A free online series to advance health equity
Register here or email info@say-ah.org
August 24-26, 2020
7:30-8:45pm
Program: Symposium Program_ Racism and Health Literacy Nights I-II
Held in solidarity with #BlackLivesMatter and the March on Washington
Program Overview
A three-part series examining how racism and health literacy interact to impact health equity. Session I explores racism’s effect on the health literacy of Black patients, caregivers and communities. Session II highlights and amplifies anti-racist health literacy practices. Session III features powerful stories of Black healing and provides tools to help participants change the narrative.
Session Overview
Monday, August 24th: In the Beginning was the Word: Racism is rarely discussed in health communication, and yet it is an important determinant of health. This session examines the ways racism and health literacy interact to impact health equity. Speakers include: Janet Ohene-Frempong, Dr. Kirkland Vaughans, Dr. Robert Fullilove and Say Ah! Board member Dr.Tyree Oredein.
Tuesday, August 25th: Anti-Racist Health Literacy in Action: This panel provides insight from the field, highlighting best practices and identifying key challenges in ensuring health promotion is anti-racist. Panelists represent organizations and programs, including Girltrek, AlohaCare’s Native Hawaiian Cultural Liaison, New York City’s Sexual and Reproductive Justice Community Engagement Group, New York City’s Fatherhood Initiative, and Community Service Society of New York’s Community Health Advocates.
Wednesday, August 26th: Changing the Narrative: While the national discourse on health disparities shines a much-needed light on race-based health inequities, it also reinforces a racist narrative. This narrative must change. Learn how to be a part of that change at our final evening – a night of storytelling, narrative competency and rally for civic engagement. Storytellers include Say Ah! Board member, literacy scholar and author Valerie Williams-Sanchez, Narrative Medicine educator and third year medical student Marcus Mosley, and Say Ah!’s Narrative Competency lead Oluwatomisin Sontan.
You can start changing the narrative now by registering to vote here or here!
Racism & Health Literacy is a part of Say Ah!’s call for a racially just health care system, and an end to the discriminatory health literacy and health communication practices that often leave Black patients and caregivers unseen, unheard and unhealed.
About Say Ah!
Say Ah! is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that educates and empowers people to make positive choices about their health and health care. We do this by providing health literacy education and training for professionals, and workshops and materials for community members. Founded in 2007, we have helped more than 10,000 community members at over 60 host sites; and trained more than 2,000 professionals. For more information, visit us at www.say-ah.org.
About the March on Washington
This year’s March on Washington, held on August 28, 2020, will be a day of action to demonstrate the relevance and need of the ongoing fight for racial equality and will commemorate the 57th anniversary of the historical March on Washington where Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963. If you cannot march in person, you can join a virtual march here: https://2020march.com/