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Sheila Thorne of Multicultural Healthcare Marketing Group Tackles Cultural Deficit with Expertise and Dedication

NNPA NEWSWIRE — With an over two times higher mortality rate for black infants compared to their white counterparts. These numbers paint a dire picture that has persisted and been ignored. Calling for immediate action and effective solutions.
The post Sheila Thorne of Multicultural Healthcare Marketing Group Tackles Cultural Deficit with Expertise and Dedication first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

11 months ago

July 17, 2024

Oakland Post

Since 2003, Multicultural Healthcare Marketing Group has been changing the healthcare narrative for People of Color, striving for inclusivity, informed diagnoses, and culturally competent treatments. New York, New York–(Newsfile Corp. – July 15, 2024) – With a clear vision and personal resources, Sheila Thorne founded the Multicultural Healthcare Marketing Group (MHMG) in 2003. Dedicated to bridging the gaps in healthcare and combating racial disparities, she became a trusted voice in the industry, driven by an unwavering desire to provide equal opportunities, raise awareness, and bridge marginalized communities with global pharmaceutical companies.

With over 25 years of experience in healthcare marketing, including roles as a senior executive for several of the world’s most influential healthcare marketing and communications companies, Sheila is equipped with the knowledge and skills that drive change from grassroots to grass tops. Throughout her experience, she noticed the global lack of adequate healthcare services for people of color and the widespread deficit of impactful sustainable campaigns that help communities take lives into their own hands. Since her first years in healthcare marketing, Sheila has been motivated by the possibility of addressing the global healthcare challenges People of Color face. What statistics tell us is that black people’s life expectancy is nearly five years shorter compared to white people, with 72.8 and 77.5 years, respectively even among the middle class and insured. These challenges bleed into the lives of children and their mothers. With an over two times higher mortality rate for black infants compared to their white counterparts. These numbers paint a dire picture that has persisted and been ignored. Calling for immediate action and effective solutions.

With that mission in mind, Sheila created MHMG. She says, “My goal is to ensure that everyone, regardless of race, age, or origin, can access quality healthcare. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case for far too long. People of Color often die prematurely from preventable, manageable, and curable illnesses. It’s about time we change that.” According to Sheila, some of the contributing factors include financial challenges, racial biases, and lack of health education. From impactful campaigns to changing the clinical trial landscape and offering insights about disease symptoms and results, MHMG is leading the much-needed systemic change. As a seasoned healthcare marketing expert, Sheila recognizes the essential aspects of effective strategies. During her experience, she identified a striking void in the industry–most marketers lack a profound understanding of the deeply rooted challenges of Black, Latino, Asian, and other populations of color. Especially after working closely with the world’s most renowned pharma firms, this global deficit became more evident. She recalls, “I remember sitting in meetings with these well-known, respected leaders and listening to their marketing strategies. The outreach approach, the messaging, the images, and the impact they wanted to leave clearly weren’t enough. There was a cultural deficit, and I knew I had to fix it.”

Among the most prominent issues within the healthcare space, Sheila highlights the apparent racial differences between PoC and white patients for type 2 diabetes. According to recent data, Black African, African Caribbean, and South Asian communities are at the highest risk of developing type 2 diabetes from the age of 25. This is significantly younger than the white population, for which the risk increases after 40. Racial challenges, access to healthcare, and financial barriers propel the issue, lowering the probability of treatment. Similarly to type 2 diabetes, Black people are more likely to develop hypertension at an earlier age, with the average systolic blood pressure being 2.9 mmHg and 1.6 mmHg higher for Black boys and girls compared with white children.

A twelve-city campaign dedicated to educating African Americans on the dangers of untreated hypertension, offering culturally competent advice and tangible community-based solutions. This marked the beginning of her profound impact in that sphere, reinforcing her motivation and mission. What started as a one-person operation in 2003 turned into a powerful movement driven by Sheila Thorne’s unyielding commitment to fostering an equitable healthcare system. “After leaving my previous job as an educator, MHMG started as me in a shared office space. Thankfully, the connections I made over the years helped me create the company that MHMG is now–a dedicated team of passionate People of Color who won’t stop until racial disparities disappear,” she adds.

Looking into the future, Sheila hopes to see her vision come to reality in other countries, fueling the global healthcare revolution. As one of the most influential upcoming projects, Sheila highlights her commitment to diversifying clinical trials, allowing industry specialists to gain accurate insights into racial health challenges, which would ultimately increase patients’ chances for better health outcomes. “Even without millions of dollars and with only a few employees, you can still make a tangible change. MHMG is the perfect example of that. The only resources we needed were expertise, data, and sheer passion,” Sheila shares. “This is the most exciting time in healthcare–we see more patient protection and affordable healthcare initiatives, and tackling racial disparities must. This is more than a healthcare revolution; it’s a cultural movement needed worldwide.”

Media Contact
Name: Raphael Judkins
Email: rjudkinsmhmg@outlook.com

The post Sheila Thorne of Multicultural Healthcare Marketing Group Tackles Cultural Deficit with Expertise and Dedication first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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Black Feminist Movement Mobilizes in Response to National Threats

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — More than 500 Black feminists will convene in New Orleans from June 5 through 7 for what organizers are calling the largest Black feminist gathering in the United States.

Published

2 days ago

May 30, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

More than 500 Black feminists will convene in New Orleans from June 5 through 7 for what organizers are calling the largest Black feminist gathering in the United States. The event, led by the organization Black Feminist Future, is headlined by activist and scholar Angela Y. Davis. Paris Hatcher, executive director of Black Feminist Future, joined Black Press USA’s Let It Be Known to outline the mission and urgency behind the gathering, titled “Get Free.” “This is not just a conference to dress up and have a good time,” Hatcher said. “We’re building power to address the conditions that are putting our lives at risk—whether that’s policing, reproductive injustice, or economic inequality.” Hatcher pointed to issues such as rising evictions among Black families, the rollback of bodily autonomy laws, and the high cost of living as key drivers of the event’s agenda. “Our communities are facing premature death,” she said.

Workshops and plenaries will focus on direct action, policy advocacy, and practical organizing skills. Attendees will participate in training sessions that include how to resist evictions, organize around immigration enforcement, and disrupt systemic policies contributing to poverty and incarceration. “This is about fighting back,” Hatcher said. “We’re not conceding anything.” Hatcher addressed the persistent misconceptions about Black feminism, including the idea that it is a movement against men or families. “Black feminism is not a rejection of men,” she said. “It’s a rejection of patriarchy. Black men must be part of this struggle because patriarchy harms them too.” She also responded to claims that organizing around Black women’s issues weakens broader coalitions. “We don’t live single-issue lives,” Hatcher said. “Our blueprint is one that lifts all Black people.”

The conference will not be streamed virtually, but recaps and updates will be posted daily on Black Feminist Future’s YouTube channel and Instagram account. The event includes performances by Tank and the Bangas and honors longtime activists including Billy Avery, Erica Huggins, and Alexis Pauline Gumbs. When asked how Black feminism helps families, Hatcher said the real threat to family stability is systemic oppression. “If we want to talk about strong Black families, we have to talk about mass incarceration, the income gap, and the systems that tear our families apart,” Hatcher said. “Black feminism gives us the tools to build and sustain healthy families—not just survive but thrive.”

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Hoover’s Commutation Divides Chicago as State Sentence Remains

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Hoover was convicted of murder and running a criminal enterprise. Although some supporters describe him as a political prisoner, the legal and public safety concerns associated with his name remain substantial.

Published

3 days ago

May 29, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

The federal sentence for Gangster Disciples founder Larry Hoover has been commuted, but he remains incarcerated under a 200-year state sentence in Illinois. The decision by Donald Trump to reduce Hoover’s federal time has reignited longstanding debates over his legacy and whether rehabilitation or continued punishment is warranted. The commutation drew immediate public attention after music executive Jay Prince and artist Chance the Rapper publicly praised Trump’s decision. “I’m glad that Larry Hoover is home,” said Chance the Rapper. “He was a political prisoner set up by the federal government. He created Chicago Votes, mobilized our people, and was targeted for that.”

But Hoover, the founder of the Gangster Disciples, is not home—not yet. Now in federal custody at the Florence Supermax in Colorado, Hoover was convicted of murder and running a criminal enterprise. Although some supporters describe him as a political prisoner, the legal and public safety concerns associated with his name remain substantial. “There is a divide in the Black community here,” said Chicago journalist Jason Palmer during an appearance on the Let It Be Known morning program. “Some view Hoover as someone who brought structure and leadership. Others remember the violence that came with his organization.” Palmer explained that while Hoover’s gang originally formed for protection, it grew into a criminal network responsible for extensive harm in Chicago. He also noted that Hoover continued to run his organization from state prison using coded messages passed through visitors, prompting his transfer to federal custody.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who is widely considered a potential 2028 presidential contender, has not issued a statement. Palmer suggested that silence is strategic. “Releasing Hoover would create enormous political consequences,” Palmer said. “The governor’s in a difficult spot—he either resists pressure from supporters or risks national backlash if he acts.” According to Palmer, Hoover’s federal commutation does not make him a free man. “The federal sentence may be commuted, but he still has a 200-year state sentence,” he said. “And Illinois officials have already made it clear they don’t want to house him in state facilities again. They prefer he remains in federal custody, just somewhere outside of Colorado.”

Palmer also raised concerns about what Hoover’s case could signal for others. “When R. Kelly was convicted federally, state prosecutors in Illinois and Minnesota dropped their charges. If a president can commute federal sentences based on public pressure or celebrity support, others like R. Kelly or Sean Combs could be next,” Palmer said. “Meanwhile, there are thousands of incarcerated people without fame or access to public platforms who will never get that consideration.” “There are people who are not here today because of the violence connected to these organizations,” Palmer said. “That has to be part of this conversation.”

Stacy M. Brown

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WATCH: Five Years After George Floyd: Full Panel Discussion | Tracey’s Keepin’ It Real | Live Podcast Event

Join us as we return to the city where it happened and speak with a voice from the heart of the community – Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO/Publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

Published

4 days ago

May 28, 2025

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https://youtube.com/watch?v=OsNLWTz6jU0&feature=oembed

May 25, 2020. The world stopped and watched as a life was taken.

But what has happened since?

Join us as we return to the city where it happened and speak with a voice from the heart of the community – Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO/Publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

She shares reflections, insights, and the story of a community forever changed. What has a year truly meant, and where do we go from here?

This is more than just a date; it’s a moment in history. See what one leader in the Black press has to say about it.

Recorded live at UROC in Minneapolis, this powerful discussion features:

Panelists: