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God’s Guidance Inspires Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program’s Response to COVID-19 By Cora Jackson-Fossett, Religion Editor Published April 1, 2020
Dr. Bill Releford, right, distributes face masks and hand sanitizers to a local senior citizen. (Courtesy photo) As the coronavirus rapidly enveloped the country, Dr. Bill Releford prayed for God’s direction to help the African American community in the greater South L.A. area. Releford, who founded the Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program, requested God’s guidance in using his skills and talents to reduce the occurrence of COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, in Black people. In response to Releford’s request, God gave him a tangible solution – distribute free sanitizers and face masks to the community, which is what Releford did on March 27. Joined by members of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, he and the men distributed more than 200 masks and hand sanitizers to local senior citizens. Broadcaster Dominique DiPrima and KJLH Radio also aided in publicizing the event. Explaining his motivation to action, Releford said, “My assignment is to help reduce the legacy of health disparities in this nation. Everyday I pray for strength, courage and wisdom in this effort. As a healthcare advocate, it was becoming clearer by the hour that effective and credible preventive messaging regarding the pandemic was not getting to the African