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OP-ED: Black Women Taking on the Fight Against Diabetes

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Over 30 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes—including nearly 13% of all non-Hispanic Black people. According to the Office of Minority Health at the Department of Health and Human Services, African Americans are 80% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes and the majority of them are women.

Published

6 years ago

July 25, 2019

Oakland Post

The risk for getting type 2 diabetes increases with age with the highest incidence occurring between 65-75. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA)

By Linda Goler Blount, MPH, President and CEO, Black Women’s Health Imperative

The cost of insulin is skyrocketing and people—especially Black women—are dying because they cannot afford or don’t have access to vital medication.

There is not enough being done to lower the prices of prescription medications that could mean life or death for so many African Americans that depend on it to live.

Over 30 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes—including nearly 13% of all non-Hispanic Black people. According to the Office of Minority Health at the Department of Health and Human Services, African Americans are 80% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes and the majority of them are women.

Many of those suffering from diabetes depend on insulin to regulate their blood sugar to remain healthy so that the food they eat does not threaten their lives. Instead of ensuring that people with diabetes can have access to this life-saving drug, some political leaders have put up road block after road block to make it harder for patients to receive care, despite bipartisan outrage by the excessively high cost of prescription drugs.

This isn’t just bad politics: this is a life or death issue for working families across the country, and African Americans are disproportionately paying the price.

Instead of focusing on lowering drug costs for all Americans, some lawmakers continue to attack the Affordable Care Act and its health care protections for those that have pre-existing conditions. While they do this, as many as one in four people skips insulin doses or ration prescriptions because of the rising cost. Sadly, some of these people are dying as a result—and many black women are specifically at risk.

African Americans are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes and unfortunately suffer fatalities from type 2 diabetes at twice the rate of their white counterparts. Black people are overwhelmingly more likely to suffer from debilitating complications caused by diabetes such as amputations, blindness and kidney failure more than their white counterparts. Due to lack of health resources in predominately African American communities, black people receive poorer quality care and get care later when the disease has progressed.

The risk for getting type 2 diabetes increases with age with the highest incidence occurring between 65-75. This is precisely the point in life when income decreases. African American women are especially affected. They are likely to be care-givers and spend their hard-earned money on ensuring family members are healthy making access to insulin a greater challenge.

The health and wellness of Black women must be a top priority so we must take action.

Recently, a coalition of health care, social justice, and faith organizations launched “Affordable Insulin NOW,” a campaign demanding lower drug costs for those suffering from diabetes.

Together, we are raising our voices, amplifying each other’s stories, building on-the-ground teams, and demanding our policymakers and pharmaceutical companies work together to provide access to high quality and affordable insulin.

We need affordable insulin now. Too many lives depend on it.

Linda Goler Blount, MPH, is President and CEO of the Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI). Linda oversees BWHI’s strategic direction and is responsible for directing the organization toward achieving its mission of leading efforts to solve the most pressing health issues that affect Black women and girls in the United States.

Before joining BWHI, Linda served as the vice president of programmatic impact for the United Way of Greater Atlanta, where she led the effort to eliminate inequalities in health, income, education and housing through place- and population‐based work.

Oakland Post

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#NNPA BlackPress

LIVE NNPA 2025 National Legacy Awards Gala | Savannah

Published

2 days ago

June 27, 2025

Oakland Post

https://youtube.com/watch?v=14B2itRmFgs&feature=oembed

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Op-Ed: Why Black Fathers Like Me Must Speak Up About Autism

Being “Dad” to my daughter Amari, who was diagnosed with autism, changed everything. In the Black community, silence around disability comes at a cost. I’ve learned that fatherhood is leadership—and it’s time we speak up. Our kids need early support, inclusive policies, and visible, vocal fathers. Autism isn’t the tragedy—silence is.

Published

2 days ago

June 27, 2025

Oakland Post

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE – As a Black father, I’ve worn many titles—provider, protector, community leader, mentor. But none has shaped me more than being “Dad” to my daughter Amari, who was diagnosed with autism.

When I first heard the word autism associated with my child, I’ll admit—I was overwhelmed. Like many parents, I didn’t fully understand what it meant. I was afraid of what the future might hold. But in the Black community, fear is often met with silence. And silence—especially around disability and mental health—has become a quiet barrier too many families struggle behind.

That’s why I’m speaking out—not just as a father, but as an advocate for our children, for public service education, and for civic engagement rooted in love and leadership.

Black children are too often diagnosed, later, misdiagnosed, or outright denied access to the early interventions they need. The reasons are layered—racial disparities in healthcare, cultural stigma, under-resourced schools, and unconscious bias in medical and educational systems. The results are heartbreaking. Our children fall through cracks that should never exist.

Even fewer people talk about the role of fathers—especially Black fathers—in this journey. Too often, we’re pushed to the margins of the conversation or expected to stay silent. That ends here.

I’ve sat in countless IEP meetings. I’ve researched therapies, pushed for inclusive classrooms, and sought out the support systems that weren’t readily available. I’ve wiped away tears and celebrated every breakthrough. And in each step, I’ve realized that parenthood is more than presence—it’s informed, engaged leadership. It’s showing up as our child’s strongest advocate.

Through my advocacy, I’ve worked with other families here in Prince George’s County to build community, share knowledge, and empower fathers. But we need more. We need a cultural shift—one that recognizes neurodiversity, reduces stigma, and promotes civic participation among parents and caregivers. We need to normalize vulnerability in Black men and redefine strength as being fully present for our children.

And we need policy.

Paid family leave.
Inclusive classrooms.
Early intervention access.
Increased funding for special education—especially in underserved communities where disparities are most pronouncedl.

These aren’t just family issues. They are issues of public leadership. They are the foundations of building future leaders through involvement, advocacy, and education.

Our children deserve more than awareness—they deserve action. And our fathers deserve to be seen, heard, and supported—not shamed or silenced.

Autism is not a tragedy. Silence is.

Let’s talk. Let’s act. Let’s lead.

Oakland Post

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#NNPA BlackPress

The Sacramento Observer and Savannah Tribune Win Big at 2025 NNPA Messenger Awards

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The Sacramento Observer earned the night’s most prestigious recognition, the John B. Russwurm Award, presented to the newspaper with the highest cumulative score across all award categories. The Observer achieved an impressive 154 points and took home first-place honors in Education Reporting, Business Reporting, Original Photography, Youth and Children Coverage, and Facebook Campaigns.

Published

2 days ago

June 27, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

SAVANNAH, Ga.—The Sacramento Observer and The Savannah Tribune stood out as the top honorees at the 2025 National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Fund’s Messenger Awards, held during the Black Press of America’s annual convention at the JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District Hotel.

The convention, themed “The Black Press: Engaging Black America—Empowerment, Justice and Prosperity,” marked the 198th year of the Black Press of America, which today comprises more than 200 African American-owned newspapers and media companies committed to covering the stories and issues that shape Black communities nationwide.

The Sacramento Observer earned the night’s most prestigious recognition, the John B. Russwurm Award, presented to the newspaper with the highest cumulative score across all award categories. The Observer achieved an impressive 154 points and took home first-place honors in Education Reporting, Business Reporting, Original Photography, Youth and Children Coverage, and Facebook Campaigns. The publication also placed among the top three in several additional categories, including Environment, Social Criminal Justice, and Fashion, Beauty, and Lifestyle, underscoring its consistent strength in both editorial content and audience engagement.

While the Observer dominated the content awards, The Savannah Tribune was honored for its leadership and community impact. Publisher Shirley Ann Barber James received the Publisher of the Year Award, recognizing her decades of dedication to preserving and strengthening the Tribune’s voice. Accepting the award, James thanked her family, staff, and Savannah’s civic organizations for supporting the paper’s mission and expanding its reach.

Other publications also earned multiple honors. The Houston Defender captured first-place awards in Health Reporting, Environment Reporting, and Fashion, Beauty, and Lifestyle. The St. Louis American earned first place in the categories of Special Editions, Original Advertising Campaigns, Broadsheet Layout and Design, and Video Campaigns. The Afro-American Newspaper of Baltimore and the Chicago Defender also collected several top finishes.

All winners by category included:

Health Reporting – Emory O. Jackson Award

1st Place: Houston Defender

2nd Place: Birmingham Times

3rd Place: Afro-American Newspaper, Baltimore

Education Reporting – Frank L. Stanley Award

1st Place: The Sacramento Observer

2nd Place: Washington Informer

3rd Place: Savannah Tribune

Social Criminal Justice – Ida B. Wells Award

1st Place: Chicago Defender

2nd Place: Dallas Weekly

3rd Place: The Sacramento Observer

Environment – Wilbert L. Holloway Award

1st Place: Houston Defender

2nd Place: The Sacramento Observer

3rd Place: New York Amsterdam News

Faith & Religion

1st Place: L.A. Sentinel

2nd Place: Baltimore Times

3rd Place: Final Call

Business Reporting

1st Place: The Sacramento Observer

2nd Place: Chicago Defender

3rd Place: Houston Defender

Editorial Opinion – Robert S. Abbott Award

1st Place: Forward Times

2nd Place: Washington Informer

3rd Place: Texas Metro News

Original Photography

1st Place: The Sacramento Observer

2nd Place: Houston Defender

3rd Place: New York Amsterdam News

Entertainment Coverage – Armstrong Ellington Award

1st Place: Afro-American Newspaper, Baltimore

2nd Place: Washington Informer

3rd Place: Atlanta Voice

Sports – Don King Award

1st Place: Afro-American Newspaper, Baltimore

2nd Place: St. Louis American

3rd Place: Atlanta Voice

Youth and Children Coverage

1st Place: The Sacramento Observer

2nd Place: Philadelphia Tribune

3rd Place: Savannah Tribune

Fashion, Beauty & Lifestyle – Ada S. Franklin Award

1st Place: Houston Defender

2nd Place: The Sacramento Observer

3rd Place: Atlanta Voice

Special Editions – Leon H. Washington Award

1st Place: St. Louis American

2nd Place: Philadelphia Tribune

3rd Place: Washington Informer

Original Advertising Campaign – E. Washington Rhodes Award

1st Place: St. Louis American

2nd Place: New Pittsburgh Courier

3rd Place: Seattle Medium

Layout & Design (Tabloid) – Robert L. Vann Award

1st Place: Washington Informer

2nd Place: Texas Metro News

3rd Place: New York Amsterdam News

Layout & Design (Broadsheet) – Robert L. Vann Award

1st Place: St. Louis American

2nd Place: Philadelphia Tribune

3rd Place: Michigan Chronicle

Website Excellence – A. Philip Randolph Award

1st Place: New Pittsburgh Courier

2nd Place: Michigan Chronicle

3rd Place: St. Louis American

Facebook Campaign

1st Place: The Sacramento Observer

2nd Place: Forward Times

3rd Place: Michigan Chronicle

Instagram Campaign

1st Place: Texas Metro News

2nd Place: Chicago Defender

3rd Place: Michigan Chronicle

Video Campaign

1st Place: St. Louis American

2nd Place: Houston Defender

3rd Place: L.A. Sentinel

Community Service – Karl Murphy Award

1st Place: Baltimore Times

2nd Place: L.A. Sentinel

3rd Place: Texas Metro News

Community Engagement – W.A. Scott II Award

1st Place: Dallas Weekly

2nd Place: Houston Defender

3rd Place: Philadelphia Tribune

Newspaper Excellence – John H. Sengstacke Award

1st Place: Philadelphia Tribune

2nd Place: Afro-American Newspaper, Baltimore

3rd Place: Atlanta Voice

Newsletter Excellence

1st Place: New Pittsburgh Courier

2nd Place: Savannah Tribune

3rd Place: Michigan Chronicle

“This is an opportunity to showcase the amazing publications, publishers, and journalists, and their staff who keep the Black press alive,” NNPA Fund Chair and Houston Forward Times Publisher Karen Carter Richards stated.