Celebrating Black History Month – Resources and a Q&A panel

Every February, the U.S. honors the contributions of African Americans who have helped shape the nation. Originally established as a week-long celebration in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, Black History Month spotlights the rich cultural heritage, triumphs and adversities that are an indelible part of our country’s history.

We believe Black History Month gives us an opportunity to help raise awareness about the challenges faced by many in the Black community and address the inequities. There are persistent racial disparities in end of life care quality and access. Black New Yorkers are less likely to receive hospice care, report poorer pain management, and are less likely to have completed advance directives. This is a social justice issue, and End of Life Choices New York is committed to doing our part to promote healthcare equity at the end of life.

Last year, we launched a survey of Black New Yorker’s caregiving and end of life experiences, the first survey of its kind. The results will be used to inform policies, programs, and resources. The survey can be found here.

More information about our equity initiatives can be found here.

We are excited to host a special panel discussion and promote specially designed resources available to support Black families in New York.

Caring Community Conversations – Black History Month Q&A Panel

Come join us for a community conversation on advance care planning and have all your questions answered. On Wednesday, February 16th at 7 PM, an expert panel of diverse Black professionals will be hosting a live facilitated Q&A discussion to provide support on understanding the range of topics, processes, tools, and resources that are available to help you understand your values and options for future healthcare decision making. Questions can be asked about, but are not limited to, advance directives, hospice, end of life support, insurance, faith-based values, doula services, caregiving etc. If you are looking for an informative and safe space for the Black community to get honest about advance care planning questions, we hope to see you there!
The panel includes:

• Ayana Woods, Executive Director of End of Life Choices New York
• Ruthlyn Noel-Joseph, Owner of Healthwhiz Solutions
• Minister Monique Fortuné, President of Fortuné & Associates
• Ashley Johnson, Board Secretary of the National End-Of-Life Doula Alliance
• Derrick McDaniel, Mr.Eldercare 101

Click here to register. Questions can be submitted to info@eolcny.org or asked live on Wednesday, February 16th.

EOLCNY Resources:

Grief & Aspects of the African American Experience – In this video, we have a conversation about grief, it’s common manifestations and how we can cope in a time where common strategies are not possible. We also take a special look at elements of grief from the African American perspective, highlighting how social inequities frame and impact African American grief.

Grief & Aspects of the African American Experience Course for Social Workers After completing the course, participants will be able to: explain what grief is and the different ways it may be experienced, describe how race-based trauma may impact grief, and identify specific helpful approaches when providing grief counseling to African American communities. Completion of this course counts as 1.5 contact hours for licensed NY social workers. 

Other Resources:

• National Black Nurses Association Special Issue on Hospice and Palliative Care featuring article “Barriers to Palliative and Hospice Care in Black Communities” by EOLCNY Executive Director Ayana Woods

• Black Grief Practitioners Are Protecting Black Life in Death

• Grieving While Black: An Antiracist Take on Oppression and Sorrow

Our staff remains committed to answering your questions and we are happy to take your calls or inquiries. Please call us at 212-726-2010 or email us at info@eolcny.org.