Letting Go of Superwoman: Self-Care for Women of Color
with Maiya Lanae Evans
In her 1988 memoir, A Burst of Light, Audrey Lorde wrote, “caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” This presentation will uncover the unique health challenges that women of color experience, look at how the “superwoman” mentality can be harmful to their health, and discover ways to expand the conversation around mental health.
Maiya Lanae is a health educator, entrepreneur, and consultant. She currently teaches courses in public and holistic health at San Francisco State University and Skyline College, and is a 2020-2021 EPIC fellow at Stanford University. In addition, Maiya is a lead facilitator for the anti-racism organization, The Mosaic Project. She also hosts a health and wellness podcast called The Hey Girl Health Show, which focuses on health and wellness issues that impact women of color and their communities.
heygirlhealth.com
IG: @heygirlhealth
heygirlhealth@gmail.com
Click here to take the class
heygirlhealth.com
IG: @heygirlhealth
heygirlhealth@gmail.com
Letting Go of Superwoman: Self-Care for Women of Color
with Maiya Lanae Evans
In her 1988 memoir, A Burst of Light, Audrey Lorde wrote, “caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” This presentation will uncover the unique health challenges that women of color experience, look at how the “superwoman” mentality can be harmful to their health, and discover ways to expand the conversation around mental health.
Maiya Lanae is a health educator, entrepreneur, and consultant. She currently teaches courses in public and holistic health at San Francisco State University and Skyline College, and is a 2020-2021 EPIC fellow at Stanford University. In addition, Maiya is a lead facilitator for the anti-racism organization, The Mosaic Project. She also hosts a health and wellness podcast called The Hey Girl Health Show, which focuses on health and wellness issues that impact women of color and their communities.
heygirlhealth.com
IG: @heygirlhealth
heygirlhealth@gmail.com
Click here to take the class
heygirlhealth.com
IG: @heygirlhealth
heygirlhealth@gmail.com
What is the
Black Health Matters Initiative?
Black Health Matters facilitates and builds community, equity, and health in all areas of our lives through trust, collaboration, and the arts to improve the quality of life for Black residents in SCC County.
COVID-19 is disproportionately affecting Black communities all over the country. The same is true right here in Santa Cruz County. To this end, TWDCC has teamed up with County Park Friends to bring COVID- safe, TWDCC “click and mortar” classes, cultural programs and health resources to county park spaces. We have partnered with an advisory group of local organizations; the NAACP local SC chapter, United Way of SC County, Blended Bridges, and the SCC Black Coalition for Racial Justice and Equity to help guide our work and reach our community countywide.
We lead this effort through the arts and culture, which speak to the tradition of gathering, of sharing, and our human need to have fresh air, community, and joy at the heart of a healthy life. In addition to being high-risk for COVID-19 infection, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation reports serious and negative effects “across different areas of [Black] people’s lives, including...with household finances, jobs, health care, housing, transportation, caregiving, and well-being.”
TWDCC’s Black Health Matters Initiative focuses needed attention and community partnership to address the social determinants of health in our local Black community. Inviting folks outside into our beautiful county parks, with COVID-safe models, can be done. "What better way to support the community than through art-based, healthy activities together in the park?” says Cat Willis, Executive Director of the Tannery World Dance and Cultural Center (TWDCC).
“Our Parks and public spaces offer a canvas for COVID-safe health and healing during this difficult time. Together we can forge a future for our new normal that centers equity and builds from strength,” adds Mariah Roberts, Executive Director of County Park Friends.
Although this initiative is just beginning, establishing an ongoing arts and health driven platform of services and resources for Black SC families to access throughout the pandemic is our priority. We know that the work that we do to support families and individuals who are most vulnerable strengthens all of us and ensures our whole community is not just surviving, but thriving.
We lead this effort through the arts and culture, which speak to the tradition of gathering, of sharing, and our human need to have fresh air, community, and joy at the heart of a healthy life. In addition to being high-risk for COVID-19 infection, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation reports serious and negative effects “across different areas of [Black] people’s lives, including...with household finances, jobs, health care, housing, transportation, caregiving, and well-being.”
TWDCC’s Black Health Matters Initiative focuses needed attention and community partnership to address the social determinants of health in our local Black community. Inviting folks outside into our beautiful county parks, with COVID-safe models, can be done. "What better way to support the community than through art-based, healthy activities together in the park?” says Cat Willis, Executive Director of the Tannery World Dance and Cultural Center (TWDCC).
“Our Parks and public spaces offer a canvas for COVID-safe health and healing during this difficult time. Together we can forge a future for our new normal that centers equity and builds from strength,” adds Mariah Roberts, Executive Director of County Park Friends.
Although this initiative is just beginning, establishing an ongoing arts and health driven platform of services and resources for Black SC families to access throughout the pandemic is our priority. We know that the work that we do to support families and individuals who are most vulnerable strengthens all of us and ensures our whole community is not just surviving, but thriving.
BHM Community
Assessment Project
Black Health Matters Initiative Call to Action: Survey Participation
Black Health Matters Initiative facilitates an arts and health driven platform of services and resources for Black SC families to access throughout the pandemic.
One factor that we have yet to touch on however, is the parallel goal of gathering information and feedback from the community to fill the gap‘s that are abundant in county data. Did you know that the Black community in Santa Cruz County was recently classified as "Other" in census reports? Based on the small population of Black and mixed families in SCC, the data collected to represent the realities and needs of the community is simply not enough. To this end, the Initiative is working in partnership with United Way SCC to conduct a community assessment that will examine the quality of life for African Americans in Santa Cruz County.
We ask that you join us in our efforts to address the impacts of COVID-19 on the Black Community by participating in the first survey of the assessment. The survey link is listed below. For your participation, your email will be included in a raffle to win 1 of 10 $50 Visa cash cards. Winners will be announced via direct contact in the coming weeks.
Plus One Campaign! This email is our soft/internal launch of the community assessment project. We go live tomorrow on our website and will have a link for public access. In an effort to gather as much data as we can during the assessment period, we ask that all participants join us in our plus one campaign - please invite, share, and spread the link within your circles and help us reach twice as many community members.
In Community,
The Black Health Matters Advisory Team
Take the survey HERE
One factor that we have yet to touch on however, is the parallel goal of gathering information and feedback from the community to fill the gap‘s that are abundant in county data. Did you know that the Black community in Santa Cruz County was recently classified as "Other" in census reports? Based on the small population of Black and mixed families in SCC, the data collected to represent the realities and needs of the community is simply not enough. To this end, the Initiative is working in partnership with United Way SCC to conduct a community assessment that will examine the quality of life for African Americans in Santa Cruz County.
We ask that you join us in our efforts to address the impacts of COVID-19 on the Black Community by participating in the first survey of the assessment. The survey link is listed below. For your participation, your email will be included in a raffle to win 1 of 10 $50 Visa cash cards. Winners will be announced via direct contact in the coming weeks.
Plus One Campaign! This email is our soft/internal launch of the community assessment project. We go live tomorrow on our website and will have a link for public access. In an effort to gather as much data as we can during the assessment period, we ask that all participants join us in our plus one campaign - please invite, share, and spread the link within your circles and help us reach twice as many community members.
In Community,
The Black Health Matters Advisory Team
Making the Invisible Visible
Santa Cruz County Black/ African American Health Snapshot
The BHM Initiative is proud to partner with United Way, Community Assessment Project on this critical centering of Black/African American experience of Santa Cruz County. We are thrilled at this next step in our work for the community and at the opportunity to partner with Applied Survey Research to push the impact of the initiative to the next level.
A huge thank you to all of our partners and advisors that have been vital in the process.
Click here to read the full A huge thank you to all of our partners and advisors that have been vital in the process.
Community Highlight Report
What is the
Black Health Matters Initiative?
COVID-19 is disproportionately affecting Black communities all over the country. The same is true right here in Santa Cruz County. To this end, TWDCC has teamed up with County Park Friends to bring COVID- safe, TWDCC “click and mortar” classes, cultural programs and health resources to county park spaces. We have partnered with an advisory group of local organizations; the NAACP local SC chapter, United Way of SC County, Blended Bridges, and the SCC Black Coalition for Racial Justice and Equity to help guide our work and reach our community countywide.
We lead this effort through the arts and culture, which speak to the tradition of gathering, of sharing, and our human need to have fresh air, community, and joy at the heart of a healthy life. In addition to being high-risk for COVID-19 infection, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation reports serious and negative effects “across different areas of [Black] people’s lives, including...with household finances, jobs, health care, housing, transportation, caregiving, and well-being.”
TWDCC’s Black Health Matters Initiative focuses needed attention and community partnership to address the social determinants of health in our local Black community. Inviting folks outside into our beautiful county parks, with COVID-safe models, can be done. "What better way to support the community than through art-based, healthy activities together in the park?” says Cat Willis, Executive Director of the Tannery World Dance and Cultural Center (TWDCC).
“Our Parks and public spaces offer a canvas for COVID-safe health and healing during this difficult time. Together we can forge a future for our new normal that centers equity and builds from strength,” adds Mariah Roberts, Executive Director of County Park Friends.
Although this initiative is just beginning, establishing an ongoing arts and health driven platform of services and resources for Black SC families to access throughout the pandemic is our priority. We know that the work that we do to support families and individuals who are most vulnerable strengthens all of us and ensures our whole community is not just surviving, but thriving.
We lead this effort through the arts and culture, which speak to the tradition of gathering, of sharing, and our human need to have fresh air, community, and joy at the heart of a healthy life. In addition to being high-risk for COVID-19 infection, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation reports serious and negative effects “across different areas of [Black] people’s lives, including...with household finances, jobs, health care, housing, transportation, caregiving, and well-being.”
TWDCC’s Black Health Matters Initiative focuses needed attention and community partnership to address the social determinants of health in our local Black community. Inviting folks outside into our beautiful county parks, with COVID-safe models, can be done. "What better way to support the community than through art-based, healthy activities together in the park?” says Cat Willis, Executive Director of the Tannery World Dance and Cultural Center (TWDCC).
“Our Parks and public spaces offer a canvas for COVID-safe health and healing during this difficult time. Together we can forge a future for our new normal that centers equity and builds from strength,” adds Mariah Roberts, Executive Director of County Park Friends.
Although this initiative is just beginning, establishing an ongoing arts and health driven platform of services and resources for Black SC families to access throughout the pandemic is our priority. We know that the work that we do to support families and individuals who are most vulnerable strengthens all of us and ensures our whole community is not just surviving, but thriving.
BHM
Community Assessment Project
Black Health Matters Initiative Call to Action: Survey Participation
As attendees and supporters of the Black Health Matters Initiative, you are aware of the leading mission of the work: to facilitate an arts and health driven platform of services and resources for Black SC families to access throughout the pandemic.
One factor that we have yet to touch on however, is the parallel goal of gathering information and feedback from the community to fill the gap‘s that are abundant in county data. Did you know that the Black community in Santa Cruz County was recently classified as "Other" in census reports? Based on the small population of Black and mixed families in SCC, the data collected to represent the realities and needs of the community is simply not enough. To this end, the Initiative is working in partnership with United Way SCC to conduct a community assessment that will examine the quality of life for African Americans in Santa Cruz County.
We ask that you join us in our efforts to address the impacts of COVID-19 on the Black Community by participating in the first survey of the assessment. The survey link is listed below.
For your participation, your email will be included in a raffle to win 1 of 10 $50 Visa cash cards. Winners will be announced via direct contact in the coming weeks.
Plus One Campaign! This email is our soft/internal launch of the community assessment project. We go live tomorrow on our website and will have a link for public access. In an effort to gather as much data as we can during the assessment period, we ask that all participants join us in our plus one campaign - please invite, share, and spread the link within your circles and help us reach twice as many community members.
Thank you for joining the first of our Black Health Matters events and for taking the time to fill out the survey questions. Your support and input is greatly appreciated.
In Community,
The Black Health Matters Advisory Team
Take the survey HERE
One factor that we have yet to touch on however, is the parallel goal of gathering information and feedback from the community to fill the gap‘s that are abundant in county data. Did you know that the Black community in Santa Cruz County was recently classified as "Other" in census reports? Based on the small population of Black and mixed families in SCC, the data collected to represent the realities and needs of the community is simply not enough. To this end, the Initiative is working in partnership with United Way SCC to conduct a community assessment that will examine the quality of life for African Americans in Santa Cruz County.
We ask that you join us in our efforts to address the impacts of COVID-19 on the Black Community by participating in the first survey of the assessment. The survey link is listed below.
For your participation, your email will be included in a raffle to win 1 of 10 $50 Visa cash cards. Winners will be announced via direct contact in the coming weeks.
Plus One Campaign! This email is our soft/internal launch of the community assessment project. We go live tomorrow on our website and will have a link for public access. In an effort to gather as much data as we can during the assessment period, we ask that all participants join us in our plus one campaign - please invite, share, and spread the link within your circles and help us reach twice as many community members.
Thank you for joining the first of our Black Health Matters events and for taking the time to fill out the survey questions. Your support and input is greatly appreciated.
In Community,
The Black Health Matters Advisory Team
Making the Invisible Visible
Santa Cruz County Black/ African American Health Snapshot
The BHM Initiative is proud to partner with United Way, Community Assessment Project on this critical centering of Black/African American experience of Santa Cruz County. We are thrilled at this next step in our work for the community and at the opportunity to partner with Applied Survey Research to push the impact of the initiative to the next level.
A huge thank you to all of our partners and advisors that have been vital in the process.
Click here to read the full A huge thank you to all of our partners and advisors that have been vital in the process.
Community Highlight Report
Announcements
When visiting Evergreen Cemetery, traditional Congolese dancer, Vivien Bassouamina and community healer, Luna Leo, were pulled and inspired by the story of London Nelson. Called to find out more about those buried at Evergreen, in their research they learned there are multiple Black people are buried in the plot surrounding London. For the third commission of Beyond the Grave, these artists have decided to honor these ancestors with traditional funerary practices through interactive storytelling and dance.
This event was created and funded in part by the Tannery World Dance and Cultural Center (TWDCC), as it supports their Black Health Matters Initiative and Diaspora Performance Project.TWDCC facilitates a working home for the professional world & contemporary dance artists while providing dance education that is committed to access, equity, and excellence. Black Health Matters is a community initiative that promotes equity through a network of community trust, advocacy, and collaboration to improve the quality of life for black residents in Santa Cruz County. Diaspora Performance Project gives professional support to 5 selected cultural artists. This program seeks to support the thriving community of artists of the African Diaspora and provide opportunities for the development of new work, a deep and meaningful connection to our community, and performance opportunity.
Commemorating George Floyd
May 25th at 6:30PM
SAVE THE DATE!
The Santa Cruz County Chapter of the NAACP and the Santa Cruz County Black Coalition for Justice & Racial Equity invite the community to join a peaceful, socially distanced gathering to mark the 1-year anniversary of George Floyd’s murder by Minneapolis police. The community gathering will be held Tuesday, May 25, 2021, 6:30 pm at the steps of the Santa Cruz Courthouse, 701 Ocean St., Santa Cruz. This event will feature speakers, spoken word, dance, music, and poetry. For additional information, call (831) 429-2266 or send an email to santacruznaacp@gmail.com
Blood Drive at Highland Park
June 5th
FREE SICKLE CELL TRAIT SCREENING FOR DONORS
One of The Red Cross' objectives is to have a significant percentage of African Heritage donors attend this Blood Drive. The Red Cross has started free testing of blood, for donors that request it, for Sickle Cell Trait. We would like to get word out about this testing as this would be extremely helpful information for African Heritage members of our community.
Youth Opportunity
Ms. Brenda Griffin, of NAACP Santa Cruz, would like to share this vital information to our parents of high school seniors.
The Visa Black Scholars and Jobs Program, in partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), is a new program designed for college-bound Black and African American students in the United States. Eligible high school seniors applying or intending to enroll as a full-time undergraduate in any four-year accredited college or university in the U.S. can receive a needs-based scholarship grant of up to $20,000/year. Scholars who continue to meet the criteria, remain in good standing and maintain a minimum of 3.0 GPA will be eligible for annual renewals. Upon graduation, all scholarship recipients who have met their commitments will be guaranteed a full-time job with Visa. The establishment of this program is aligned with Visa’s commitment to cultivate an inclusive and diverse workplace that supports the development and advancement of all.
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