< PreviousBUSINESS NEWS Pennsylvania ranks as the 11th best state in the U.S. for the success of minority-owned businesses, according to a new study. Lendio, a small business finance solutions provider, recently released a study titled “The Best & Worst States for Minority Entrepreneurs.” The study used the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Small Business Administration (SBA), and Economic Policy Institute from the business, lending, and economic sectors in each of the 50 states and D.C. The data revealed that in Pennsylvania, 10.6% of businesses and 18% of startups under two years old are minority owned. From 2019-21, the number of jobs at these companies grew by 44%. The study also showed that there are now a record 1.2 million minority-owned businesses in the U.S. Businesses owned by minorities have received a boost from the SBA’s Community Advantage loans awarded to underserved communities. The percentage of SBA loans awarded to businesses owned by minorities has risen from 34% in 2017 to 45% in 2022. Businesses own by Native Americans grew by 68%, Pacific Islanders 28.8%, Latinos 16.5%, Blacks 13.6%, and Asians 10.2%. The 10 best states for minority entrepreneurs are Hawaii, Maryland, Maine, Delaware, New Jersey, Florida, California, Virginia, Texas, and Idaho. PA Ranks No. 11 in Minority-Owned Businesses by Ed Gruver 16 Small Business Grants for Minorities by AJ Dellinger and Robert Thorpe Minority-owned businesses make up about half of all the new businesses created in the last decade. They’ve helped create nearly five million new jobs and generate close to $700 billion but still face significant financial challenges. Small business grants for minorities provide funds to minority business owners — groups that have historically lacked fair access to business capital. Unlike small business loans, these grants don’t have to be paid back, though you will likely face a lot of competition for these funds. Here’s a look at 16 of the best small business grants for minorities and additional resources that could help you secure financing for your business. FEDERAL SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS FOR MINORITIES 1. Grants.gov Grants.gov is a federally operated website that hosts more than 1,000 funding opportunities — including those for small and minority-owned businesses. These grants are offered by federal agencies like the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Once you sign up, you can search the available grants and find the options that best match your business. Application process: Businesses that want to apply for grants through Grants.gov must first register with the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) to obtain a non-proprietary identifier. The identi- fier, known as a Unique Entity Identity (UEI), is a 12-character alphanumeric identifier. All entities that want to do business with the federal government must have a UEI. After obtaining a UEI, you can return to the Grants.gov website to proceed with submitting funding applica- tions. The non-proprietary identifier replaces the DUNS Number, which used to be required up until April 4, 2022. 2. The USDA Rural Business Development Grant Program Rural Business Development Grants can be used for technical assistance, training and other projects that benefit rural communities. While not specific to minority-owned businesses, the USDA Rural Business Development Grant Program is a valuable resource for rural regions where minority populations are leading sources of economic growth. The USDA offers two types of grants: Opportunity and Enterprise grants. Both can be used for projects like community improve- ment, feasibility studies, strategic planning and leadership training. But Enterprise grants go further to also include projects like training and technical assistance, rural distance learning and land acquisition. Businesses that would like to apply for the USDA Rural Business Development Grant Program must have 50 or fewer employees and less than $1 million in gross revenue. Also, they must operate in an eligible rural area. Application process: The USDA Rural Development’s application process takes place through its local or state offices. 3. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Trans- fer (STTR) Programs The SBIR and STTR programs provide ear- ly-stage, high-risk funding to small businesses that conduct Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D). Grants come from eleven federal agencies that currently participate in the programs, including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). As part of the HHS, The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) allocates grant funding to small businesses from all backgrounds that provide research and development specific to the health equity challenges faced by underserved commu- nities. Both the SBIR and STTR programs have three phases: Phase I awards can be worth up to $250,000, while Phase II awards are usually $750,000 for two years. Phase III funding isn’t provided by these programs, but there may be funding and production contracts that come from non-SBIR/STTR sources. Application process: You’ll need to determine your eligibility before you can apply for SBIR and STTR grants, which is typically reserved for U.S-based, for-profit businesses with 500 employees or less. Eligible businesses will have to research current opportunities and register with multiple web- based systems, including the System for Award Management (SAM) and Electronic Research Administration (eRA) Commons before con- tinuing on with the application process. ADDITIONAL FEDERAL RESOURCES: Direct grants alone won’t be enough to over- come social and economic disadvantages faced by minority small business owners. Here’s a look continued on page 24 8 | TALK MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2023BUSINESS NEWS WWW.TALKMAGAZINEONLINE.COM | 9 Must be 21 years of age or older to be inside Rivers Casino. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER. 777 CASINO DRIVE PITTSBURGH, PA 15212 RIVERSCASINO.COM New Pittsburgh Courier The New Pittsburgh Courier has learned that The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI), an organization focused on preparing Black talent for career development and professional advancement, announced the addition of Vice President of Operations, Alexis James Steals. As a seasoned financial services professional, Alexis adds even greater strength and agility to TALI’s power-packed leadership team and will usher the Institute to new levels of efficiency as it continues to expand nationally. “Alexis will play an essential role in equipping us to scale our success through efficient strategies, tools, and processes as we begin to grow nationally,” states Evan Frazier, President & CEO of The Advanced Leadership Institute. “As someone who currently serves as a TALI executive mentor for our Executive Leadership Academy, Alexis has proven that she is familiar with and committed to our model and vision. Her strong desire to help Black professionals advance their careers combined with her years of work in corporate America, background in education, and desire to help the community, make her a great fit for TALI’s VP of Operations role.” Alexis’ impressive career includes past employment at PNC, National City, and Bank of New York Mellon. Most recently, she was Senior Vice President at Tristate Capital Bank. Having developed a reputation as a business and community leader, Alexis’ expertise is expected to enhance TALI’s ability to be highly responsive in the face of developing organizational needs. Alexis will work closely with the CEO and will provide support in areas such as finance, human resources, marketing, technology, and facilities. “After observing TALI’s early victories, specifically their success in advancing the careers of Black professionals, it became clear TALI’s vision integrated with my own desire to impact the next generation of leaders in a meaningful way,” explained Alexis. “As I transition into this new role, I look forward to helping to uphold and advance TALI’s mission, while also making a positive impact on the communities the Institute serves.” Alexis refers to “faith, family, and service to the communi- ty” as the pillars of her existence and is a known advocate of education. She has done meaningful work with many local non-profits including Junior Achievement, The Pittsburgh Public Schools, and Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepre- neurship, to name a few. Currently, Alexis serves on the board of the Jack and Jill Foundation of America, is an Eastern Region Jack and Jill officer, and previously served as President of Jack and Jill’s Pittsburgh Chapter. Alexis is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and their School of Education. As a continuous learner, Alexis recently completed a Product Strategy program through Northwestern’s Kellogg Executive Education Program. Alexis was selected from a broad executive search that yielded over 120 applicants for the position and will replace Interim VP of Operations, Marvin B. Prentice. The organiza- tion is grateful to Mr. Prentice for stepping into this role over the last several months while the extensive search took place to bring Alexis James Steals to TALI. Alexis James Steals VP of Operations TALI Names WWW.TALKMAGAZINEONLINE.COM | 9LATINO NEWS Norman Colon, Chairman of the Pennsylvania Latino Convention sharing new details on the 2023 PA Latino Convention. Behind Colon, stands Olga Negron, and Matt Maisel. Home of Latino 2023 Convention by Zahriah Balentine | zbalentine@pennlive.com “For those of you who missed the last five conventions, you have no idea what you’re about to encounter,” said Olga Negron, Vice-Chair, Pennsylvania Lati- no Convention. “Yes, Latinos are here to stay, 1.1 million of us. We gather and we empower, that’s what we do. And we’re very proud to celebrate our accom- plishments, heritage, culture, and blessings.” More than fifty percent of the state’s population growth in the past two decades has been of Latin or Hispanic descent, making Latinos the largest demographic growth in the commonwealth. Latinos are also the largest minority ethnic group nationwide. The growing number of residents means more Latinos voted in the most recent general election than any other. Due to the population spike, voting suppression and other social justice issues will be a major topic at this year’s convention, according to Norman Colon, Chairman of the Pennsylvania Latino Convention. The Latino convention will feature more than 30 different workshops, including the Latino Health Summit, Latino Education Summit, Work- force Development Town hall, Latina Women Conference, Business and Entrepreneurship Forum, Young Professionals Leadership Development, Hispanic College Fair, and the State’s Official Hispanic Heritage Month Gala. For the first time, the convention will include parental involvement workshops that will be conducted in Spanish for Latino parents. The event will also dedicate a day for Latino students to attend, according to Colon. Among the other topics for discussion at this year’s convention will include poverty, education, pay equity, housing, and access to health care. “Last year, more than 32 million Latinos were eligible to vote – making Latinos the largest minority ethnic voting bloc for the first time in our nation’s history,” said Colon. “Bringing the convention to the capital city and govern- ment center is a natural fit. With a new governor and leaders in the House and Senate, the convention is an opportunity for our executive and legislative branches of government to hear our concerns and include our voices in the Penn- sylvania of the future.” Gloria Vazquez-Merrick, Executive Director of the Latino Hispanic American Community Center in Harrisburg, said the convention should be a boon for the city. “This is going make a big difference for us. It’s going to boost our economy, relationships, and it’s going to lesson poverty as we have more individuals coming in to help us at the Latino center,” said Vazquez-Merrick. Harrisburg Mayor Wanda R.D. Williams said more than 25 percent of Harrisburg residents are Hispanic or Latino. Williams made her remarks virtually due to personal family matter, according to according to city spokesman Matt Maisel. “We are honored to host this year’s Pennsylvania Latino Convention,” said Williams. “I can think of no more perfect place than the capital of the Keystone State to hold this event. As Harrisburg goes, so goes the rest of Pennsylvania. Here, we lead by example, and diversity is our keystone.” United Healthcare.com Increasing Access to Care with the Latino Wellness Festival in Philadelphia The PA Latino Convention has grown larger every year since its inception five years ago, bringing Latino voices front and center in the Keystone state. And this fall, the event that normally brings almost 700 attendees will rock the city of Harrisburg for the first time when the capital city hosts their 6th annual convention during National Hispanic Heritage Month. Community and corporate leaders at noon on Thursday at Harrisburg city hall an- nounced plans for the convention which will take place Wednesday, Sept. 20-22 at the Hilton Harrisburg Hotel. 10 | TALK MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2023 In support of increasing access to care, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Pennsylvania recently helped sponsor a Latino Wellness Festival in Philadelphia. The event was organized by the Latino Behavioral Health Coalition (LBHC) and was designed to promote personal wellness within the Philadelphia Latino community. A number of Latino health associations and local organizations collaborated to provide a day of family activities and free medical services. Outreach teams distributed bilingual information to attendees and explained how they could access further resources for mental and physical health. Despite heavy rain for the duration of the event, UHC team members along with other community groups stayed the course to provide resources for attendees. Food trucks, music, games for children, face-painting and other activities kept families entertained while children, parents and grand- parents could access free medical care, including lab testing and screening for Parkinson’s disease or dementia. Philadelphia has large, diverse Latino communities. Those who are eligible for Medicaid encounter additional barriers to care beyond the usual obstacles, due to cultural and demographic influences, and health fairs have proven to be effective outreach strategies. Latino communities are growing fast in Philadelphia, and so is the need for integrated services Of the twelve states with at least one million Hispanic residents, Pennsyl- vania saw the fastest Latino population growth, 38%, from 2010 to 2019.1 According to the 2020 census, Pennsylvania’s Hispanic or Latino residents numbered 1,049,615 in 2020. The population of Hispanic or Latino origin grew by 45.8%, while the population that was not of Hispanic or Latino HarrisburgLATINO NEWS origin declined by 0.2% since 2010. Latino individuals in Philadelphia have the highest rate of new mental health diagnoses and the second highest rate of new HIV diagnoses, binge drinking, and opioid-related mortality. There is also a high incidence rate of serious chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes in Latino communities. In 2023, almost 1 in 5 residents in Philadelphia County, Pa., are Hispanic or Latino. By 2040, growing at current rates, multicultural segments could represent the majority. There is a significant and increasing need for effective and culturally responsive health care services. Understanding additional barriers to care in Latino communities Besides financial barriers and high uninsured rates, Latino individuals experience significant non-financial barriers, both cultural and linguistic, that contribute to lower rates of access and utilization of health care services, including preventive screening services. It is important to understand how diverse populations can be within the Latino community and to adapt as needed. North Philadelphia has a larger proportion of residents that are of Puerto Rican origin. South and South- west Philadelphia Latino communities are predominantly of Mexican origin. Other Hispanic/Latino residents are those of Salvadoran, Cuban, Domini- can, Guatemalan, Colombian and Honduran origins. “Latino communities are not homogenous. We are diverse in cultures, races and origins, and hold our own unique perspectives and gifts to bring to the table. What works in one community, may not work for another,” says Nelly Jimenez-Arevalo, Executive Director and CEO, ACLAMO, which provides access to social services and wellness programs in Philadelphia. Per the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Bucks County PA, other challenges faced by those who are Latino when seeking mental health care include language barriers, misdiagnosis, fear of deportation even though eligible for coverage, reliance on home remedies, and lack of Spanish-speak- ing mental health professionals. Health fairs staffed by bilingual medical professionals and advocates can help alleviate some of these concerns. Health fairs are effective at reaching underserved populations A study reviewing attendance at seven health fairs for English/Spanish speakers found that 80% of participants rated the health fairs as an import- ant factor in their decision to get screened. Many respondents believed that the fairs raised community awareness about the importance of screening, and provided education to those who would not otherwise have received it. Fair coordinators told researchers they perceived the health fairs to be suc- cessful in reaching underserved populations. They also said that the health fairs planned for cultural groups were rated higher in satisfaction overall than events, and participants enjoyed the cultural aspects (e.g., native foods, activities). Dr. Cuong Pham, of the University of Minnesota, says, “Social con- ditions like work, childcare needs and transportation make it difficult for community members to come to a clinic or hospital. Health care has been focused on having patients come to established clinics to receive the resourc- es and care they need, which ignores the barriers they often face. So, when we can go to communities themselves, it makes it so much better for them.” Commitment is going where you’re needed Health fairs are increasingly being used to address the need for no- and low-cost services that target prevention and education in underserved com- munities. Receiving information directly from health professionals is one of the most important sources regardless of health literacy, thus highlighting the importance of face-to-face contact with health professionals. Community engagement, partnerships, relationship building, and increased awareness of service organizations are additional benefits of health fairs. UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Pennsylvania welcomed the opportunity to help sponsor and take part in the Latino Wellness Festival and is committed to collaboration for increased access to medical care for the Latino community in Philadelphia. You may qualify for disadvantaged business certification if you answer yes to all of the following: Are you a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted permanent resident? Is your firm 51% owned by a socially and economically disadvantaged individual who controls and manages the firm’s daily business operations? Does your personal net worth not exceed $1.32 million? Allegheny County Department of Equity and Inclusion 204 County Office Building, 542 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Phone: 412-350-4309 | DEI@alleghenycounty.us Facebook.com/AlleghenyCountyDEI DEPARTMENT OF EQUITY AND INCLUSION WWW.TALKMAGAZINEONLINE.COM | 11Photos by Jamaal Craig Talk Minority Action Group’s 2023 Annual PA African American Network ConventionHEALTH NEWS Black Maternal Health by Ed Mahon During Shapiro’s budget address, he described a rising maternal mortality rate in Pennsylvania and nationally, and noted that Black women are at greater risk for pregnancy-related deaths, an inequity he called unacceptable. “The first step is understanding why that is happening,” Shapiro said. “So for the first time ever, we are going to put real resources into studying exactly that — so we can make concrete investments to address this disparity.” His budget proposes a modest amount of new funding aimed at building off of the work of the Pennsylvania Maternal Mortality Review Committee. Lawmakers created that group in 2018, and tasked it with reviewing pregnancy-related deaths and developing prevention strategies. Shapiro’s budget calls for $2.3 million to implement strategies and recommendations from the committee, and his administration says it could leverage that additional state funding to receive $1.25 million more in federal funds. The proposed state money would be used to establish a Division of Maternal Health in the health department. During one budget hearing, Acting Health Secretary Bogen referred to the proposed $2.3 million as “a great start.” State Rep. Gina Curry (D., Delaware) told Spotlight PA the proposal is an “initial investment” and “an acknowledgment that we haven’t seen in the past.” While pregnancy-related deaths are rare, research shows they are often preventable, and maternal health advocates say they have a large impact. “When moms die, it has a ripple effect — and lasting effect on children … on support people, on families, communities, and, quite frankly, the entire human race,” said Sharee Livingston, an obstetrician and gynecologist in Lancaster County, during recent testimony in Harrisburg. The number of pregnancy-associated deaths rose in Pennsylvania from 84 in 2013 to 102 in 2018, according to a state health department report from 2020. Pregnancy-associated deaths are defined as ones that occur while a person is pregnant or up to one year from the end of the pregnan- cy, regardless of the cause. Non-Hispanic Black people accounted for a disproportionate share of pregnancy-associated deaths, the 2020 report found. They accounted for 14% of births in Pennsylvania during the six-year time period reviewed, but they represented 23% of the pregnancy-associated deaths. “Every year we experience an overwhelming loss in Black maternal mortali- ty,” Curry said during a recent Capitol rally. “And the research shows that we are losing the fight ultimately because of the racial disparities that continue to haunt the very experience that is supposed to bring joy and autonomy.” In interviews and public comments, some lawmakers and maternal health advocates have called for broader changes to address systemic issues, including diversifying the medical ranks and expanding Medicaid to cover doulas who provide physical and emotional support to pregnant people. Under Wolf, Pennsylvania opted into a change that advocates say can help improve maternal health and address racial disparities: extending pregnancy-related coverage through Medicaid from 60 days after a child’s birth to 12 months. A Shapiro spokesperson said the governor’s budget continues that extension. Doulas cannot currently be directly paid by Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program, according to Department of Human Services spokesperson Na- talie Scott. But she said the agency is working to expand their availability. Advocates say change is needed — and possible. “There are solutions. This isn’t a problem that we can’t fix,” Livingston, a founding board member of health advocacy group Patients R Waiting, told Spotlight PA. “We just have to remain steadfast on the solutions and commit to them.” ALEJANDRO A. ALVAREZ / PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER Bad Air Risk to Children Mostly Black and Hispanic In Philadelphia, which has a pediatric asthma rate that is roughly three times that of the national average, wildfire smoke from Canada is especially risky to Black and Hispanic children. Smoke from wildfires in Canada made a most unhealthy day for air quality the city has expe- rienced since 2008, especially risky to children with asthma. An in Philadelphia, Black and Hispanic children are much likelier to develop asthma – and to get sicker from it. As the chief of the emergency department at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in North Philadelphia, James Reingold often sees kids struggling to breathe as they cross his hospi- tal’s doorstep. Children in the neighborhoods around the hospital have some of the highest rates of asthma in the city. “That’s not because Hispanic and Black children have an inherent difference in how they respond to asthma,” Reingold said. “It’s just a marker for where they live, what pollution they’re exposed to and what other chronic stress they’re under.” Reinold prepared for what he feared would be an influx of patients affected by some. Jus the day before, a child had collapsed in his emergen- cy department and nearly died, he said. “It was unusual – possibly a warning sign for what the next few days are going to be like,” he said. “We have so many children who have asth- ma, and the asthma they have is so, so high. I’ve never seen such a sick cohort of children.” Parent of kids with asthma living in the North Philadelphia neighborhoods around St. Christo- pher’s were also watching the skies with concern those days. In the hospital parking lot, Hawa Dawleit’s 7-year-old son begged his mom to take him to a nearby park after a routine doctor’s appointment. 14 | TALK MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2023HEALTH NEWS by Aubrey Whelan, Wendy Ruderman, Kasturi Pananjady and Abraham Gutman Her son, Lugman Fadalla, a first grader at Juniata Park Academy, has severe asthma. It typ- ically flares up in winter months, but the smoke threatened to ruin the reprieve he enjoys in late spring and summer, Dawleit said, speaking in Arabic with her oldest daughter translating. Her son wasn’t experiencing asthma symptoms, at least not yet, and she wanted to keep him stable, she said. Dawleit took her children to the park, but a combination of rain and poor air quality drove them indoors. “We’re not allowed to go outside because of the condition of the air,” explained Lugman’s older sister, Rayan Mohmaed Fadalla, 11. “My mom gets a little scared. We’re lucky the hospital is nearby.” In extreme cases, the lung’s tubes can shut within seconds or minutes, said Danie Taylor, a pediatrician at St. Christopher’s. For many kids, it can take a couple of days for the inflammation to build up and have an impact on breathing. Typically, children that end up seeking treat- ment at St. Christopher’s have seen their asthma exacerbated by environmental toxins like mold, pollutants from cars and factories, and sparse tree coverage, which all increase the risk for asthma, Taylor said. As the poorest large city in America, Philadel- phia has a pediatric asthma rate that is roughly three times that of the national average. Children in the majority-Black neighborhoods of North Philadelphia, Nicetown, West Phila- delphia and Kingsessing have some of the city’s highest asthma hospitalization rates, according to an Inquirer analysis of hospital cost data. Overall, Black children 19 and younger are hospitalized due to asthma at a rate five times that of their white counterparts. How Precision Medicine Can Help Address Black Maternal Health Disparities photo Mary Schultheis In the last issue, we discussed the historical and ongo- ing issues in clinical research and how diverse participants can help us create a new way forward. One of the most pressing issues in clinical research is centered around the Black community—maternal mortality. According to the March of Dimes, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing maternal health risks, Black women are nearly three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to White women, and infant mortality for Black babies is almost two times higher than the national average. These statistics are disheartening and terrifying. Although it would be convenient to pinpoint one cause of the alarming rates of Black maternal deaths, the reality is there are a variety of societal and medical variables that all contribute to this outcome. To understand and identify the causes as well as opportunities to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity, we need to recognize the issue as a public health crisis that allows us to use new precision medicine research and engage with the community. As we’ve discussed in previous stories, social determinants of health play a large role in determining our well-being. The conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age are the biggest drivers of health beyond the scope of health care alone. Generations of structural racism and implic- it bias have established social determinants of health exposures like where you live, access to nutrition, health care, education, and economics. Social determinants of health play a huge role in this Black maternal health crisis. Some research has demonstrated that one contributing factor is that Black women often have access to lower quality hospitals, as deter- mined by national measurement standards, than their White counterparts. However, we know that the challenges are much larger than this. Even famous athlete Serena Williams had to fight to be heard after she gave birth and developed a blood clot in her lungs. In 2020 the Association of Black Cardiologists published a paper outlining the complex issues facing Black mothers. They pointed out that hypertension, obesity, unhealthy eating habits, and lack of exercise are all disproportionately affecting Black women. These comorbidities can make Black women more likely to experience complications during and after pregnancy. In fact, the data shows that almost 40% of Black maternal deaths are caused by cardiovascular complications like coronary artery disease, pulmonary hypertension, heart valve disease, aneurysm, hyperten- sion, and preeclampsia. What’s even more alarming is that 68% of these deaths are preventable. The Association of Black Cardiologists also highlighted the unique cultural issues in addressing Black mothers’ health. They explained that structural racism has manifested the “superwoman” phenomenon, in which Black women feel intense motivation to succeed and help others at the cost of their own wellbeing. This cultural legacy also contributes disproportionately to Black women bearing a large amount of biological stress which increases susceptibility to health problems. Creating sustainable solutions to this challenge will take a multi-pronged approach. While precision medicine research will lend an individualized understanding of the health of each individual pregnant woman and her offspring, maternal-child health disparities go beyond genetics. Instead, we require a deeper understanding of how environmental and social influences impact the molecular level of our biology. New computing capabilities are allowing researchers to better understand this connection between our genes and the environment. The technology can capture multiple layers of biological data and connect the impact of the environment and social determinants of health to their eventual health outcomes. This advancement allows researchers to better understand how external factors can affect health outcomes. However, the most important solution is engaging with the community. I had the opportunity to speak with Mary Schultheis, founder and CEO of Crescent City Family Services Inc. in Louisiana about how researchers can best engage with the Black community on this issue. Mary is a national advocate for community-engaged approaches to improving maternal-child health outcomes. Mary pointed out that the time spent in the doctor's office, or the hospital represents a short period of time. Healthcare workers need to be engaging with their patients out in the community throughout their pregnancy and even child-rearing. She feels engagement with the community can make health resources more visible and accessible. Mary, who is trained as a nurse, reflected that when she was having her children, she did not know about the Pennsylvania Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) or other resources she could take advantage of when needed. She even recalled that despite her education, she did not even know she was supposed to have postpartum visits. Mary also appreciates that current research is centering on the commu- nity voices that are being highlighted. Moms can now participate in a research project and know they are contributing important information to increase knowledge that will lead to further educating their own commu- nity. However, we both know we have a long way to go to address these preventable deaths. With the combined application of precision medicine research, public health interventions, and community engagement we will work together to create the knowledge, strength, and power to move the needle on this crisis. by Mylynda Massart, M.D., assistant professor of medicine at University of Pittsburgh and the director of the UPMC Primary Care Precision Medicine clinic WWW.TALKMAGAZINEONLINE.COM | 15by National Urban League Marc H. Morial , President and CEO, National Urban League At my first National Urban League Conference in Pittsburgh in 2003, just weeks after I became President and CEO, I outlined a five-point Empowerment Agenda that evolved into the Five Pillars of our movement: Employ- ment, Education, Housing, Healthcare, and Justice. Twenty years later to the day, at our Conference in Houston, I introduced a new phase of advocacy and activism – Empowerment 2.0 – that builds upon the foundation of the Five Pillars through what I call the Three Ds. With the Three Ds as our battle cry and our clarion call, this generation of Urban League leaders, partners, and supporters is prepared to face the headwinds that lie before us. The third D is Defeat Poverty. The third D is Defeat Poverty. In order to close all racial income and wealth gaps, we will focus on closing gaps in education, healthcare, housing and justice. For a nation with a $23 trillion economy, the largest national economy in history, to have double digit levels of poverty and even more people living on the brink, is unacceptable. The 20th century Civil Rights Movement of our fathers and grandfathers was a movement to defeat the white supremacist terrorism of Jim Crow. When I came to the Urban League in 2003, we were facing a new villain: James Crow, Esquire, who wore a suit and a tie instead of a robe and hood, and spoke of “states’ rights” and “welfare queens” instead of the n-word. Twenty years later, we are facing the son of James and the grandson of Jim: Jimmy Crow. Not content with sup- pressing Black votes, he seeks the power to ignore election results altogether. He rants about “replacement theory” and “Critical Race Theory.” We are engaged in a battle for the future of this nation. It is clear that the progress, hard fought, since the Brown decision, is under assault on every front. From the Supreme Court to right-wing state legislatures, to cable talk shows, to the utterances of some Governors, presidential candidates, members of Congress and the United States Senate – it seems they are trying to bend that moral arc not toward justice, but backward to a dark time, long gone. The second D is Demand Diversity. We insist on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in all aspects of American life, from our courtrooms to our classrooms and campuses, from our factory floors and construction sites our C-suites and every workplace in America. We must level the playing field, so our children and children’s children have an equal opportunity to succeed. The first D is Defend Democracy. We will, and we must, demand the full restoration of the Voting Rights Act. We demand fair representation in Congress and state legislatures and an end to racially-based gerrymandering. We demand freedom of expression and freedom of speech, and we will not comply with book bans and warped lesson plans designed to erase us from history and force our LGBTQ brethren back into the closet. With 2024 around the corner, and states purging their voting rolls and putting up barriers to the ballot box, we are going to need an effort like never before. Defend Democracy, Demand Diversity, Defeat Poverty Empowerment 2.0 Focuses On Three DS: 12 3 16 | TALK MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2023 “For more than 100 years, this organization has worked to bring our country together in coali- tion in the collective fight for the freedom, rights, and justice of all people. ... we know we have more work to do, being clear-eyed about the moment we are in - a moment when state by state in places like Texas and Florida, extremist so-called leaders attack hard-won rights and freedoms.” – Vice President Kamala Harris, National Urban League 2023 ConferenceWWW.TALKMAGAZINEONLINE.COM | 17 As proposed legislative changes to Pennsylvania’s probation system move quickly through the General Assembly, several criminal legal reform advocates spoke out today in opposition to the bill, warning that the revisions will make things harder for many people on probation. Senate Bill 838 was introduced in the Senate on June 21, passed out of committee the next day, and passed the full Senate on Tuesday. The bill was approved by the House Judiciary Committee last night and is now under consideration in the state House. The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, Abolitionist Law Center, and 45 other organizations joined a sign-on statement in opposition to the legislation. The following can be attributed to Elizabeth Randol, legislative director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania: “Probation in Pennsylvania is in desperate need of reform. It feeds mass incarceration by keeping people trapped in a system of restric- tions that inevitably keeps them in its clutches, leading to more time under supervision and even periods of incarceration. “Unfortunately, this bill doesn’t fix the problems. SB 838 fails to cap the periods of years that people can be sentenced to and kept on pro- bation. While it creates a presumption against jail time for violations of probation rules, the exceptions are so broad that it renders the presumption meaningless. And, perhaps most appalling of all, it creates a new form of probation for people who haven’t finished paying their restitution, including to corporations, perpetuating a debtors’ probation. “For years, counties have been implementing their own reforms to probation. And the Commission on Sentencing’s new guidelines actu- ally do more for reform than this bill does. The General Assembly has tried but failed to tackle this issue. They should leave it to others.” The following can be attributed to Robert Saleem Holbrook, executive director of Abolitionist Law Center: “The speed at which SB838 is being rushed through the House without the input of more than 40 criminal justice reform organizations is a reminder of how House leadership on both sides of the aisle trample over the interests and well-being of communities impacted by mass incarceration. Politicians and the national organizations behind this bill are more interested in cutting deals and currying political favor than dismantling a broken system that disproportionately harms Black, working class and poor people.” CRIMINAL LEGAL REFORM ADVOCATES DENOUNCE PROPOSED CHANGES TO PA. PROBATION PROCESS ACLU.orgNext >