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Shaq Promotes Heart Health at Spirit of the Heart Gala

LOS ANGELES SENTINEL — The Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC) recently hosted its 10th Annual Spirit of the Heart Awards Gala. Their special guest and honorary chair was NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal. The four-time NBA Champion partnered with Morehouse School of Medicine senior associate dean of clinical and transitional research Elizabeth Ofili, MD, MPH and Arbor Pharmaceuticals, to create the Get Real About Heart Failure campaign.

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NBA icon Shaquille O’Neal was an honorary Chair of the Spirit of the Heart Awards Gala (Photo by: Amanda Scurlock | L.A. Sentinel)

By Amanda Scurlock

The Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC) recently hosted its 10th Annual Spirit of the Heart Awards Gala. Their special guest and honorary chair was NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal.

ABC founder Richard Allen Williams, MD (second to left) poses with Loni Love (center) and former ABC board chair Robert Gillespie MD (second to right) (Photo by: Amanda Scurlock | L.A. Sentinel)

ABC founder Richard Allen Williams, MD (second to left) poses with Loni Love (center) and former ABC board chair Robert Gillespie MD (second to right) (Photo by: Amanda Scurlock | L.A. Sentinel)

The four-time NBA Champion partnered with Morehouse School of Medicine senior associate dean of clinical and transitional research Elizabeth Ofili, MD, MPH and Arbor Pharmaceuticals, to create the Get Real About Heart Failure campaign.

“I wanted to be the guy that brings awareness to the situation because I know how most adult males, especially African American men, think like me,” O’Neal said. “I just want to urge people to go out there and get checked once a year.”

Ofili noted the major issues of heart failure is that doctors do not prescribe patients with the proper medicine to combat the condition and how the medicine might be too expensive for patients. She then explained the website Shaqgetsreal.com as a resource for people who want to know more about the disease.

“You will find a lot of information not just about understanding heart failure from the perspective of a patient, but also learning how to talk to your physician and advocate,” Ofili said. “I think that’s the message that we want to put out there is every single one of us should learn about this and advocate.”

ABC also honored Golf legend Lee Elder with the 2019 Bob Jones Award. As well as being the first African American to make the Ryder Cup Team and to play in the Masters Tournament, he held an afterschool program at the Langston Golf Course in Washington D.C.

ABC works ardently to combat cardiovascular diseases in marginalized communities with their initiatives and projects. While there have been advancements in treatment to different diseases, people of color and those with low income are not given access to said treatments.

The organization not only trains patients, but physicians as well; they inform how a patient’s living conditions, methods of travel, and type of insurance are factors that could stifle their access to proper care.

When asked about the condition of his son, Shareef, O’Neal reassured that he is doing well since his open-heart surgery last year. Shareef was diagnosed with an anomalous coronary artery, a condition that causes an artery to grow in the wrong place.

ABC president John M. Fontaine MD, MBA (l) poses with ABC Board Chair Cheryl Pegus, MD, MPH(Photo by: Amanda Scurlock | L.A. Sentinel)

ABC president John M. Fontaine MD, MBA (l) poses with ABC Board Chair Cheryl Pegus, MD, MPH(Photo by: Amanda Scurlock | L.A. Sentinel)

“He had a heart condition when he was younger, they called it “boom boom.” So, we fixed it,” O’Neal said. “He was playing one day, he said he said he had another episode of the boom boom so I sent to UCLA medical, they found something was wrong … we talked about the options and he wanted to continue to play, so he went through the surgery and he’s fine now.”

During the gala, ABC honored the Sanofi Genzyme-Regeneron Aliance, UCLA professor and cardiologist Karol E. Watson, MD, PhD, Caribbean Foundation Heart Institute President B. Waine Kong, PhD, JD, and “Greenleaf” star Lamman Rucker.

“We do have a disproportionate access to quality care, yes there are a disproportionate number of us as people of color who are dying of diabetes and hypertension,” Rucker said. “I don’t know how to not care … and if you do care, then the next thing to do is to actually take action and do something about it.”

This article originally appeared in The Los Angeles Sentinel.

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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

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Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

 

 

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

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The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for connection, marking a significant step toward creating a more inclusive parenting community.

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org

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Election Night on The Yard at Howard University

Election Night on The Yard at Howard University

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