Latest / HEW Talks Podcast / Welcome to HEW Talks
Transcript
- Dr. Pascale: Welcome to my very first episode of HEW Talks Podcast. I am so excited to have you in this space with me. And if I'm being honest, I'm a little bit nervous. I'm launching my very own podcast where my guests and I get to be a little rebellious and talk about the very things that executive orders and mandates are keeping government-funded institutions and organizations from addressing. you know, things like diversity, equity, inclusion, inequality. anti-racism health disparities and disability even disability i mean people come on and the list goes on and on and on penn america has tracked more than 350 terms that federal agencies have reportedly banned or flagged terms that absolutely and positively need to be discussed addressed and reckoned with for the betterment of everyone but i digress Let me tell you a little bit about myself. My name is Dr. Pascal Edward. I'm a public health professional and health equity advocate. I'm also a self-proclaimed introvert. I love my solitude and quiet time. And I spend much of my time either in my head or in between the pages of a book. I won't bore you with my full bio. You can read it on my website, but I will say that I have more than 15 years of experience in public health. Much of it focused on advancing health equity in black and brown communities. But here's the funny thing, right? As much as I love my quiet and solitude, where I've thrived in my career is out in historically marginalized and disenfranchised communities, working alongside community members to address health disparities and inequities. As I've climbed the public health corporate ladder throughout my career, I've moved further and further away from being immersed in community-driven work. Instead, I have more meetings, more reports, more planning sessions, and more time talking about communities and less time talking with them. And don't get me wrong, this work matters just as much as being the boots on the ground engage with community members. but somewhere along the way, I started to miss the people. I missed engaging in conversations with community members at health fairs, local recreational centers, community centers, and the likes. where I would hear firsthand accounts. And engage with them in conversations about their lived experiences. So when I learned that public health and health equity were under attack under our current administrations, words were being scrubbed from websites that promoted diversity, equity, and inclusion, and funding pulled from research efforts and programs that communities depend on. I knew I just couldn't sit and continue to do business as usual. That's why I created HEW Talks or Health Equity at Work Talks. This podcast is my way of getting back to the heart of the work. It's a space to talk honestly about the historical, social, and political factors that shape the health of Black and Brown communities. And it's a space to spotlight the public health professionals, nonprofits, and community-based organizations who are still showing up and doing the work in spite of the opposition. In the nearly two years since this administration has been in office, I've witnessed organizations adapt and pivot and be a bit more strategic about how they continue to do equity-centric work. During our first season at HEW Talks, I'm excited to share with you conversations I've had with leaders of organizations committed to health equity by any means necessary. This season I've had the opportunity to engage in conversation with Dr. Renee Branch Hill, a recognized leader in health equity and justice and author of Room at the Table, a Leader's Guide to Advancing Health Equity and Justice. You'll also get to hear my conversation with Dr. Feyron Epps, founder of Alter Dementia, the only nurse-led dementia-friendly congregation program. partnering with African American faith-based communities to provide tools and resources for families facing dementia. This season we also delve into mental health during the holiday season with licensed clinical social worker and therapist Jessica Jefferson and yoga instructor Kiyona Miah. Jessica Jefferson is the founder of Soul Wellness Social Support and Therapeutic Services, a multicultural, multilingual, and multi-ethnic wellness collective in Florida that connects individuals with licensed mental health and wellness professionals. While Kiyona Miah is the founder of Black Yogis of South Florida, a community-driven wellness organization creating inclusive and culturally safe spaces for black individuals and families to practice yoga, Pilates, and Mindfulness. During the season, you'll also get to hear my reflective thoughts on current events or hot topics impacting marginalized communities. Where I get to share my perspective as a public health professional, an advocate, and as a black woman. My thoughts and perspectives are mine alone and do not reflect those of clients or employers that I may be employed with. Throughout the season of HEW Talks, I invite you to not only listen and share, but to reflect. Sit with these conversations, talk about them with your family, your friends, and your colleagues. Ask yourself where do you see these issues showing up in your own community and what role can you play, big or small, in moving us toward true health equity? I also invite you to join the conversation. I'd love to hear from you, whether it's your thoughts on an episode. A topic you'd like me to explore or an organization or an individual doing amazing work that we should spotlight on HEW Talks. Once again, welcome to HEW Talks. Until next time, I'm Dr. Pascal Edward and this is HEW Talks.