22 minute read
Publisher’s Desk
ADRIAN COUNCIL PUBLISHER’S DESK
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Marvin Gaye, “Right On” 1971
SAVING OUR OWN COMMUNITY WHAT’S GOING ON
The Black Music Month question of the year: What’s up with all the sexually explicit language and lyric content and the pornographic gestures that dominate so much of today’s hip hop and rap music genres? It’s everywhere—on radio, TV, across social media platforms, on street corners, and blaring out of car windows (with children in the back seat).
For the entertainer, it seems the lower one goes in promoting anti-social lifestyles, Black-on-Black violence, negative, and criminal behavior, the more notoriety and money earned. What do today’s hip-hop intellectuals (writers and creative artists) think? Is this what freedom looks like? What’s to be gained by publically insulting one another and downplaying our own self-worth? What will be the story of Black music in America 50 years from today, when Marvin Gaye’s iconic What’s Going On album turns 100? Almost daily my office is bombarded with press releases from major record labels’ PR departments heralding the latest hits. I listen to the lyrics and witness videos that denigrate all Black people. See it for yourself, google the top-selling rap tracks and videos of 2021.
Save the Children In the popular entertainment and media industries, young African Americans are being exploited and paraded before the whole world as a race without a past or a future – soulless. Today, we’re being perceived as a people with a laissez-faire attitude toward our children’s progress and our own cultural assets. In real time, young folks are being robbed of their innocence and the dignity of their humanity; generations are being led astray.
Unwittingly, tragically, we have all but surrendered our cultural sovereignty to “market forces” and the “enemies of progress.” We allow others to determine what’s best for us and our children—reminiscent of slavery times.
Collectively, we may be in danger of becoming the first generation since Emancipation to leave future generations with less—culturally and economically—than our predecessors. While African Americans continue to make huge strides politically, the state of Black music, the culture, and that of our underclass has become a planetary emergency; a quality of life and mental health issue; a spiritual, cultural, and economic crisis that must be addressed—NOW!
Is there anything we can do together to arrest and reverse this negative, unhealthy trend within our own lifetime?
A Solution I believe a most urgent matter is the lack of alternative media and cultural space for music, the arts, youth development, and ethics training; cultural literacy, education, moral grounding and social advancement. Defeat the negative with a positive! It’s the only way forward toward real victory and lasting success. Wisdom and experience will lead the way. Together let us begin to create new models for wholesome expression, intergenerational social engagement, and dialogue.
Now in its 21st year, The Positive Community quality brand is an alternative space in media, entertainment, and community service. Our family of products and services include the magazine; a website (https://thepositivecommunity.com); e-newsletter; social media; special events; the “African American Cultural Narrative poster”; the annual “Great American Emancipation Day Awards Banquet” (Jan.1, 2022); Positive Community Radio—“In Classic Black” (streaming music 24/7 online); a video production team; the Positive Music Hub (online); the 2021 Economic Justice Town Hall series; the Positive Music Matters Foundation; and the all-volunteer community health advocates, African Americans for Health Awareness (AAHA).
The Positive Community offers a “clean glass” to those who hunger for truth and thirst for righteousness. Our mission is to grow the business, create jobs, and prosper; to represent and project all of that which is great and good about Black life and culture in the USA. While we exist on a small, “shoestring and bubblegum” budget, we claim only that territory which is ours to claim; and we are not afraid of the giants!
Right On! We encourage thoughtful conversation and/or debate among faith leaders, intellectuals, and all forward thinkers. Collectively, we have a sacred obligation and a patriotic duty to preserve, protect, and promote our very best — America’s best! Know the past, but focus on the future; play the long game…and win!
Are you willing to advocate on behalf of a creative movement for positive change; can we encourage our
corporate friends and businesses to support such a movement through advertising and sponsorship? Can we agree to a united effort to promote positive, community-building, life-affirming ideals: selfacceptance, self-reliance and self-respect? Ours is a most noble and righteous cause. Can we count on your support?
After all, each of us has been entrusted to ensure the survival and safe-passage of values from this corporate friends and businesses to support such a generation to the next. Ultimately, the progress, movement through advertising and sponsorship? prosperity, and freedom of future generations –our Can we agree to a united effort to promote posi- grandchildren’s grandchildren—descendants whom tive, community-building, life-affirming ideals: self- we will never know, depend upon the quality of our acceptance, self-reliance and self-respect? Ours is a thinking—today! most noble and righteous cause. Can we count on your support? After all, each of us has been entrusted to ensure the survival and safe-passage of values from this generation to the next. Ultimately, the progress, prosperity, and freedom of future generations –our grandchildren’s grandchildren—descendants whom we will never know, depend upon the quality of our thinking—today!
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
One of the hardest-hit industries during the pandemic has been the arts. But as cultural venues begin to Special Magazine Section Highlighting the Rich History of the Arts in Newark reopen and invite the public to visit them once again, the Newark Alliance and The Positive Community (TPC) have joined in partnership to promote one of the city’s most important assets—its vibrant arts scene—in a special magazine section. Some of Newark’s most treasured cultural institutions are highlighted in this special feature: Symphony Hall, the Prudential Center/Grammy® Museum Experience, NJPAC, the One of the hardest-hit industries during the pandemic has been the arts. But as cultural venues begin to reopen and invite the public to visit them once again, the Newark Alliance and The Positive Community (TPC) have joined in partnership to promote one of the city’s most important assets—its vibrant arts Newark Arts Council, Newark Museum of the Arts, Lincoln Park Cultural District, and more. scene—in a special magazine section. Some of Newark’s most treasured cultural institutions are highlightThank you to the supportive Newark Alliance team led by De’Shawn Wright, Interim CEO; Della M. Walker, ed in this special feature: Symphony Hall, the Prudential Center/Grammy® Museum Experience, NJPAC, the Jr., Director, Newark 2020 | Hire Newark; and Kim J, Ford, Sr, Marketing & Content Manager, who also served Newark Arts Council, Newark Museum of the Arts, Lincoln Park Cultural District, and more. as Guest Editor of our special section. Additional thank you to Brit Harley and the amazing team at Newark Thank you to the supportive Newark Alliance team led by De’Shawn Wright, Interim CEO; Della M. Walker, News + Story Collaborative; MEDINA = CITI; the Newark music and arts community; the City of Newark; and Jr., Director, Newark 2020 | Hire Newark; and Kim J, Ford, Sr, Marketing & Content Manager, who also served a special thanks to our sponsors and community partners for their support of this project. as Guest Editor of our special section. Additional thank you to Brit Harley and the amazing team at Newark In addition, The Positive Community salutes Black Music Month with a look at the city’s rich, musical history News + Story Collaborative; MEDINA = CITI; the Newark music and arts community; the City of Newark; and and heritage; celebrating Juneteenth, now recognized as a state holiday; and featuring a Focus on Health. a special thanks to our sponsors and community partners for their support of this project.
In addition, The Positive Community salutes Black Music Month with a look at the city’s rich, musical history and heritage; celebrating Juneteenth, now recognized as a state holiday; and featuring a Focus on Health.
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Edna KaneWilliams
AARP’S EVP And ChiEf diVERSity OffiCER
As AARP’s Chief Diversity Officer, Edna KaneWilliams has the responsibility for driving AARP’s enterprise Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy encompassing our workforce, workplace and marketplace. She leads strategies for multicultural audiences and the age discrimination strategy work, and will also oversee the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advisory Council and AARP’s Strategic Enterprise Employee Resource Groups (SEERGs).
She brings to this position over twenty-five years of experience working in senior management positions in both the nonprofit and for profit organizations, with an emphasis on strategic planning, targeted marketing, community outreach, media relations and program development. She has held a variety of other key positions, including as Senior Vice President of Communications and Social Marketing at IQ Solutions, Inc., Senior Vice President at Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, and Senior Vice President of Multicultural Markets at AARP.
Edna holds a B.A, from Yale University and an M.A from George Washington University. She is the recipient of a Coro Foundation Fellowship, and was also a Diversity Executive Leadership Program fellow for the American Society of Association Executives. She is currently a member of the Board of Trustees for Legal Counsel for the Elderly and The Center for Responsible Lending. She previously served as a board member of the Black Women’s Health Imperative.
She has received numerous career awards, including the Spirit of Democracy Award from the National Coalition of Black Civic Participation, the National Markets Award from the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters, and the Dorothy Height Humanitarian Award from the Conference of National Black Churches.
Health
ideas for wellness
In October 2020, Englewood Health formed their Diversity, Inclusion, and Education Council (DIEC). In June 2021, we wanted to follow up on where the DIEC is now and what they’ve accomplished thus far.
Director of Talent Acquisition, Organizational Development, and Diversity Eva Matos-Botex, who is also leader of the DIEC, answered our questions.
The Positive Community (TPC) Why now? What prompted
the creation of the diversity council last October?
EMB: As a healthcare leader, we wanted to take a more focused approach to addressing health disparities and social inequities. The Diversity and Inclusion Education Council was developed out of this commitment to doing more and doing better for the communities we serve.
TPC: The council has been in place for more than six months
now; what disparities or policies have they identified thus far that need to be changed, updated, or improved?
EMB: Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Englewood Health has seen how the virus disproportionately impacts communities of color. Long-standing systemic health and social inequities have put many people from racial and ethnic minority groups at increased risk of getting sick and dying from COVID-19. As such, council members have pledged to serve as ambassadors and support ongoing COVID-19 prevention and vaccination initiatives at the hospital and in the community.
Recently, the council helped to staff a community vaccination event organized by Englewood Health that targeted medically underserved populations in the community. The weekend event served those most in need of assistance, and we made sure that potential barriers — access to technology; language hurdles; and economic, insurance, or immigration statuses — would not prevent those in the community who wanted to receive the COVID-19 vaccine from getting it.
TPC: Have employee orientations begun yet? What sort of training and/or discussions does the orientation entail?
EMB: Englewood Health has refreshed and enhanced orientation programs and training activities for incoming staff, current team members and leaders that focus on diversity, equity, inclusion and unconscious bias. Our Human Resources team launched a new learning and training application to create a more dynamic and en-
gaging educational experience for employees. These include videos and interactive features that highlight the importance of diversity and inclusion in our workplace and for the communities we serve.
TPC: Have any existing programs been expanded or new
programs implemented? If so, which ones?
EMB: Englewood Health expanded on current programming by launching Understanding Unconscious Biases, a self-paced eLearning program. The curriculum takes a closer look at the concepts of diversity, equity and inclusion, cultural competency, and unconscious biases. The program emphasizes that biases can affect how healthcare professionals perform their jobs, ultimately impacting patient care. Team members are empowered to recognize and address these biases so they can reduce their impact, fostering more open, productive, and respectful communication among team members.
TPC: What has the reaction to the establishment of the di-
versity council been from council members and employees in general?
EMB: The council includes representation from all areas of Englewood Health including clinicians, support staff, and administration. Each member of the 12-person council played a role in developing its charter, goals and objectives, and actionable efforts to improve diversity and inclusion in the workplace and to reduce healthcare disparities in our community.
Englewood Health has a long-standing culture of continuous improvement, both individually and collectively. Our physicians, staff, Board of Trustees, and volunteers have embraced the opportunity to strive toward living the values of diversity, equity and inclusion, cultural competence, and reducing unconscious bias. Our primary goal is to work together to provide high quality, patientcentered care for the communities we serve.
TPC: Have you seen or do you expect to see other health-
care and medical providers establishing diversity councils so it will become the norm?
EMB: In February 2021, Warren Geller, president and CEO of Englewood Health, joined over 1,600 CEOs from across the country who signed the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion pledge, committing to encourage diversity and inclusion within the workplace. Englewood Health was the first health care system in New Jersey to sign the pledge. As a leader and model for other health care organizations throughout the state and country, we encourage our fellow health care leaders to focus on the public health crisis that is racism. Together, we can make an impact on systemic health and social inequalities and improve the health and lives of people throughout our entire community.
Community Gives Back to Revered Institution That Services Its Citizens Saint Peter’s University Hospital Receives New Community Health Services Van
Saint Peter’s University Hospital is proud to announce the addition of a new Community Health Services van, which will continue to help expand the mobile health services provided to the central New Jersey community. Saint Peter’s Community Health Services program provides mobile health screenings and educational programs to the public. Its staff of advance practice nurses and registered nurses travel to communities throughout Middlesex and Somerset counties, particularly to areas where healthcare services may be limited. According to Marge Drozd, MSN, RN, APRN-BC, director of Community Health Services at Saint Peter’s, “Community Health Services offers healthcare services where our citizens ‘live, learn, work, play and pray.’ Our goal is to make health care convenient and accessible and we do that by bringing Saint Peter’s University Hospital’s extraordinary healthcare services to wherever you are.”
Funding for the new 40-foot van, which now replaces the hospital’s 34foot van, was generously provided by Saint Peter’s Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization and the philanthropic arm of Saint Peter’s Healthcare System. “The fact that we were able to raise the $280,000 purely from community donations is a testament to what Saint Peter’s means to the community, not only in New Brunswick where our brick and mortar facility is located, but to the greater community at-large,” said Emily Lyssikatos, director of Saint Peter’s Foundation. “The hospital has been providing superior medical care to New Jersey residents for over 110 years and as a Catholic institution is committed to delivering compassionate care that ministers to both body and soul. Providing the hospital with a new van so it can continue its mission completes the circle of giving.”
Many in the area recognize Saint Peter’s Community Health Services van as a fixture in the community having seen it at key sites where services are provided including schools, retirement communities, day care centers, homeless shelters, senior centers, public housing complexes, shopping centers, churches and corporations. Providing accessible health care has been paramount this year due to the pandemic.
“During the COVID-19 crisis, Saint Peter’s Community Health Services staff went into hard hit areas identified as ’hot spots,’ distributing coronavirus care kits including educational materials about best practices, along with masks and hand sanitizer,” added Drozd. “Quality service is what we’re all about.”
Some of the services provided by the Community Health Services staff include:
Blood sugar screenings Blood pressure screenings Cholesterol screenings Osteoporosis screenings Skin cancer screenings Vision screenings Hearing screenings Immunizations Stroke risk assessment screenings
In addition to screenings and immunizations, Saint Peter’s Community Health Services provides education on a variety of topics including prostate health, breast health, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, nutrition and more. While primarily servicing Middlesex and Somerset counties, Saint Peter’s Community Health Services van has serviced areas as far south as Monmouth County, and is available in other areas where and when the need arises. In 2019, Community Health Services visited 330 sites and provided one or more health services to approximately 11,500 individuals. In Monroe Township alone, Saint Peter’s provides services at six active adult communities via its Nursing Healthcare Centers embedded onsite.
For more information about Saint Peter’s Community Health Services or to secure a visit for your local group, please call 732-339-7675. To make a donation to Saint Peter’s Foundation, please call or email, 732-745-8542 or spfoundation@saintpetersuh.com.
Once again Once again Once again we made the grade we made the grade we made the grade
WE’RE PROUD TO BE AMONG THE NATION’S SAFEST HOSPITALS For the second consecutive time, Saint Peter’s University Hospital is the only hospital in Middlesex County to have earned an “A” grade for excellence in the commitment we have to the patients and families we serve. To learn more about Saint Peter’s University Hospital, call 732.745.8600 or visit saintpetershcs.com WE’RE PROUD TO BE AMONG THE NATION’S SAFEST HOSPITALS For the second consecutive time, Saint Peter’s University Hospital is the only hospital in Middlesex County to have earned an “A” grade for excellence in the commitment we have to the patients and families we serve. To learn more about Saint Peter’s University Hospital, call 732.745.8600 or visit saintpetershcs.com WE’RE PROUD TO BE AMONG THE NATION’S SAFEST HOSPITALS For the second consecutive time, Saint Peter’s University Hospital is the only hospital in Middlesex County to have earned an “A” grade for excellence in the commitment we have to the patients and families we serve. To learn more about Saint Peter’s University Hospital, call 732.745.8600 or visit saintpetershcs.com
Safely treating you better...for life.Safely treating you better...for life. Safely treating you better...for life.
NJ Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman Speaks Out on Black Healthcare
BY FERN GILLESPIE
The morning of January 6, 2021, New Jersey Congresswoman Bonnie Watson-Coleman sensed there was something wrong. “I was in the Capital that day,” she began. “Before the proceedings had started, I had been evacuated from my apartment because of [undetonated] bombs [found] near the Republican National Committee headquarters, and out of my office because my office building was so close to the Republican National Committee. So, I said to my staff, ‘Let’s go to the Capitol because we will be safe there.’”
Pro-Trump rioters descended on the Capitol. While hiding from the violent rioters with fellow Congress members and their staffers, she contracted COVID.
“I felt a sense of betrayal on the part of my Republican colleagues in Congress,” she said. “Their staff refused to wear masks and did not have enough respect for the safety and security of others.”
Rep. Watson-Coleman, who serves on the House Committee of Appropriation and the House Committee of Homeland Security, is on the forefront of developing a 9/11 style investigations committee on January 6 riot. “A sense of security was breached. We have to get to the bottom of this,” she said passionately. “We have to ensure something of this nature never ever happens again in this country.”
Political life runs in her family. She’s the only daughter of famed politician John S. Watson, a Democrat who served six terms in the New Jersey General Assembly. When he died, she won his seat in the assembly. Then, in 2002, elected chair of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, she became the first Black woman to lead the state party. “It gave me the opportunity to expand the reach of the party,” she explained.
In 2015, Rep. Coleman-Watson became the first Black woman elected to Congress from New Jersey. Although her district is the Trenton area, women statewide have embraced her. “Even to this day, Black women all over the state of New Jersey will reach out to me and refer to me as their congresswoman,” she said.
Recently, we spoke with Rep. Watson-Coleman on healthcare issues concerning people of color from mental health to healthy moms to African American hair.
You co-authored the Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act focusing on people of color. This May it passed in a bipartisan vote of 349-74 in the House of Representatives. Why did you partner with the Congressional Black Caucus for the study?
BWC: I kept seeing these postings on Facebook about young, Black children attempting, threatening, and committing suicide. Then I would read the articles behind them [the posts] about the disparities and numbers and that the trend for Black youth was increasing while the trend for all other youth in terms of suicide attempts or thoughts and successes had been diminishing. I told my staff the one thing we can do is shine light on this. I went to Karen Bass, the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus; we agreed there was an urgent need to do something. We needed to signal the urgency of the situation. I worked with Congressional Black Caucus colleagues and a group of professional psychologists, sociologists, providers, and advocates and conducted a series of hearings. We put out a report on what we found, and we authored legislation identifying a need for resources and attention to areas that we found had significant gaps. We found there was still a stigma in the African-American comcontinued on next page www.thepositivecommunity.com
continued from previous page munity as it related to addressing, needing, and acknowledging mental health problems. We understood there was a gap in the number and range of culturally competent providers. We recognized that there was insufficient research being done by the National Institute of Mental Health and other entities in the federal government with regard to the impact of mental health and the services that are provided to people of color, particularly the African-American community. The legislation basically addresses those gaps and needs that we identified. It puts resources into those areas and encourages and supports those that are being educated in these fields. It supports schools, their administrations, and teachers in understanding what to look for in the area of mental health or even study our communities. It passed in the house. Now it’s in the Senate. It’s sponsored by Senators Menendez and Booker. Hopefully, this time the Senate will take it up. The President, who has spoken about the issues of the disparities in healthcare as it relates to African-Americans in our communities of color, will sign it.
You re-introduced the Healthy Maternal and Obstetric Medicine Act, known as the Healthy MOM Act. What makes it unique?
BWC: The Healthy Mom Act recognizes that being pregnant is a life-changing experience. It affords women the opportunity to change their health coverage at that time to meet their needs. There are things that are already considered life-changing and you’re allowed to change your coverage. One of them is having a baby. Another is changing a job. One of them is getting married. But it is not when you become pregnant. Obviously, you want healthy moms and healthy babies. They need access to prenatal care and postnatal care. This legislation, if it passes, will give them the coverage that they need.
You joined Congresswomen Barbara Lee, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, and Gwen Moore in reintroducing the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair, known as the CROWN Act. Why is the Crown Act important for Black women? What is the impact of hair discrimination on Black women and girls?
BWC: We’ve seen some illustrations of what happens
to young people, like the girls who were sent home because of their braids. Like the young wrestler whose locks were actually cut on television while he was in an event — that he actually won. So, they humiliated him, cut his hair. We know there is consistent and persistent institutional racism against people who are Black. The way we wear our hair, the textures of our hair, the styles we wear are just an extension of our being who we are. Some people have a determination in their minds on what is and is not professional and acceptable. So, people have been made to feel uncomfortable about their hair and its style. Perhaps they have been overlooked for a promotion or not even hired. How we wear our hair is an extension of being African-American or being Black and these actions are a manifestation of discrimination against a race. HorizonBlue.com
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