The National Black Church Initiative Launches its Responsible Drinking Campaign in Harlem

Members of the National Black Church Initiative (NBCI) from the New York area joined NBCI President Rev. Anthony Evans to launch a Responsible Drinking Campaign during a news conference in front of the Apollo Theater on December 17. The live on social media event brought a simple message to New Yorkers: If YOU ARE GOING TO DRINK, DO IT RESPONSIBLY. Since COVID, alcohol abuse, violence, and deadly vehicular accident rates have risen. The NBCI ministers preached and the theater group, IMPACT, performed to draw attention to the problem of alcoholism in the community.

Rev. Dr. Calvin R. Kendrick, pastor, Grace Baptist Church, Bronx, NY

As men age, the cells in the prostate gland can become cancerous. Every year in the United States, more than 30,000 men die from prostate cancer, second only to skin cancer. About one in eight men in America will develop the condition at some point in their lives, and about one in 40 will die from it. Age is the greatest risk factor for prostate cancer. While only one in 10,000 men under age 40 will be diagnosed, that number leaps to one in 14 for those ages 60 to 69. About 60 percent of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over the age of 65, and 97 percent occur in men 50 years of age and older.

All of these facts are reasons for concern, but Black men must be particularly vigilant. Black men have a 70 percent higher rate of developing high-risk prostate cancer, and are more than twice as likely to die from it. Prostate cancer usually has no noticeable symptoms. The first sign of disease is often found during a routine screening exam. This is why screening is important.

But there is good news; with early detection, prostate cancer can be treated successfully and thanks to billionaire businessman and philanthropist Robert F. Smith, the lives of more Black men in New York City can be saved.

Rev. Dr. Sheldon E. Williams, pastor, Co-Op City Baptist Church, Bronx, NY

The Mount Sinai Robert F. Smith Mobile Prostate Cancer Screening Unit, a state-of-the-art mobile facility equipped with advanced scanning and trained staff, enables early detection of prostate cancer for at-risk Black men. The mobile

Bishop Peggy Smalls, Change a Life Ministries, Inc. United Clergy of NY

Black men have a 70 percent higher rate of developing high-risk prostate cancer, and are more than twice as likely to die from it.

NBCI, a partner of the Diageo Multicultural Consortium for Responsible Drinking (MCRD) Initiative, is a coalition of 150,000 African American and Latino churches working to eradicate racial disparities in healthcare, technology, education, housing, and environment. The mission of NBCI is to provide critical wellness information to all of its members, congregants, churches, and the public. NBCI partners with major organizations and officials to reduce racial disparities. The programs—guided by credible statistical analysis, science-based strategies and techniques, and methods that work—offer faith-based, out-of-the-box, and innovative solutions to stubborn economic and social issues.

Six public service announcements (PSAs) featuring the ministers (see below) will air on local television and radio beginning in 2023. Powerful messages encouraging responsibility and moderation, the PSAs begin a three-year effort to change the impact of alcohol in these communities.

Rev. Dr. James N. McKoy, Springfield Baptist Church, Beacon, NY

Rev. Dr. Allen Paul Weaver, Jr., Bethesda Baptist Church of New Rochelle, NY

Rev. Reginald E Paris, pastor, United Christian Baptist Church, Bronx, NY