u-Kitchen. As a recent retiree from the Rich Products Corporation, Connie now engages people of all ages in learning about the food they consume and how it impacts their health. Connie, a native of Buffalo, NY, has a B.A. from Barat College of DePaul University and an MBA from Baldwin-Wallace College outside of Cleveland, Ohio. She is currently a certified instructor/proctor for the National Restaurant Association.
Aunt Connie's Ed-U-Kitchen, LLC
jwedukitchen@gmail.com
www.auntconnieseduk.com
716 818 3699
Episode 9 Why there is so much sugar and salt in all of the foods that we love to eat and how it's affecting our health? Do you have any idea what the acceptable amount of sodium and sugar intake is for your age? Aunt Connie is here to break it all down to you in Part 1 of this 2-part conversation with Pastor George on Igniting Hope Radio.
About the Guest
Connie Ervin is a certified instructor for the National Restaurant Association and CEO of Aunt Connie's Ed-u-Kitchen in Buffalo, NY. A recent retiree from the Rich Products Corporation, Connie now engages people of all ages in learning about the food they consume and how it impacts their health. She has an extensive career which includes experience in sales, marketing and project management in the food, consumer package goods and pharmaceutical industries.
Connie, a native of Buffalo, NY, has a B.A. from Barat College of DePaul University and an MBA from Baldwin-Wallace College outside of Cleveland, Ohio.
Want to know what it’s like to be a Black woman in the workplace? The confirmation hearing and surrounding media coverage of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is a real time case study on the double standards we often face.
Black Girl Magic is a myth. As Black people, we work twice as hard to get half as much; it’s diminishing to call it magic.
In this episode Pastor George Nicholas is joined by Chandra Redfern, CEO of the Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers, to discuss her Black Girl Mastery and the importance of positive self-talk.
The confirmation hearings of Justice Jackson made plain what so many of us already know — that even the politicians who are supposed to represent everyone have been conditioned to expect Black women to be less than them. In this way, they are like many Americans. They expect Black women to work hard, but not be too successful, or to acknowledge the obstacles they’ve overcome in their pursuit of success.
ABOUT THE GUEST
Chandra Redfern, the CEO of the BFNC, is best described as a compassionate, creative, and visionary servant leader. As a nonprofit executive
with over 20 years of experience, Chandra is known as a leader who strives to create diverse
and strategic partnerships that make a community impact.
Chandra is a graduate of Canisius College, earning a Master of Science in Counselling and a
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology & Criminal Justice. She also received a certification from
Houghton College in Pastoral & Christian Ministries.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Healt
by Dr. Rita Walker
Zawadi Books Store
1382 Jefferson Ave, Buffalo, NY 14208
Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers | Buffalo NY (bfnc.org)
Instagram: @b.f.n.c
Facebook: bufalobfnc
TikTok: bfnc716
Linked In: Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers
Pastor George sits down with Samantha Nephew to discuss Native American affairs in Western New York, including the recent dispute between New York State and the Seneca Nation over casino revenue sharing.
Samantha is an active member of the Seneca Nation of Indians (Deer Clan) serving as an advocate for health equity in Western New York. Instagram @healthcareeducation
Episode 6 You Are Not Alone Part 4: Faith & Mental Health
Pastor Edward Jackson joins Pastor George Nicholas to discuss the role of the church when it comes to addressing mental health. As members of the clergy, it's important to understand that you can't just pray away mental health concerns. Some struggles are best addressed by a mental health professional and as Pastors, we should be equipped with the resources to direct someone to the help they need.
Pastor Nicholas and Jackson also share their own experiences with anxiety and depression and what the word of God has to say about suicide.
Mentioned in this Episode
"The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health" by Dr. Rita Walker
About the Guest
Edward Jackson is Pastor of the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Buffalo, NY. He holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Morehouse College, a Master of Divinity Degree from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary (Lombard, IL) and a Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry. Pastor Jackson has had the privilege to preach in various cities across the United States, and Kenya. He is also an instructor for the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education. He has a passion for counseling and helping people in the church and in our community.
Pastor Jackson is affiliated with many organizations in our city and nation. However, the two closest to his heart are his fraternity, The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County. He is the very proud husband and father. “To God be the Glory, for the things HE has done" - Pastor Edward Jackson
Find Pastor Edward Jackson, Jr. on these platforms:
Facebook
@FriendshipBaptistChurch
Youtube
Friendship Baptist Buffalo
In its effort to create a community of care, the Buffalo Center for Health Equity is hosting a 4-week series of conversations entitled You Are Not Alone, a public space to talk about self-harm, suicide and what it means to live.
Visit www.buffalohealthequity.org to register for this free virtual event.
If you or someone you know is thinking of harming themselves, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free support at 1-800-273-8255.
You Are Not Alone Part 3 with Ebony M White and Pastor George Nicholas
Identity and self-esteem are closely related and are very important to good mental health. Your sense of identity has to do with who you think you are and how you perceive yourself. It has to do with your sense of self-worth and how you define yourself.
African Americans particularly struggle with self-identity because of the trauma we have experienced collectively in this country.
Ebony M. White is the Community Outreach Coordinator at the Buffalo Center for Health Equity. Specializing in community engagement and relationship building supporting several initiatives improving access, education, and capacity building for members of the community. Her heart is always for the people, and she continues to elevate the voices of constituents.
In its effort to create a community of care, the Buffalo Center for Health Equity is hosting a 4-week series of conversations entitled You Are Not Alone, a public space to talk about self-harm, suicide and what it means to live.
Visit www.buffalohealthequity.org to register for this free virtual event.
If you or someone you know is thinking of harming themselves, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free support at 1-800-273-8255.
Episode 4 You Are Not Alone Part 2: Identifying Harmful Behavior
Self-destructive behaviors are those that are bound to harm you physically or mentally. It may be unintentional. Or it may be that you know exactly what you’re doing, but the urge is too strong to control. It may be due to earlier life experiences. It can also be related to a mental health condition, such as depression or anxiety.
"It's not how life treats you it's how deal with life" - Erin Moss
If you think you’re engaging in self-destructive behavior, you probably are. You don’t have to live this way. You deserve better.
See your doctor or find a qualified mental health professional. In therapy, you can work through the cause and effects of self-destructive behavior. You can find new coping skills and practice alternate behaviors. You can live a happier, less self-destructive life.
In this episode of Igniting Hope Radio Erin Moss joins Pastor George to discuss Self-Expression vs Self Destructive Behavior. Topics include:
How to Dig Out of Black Hole
Collective Trauma, Depression & Individual Artistic Expression
Mindset shift - you have to want it for yourself
Simply changing environment doesn't change personal struggle
Having the courage to try to better your situation
Be intentional in seeking peace and joy for your life.
How to deal with the weight of the world on your shoulders
Getting out into nature. Connecting with God.
Erin M. Moss is a licensed mental health therapist, advocate, public speaker and mental health expert. From working one-on-one with patients at her private practice to speaking publicly as a mental health contributor and keynote speaker, Erin dedicates her life’s work to breaking the stigma around mental health and helping people achieve a fulfilling life.
Learn more about Erin M. Moss Mental Health Counseling Private Practice at www.erinmmoss.com
In its effort to create a community of care, the Buffalo Center for Health Equity is hosting a 4-week series of conversations entitled You Are Not Alone, a public space to talk about self-harm, suicide and what it means to live.
Visit www.buffalohealthequity.org to register for this free virtual event.
If you or someone you know is thinking of harming themselves, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free support at 1-800-273-8255.
Episode 3 You Are Not Alone Part 1: Mental Health & Suicide
People often think that talking about suicide will cause someone to take their own life, but that is a myth. In this episode of Igniting Hope Radio Kelly Wofford, director of the ECDOH Office of Health Equity joins Pastor George to break the stigma around mental illness, mental disorders and suicidal ideation.
In recent weeks, several high-profile suicides and suicidal ideation has been reported:
Cheslie Kryst, 30 a correspondent for the celebrity news program “Extra” who won the Miss USA title in 2019 while working as a lawyer, died by suicide on Sunday January 30 in New York.
Kevin Ward, 44, Mayor of Hyattsville, Maryland died on Jan. 25 from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Ian Alexander Jr. son of actor and director Regina King and music producer Ian Alexander died by suicide on January 19, his 26th birthday.
Katie Meyer, 22, the goalkeeper for Standford University soccer team died by suicide in the week of March 4. Her parents say they had no indication Katie was struggling with her mental health.
Ohio State University football player Henry Miller announced his retirement from the sport on Thursday March 10, citing mental health challenges that had pushed him to the brink of suicide.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns about mental health and substance use have grown, including concerns about suicidal ideation. A broad body of research links social isolation and loneliness to both poor mental and physical health.
A recent study shows a 59% increase of suicides in Black Females and 47% increase of suicides in Black Males aged 25 - 34.
In its effort to create a community of care, the Buffalo Center for Health Equity is hosting a 4-week series of conversations entitled You Are Not Alone, a public space to talk about self-harm, suicide and what it means to live.
Visit www.buffalohealthequity.org to register for this free virtual event.
If you or someone you know is thinking of harming themselves, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free support at 1-800-273-8255.
Episode 2 Learning is the key to Self Sufficiency. Dr Willie Underwood outlines a plan and the skills needed to move out of poverty and set a course for prosperity.
Proverbs 28:19 He who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty. Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty. A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty.
Dr Martin Luther King Speeches:
Your Life's Blueprint, I've Been to the Mountaintop
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” - MLK Jr.
About the Guest
Willie Underwood III, MD, MSc, MPH is the Executive Director Buffalo Center for Health Equity and Co-Founder of KAPS Biotechnology. Dr. Underwood is a board-certified urologist with nearly 20 years of overall urologic surgery experience. He was elected to the American Medical Association Board of Trustees in June 2019. An expert in health care disparities and health care policy, Dr. Underwood has served on several national and regional health care policy committees, including as a board member of HealthNow, AMA and National Medical Association Commission to End Health Care Disparities.
Produced by JazzCast Pros
Episode 1 America's Health Problem stems from its lack of Health Equity for all citizens. Health is a fundamental human right, but Equity is still a struggle for he who was once considered 3/5 of a man. This perception of race superiority influences the distribution of power and resources that negatively impact the Social Determinants of Health for Black people.
The “father of modern gynecology” Dr. J. Marion Sims performed experiments on Black female slaves without anesthesia. Today, Black women remain at the highest risk of death during childbirth.
Learn more at www.buffalohealthequity.org
Subscribe and come back every Friday for your weekly dose of hope on Igniting Hope Radio.
Episode 1 Teaser: Pastor George explains the history of Health Inequity for Black People in America and how Social Determinants of Health are tied to systematic problems.
Subscribe now. Podcast launches Friday February 25th, 2022
Igniting Hope Radio is a weekly podcast that brings together community-based organizations to decode SDOH and advocate for equitable environments for Black Americans.
The conversation is led by Pastor George F Nicholas, an advocate for social justice, community revitalization and a founding member of the African-American Health Equity Task Force.
Season 1 begins Saturday Feb. 19 2022