The first quarter of 2026 at The Center for Black Health & Equity (The Center) started on a strong note after a much-needed season of renewal.
We closed out 2025 by prioritizing the holistic care and sustainability of our internal wellness initiatives. This was vital – watching the federal government rein in equitable public health efforts made many of us feel uneasy and mentally drained.
The Center for Black Health & Equity’s Wellness and Wellbeing Committee was awarded a $10,000 Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC Wellbeing Grant to help us broaden our wellness offerings for staff members.
We hosted two initiatives, Spring Into Wellness and Fall Into Wellness, to provide creative, art-based group activities and team building during our midyear and end-of-year staff meetings. Each employee was given a personal allowance to invest in the wellness dimension most meaningful to them – physical, mental, spiritual, social, occupational, intellectual, environmental, or financial wellness.
Some staff used the funds to buy new shoes for a 10k run, new workspace equipment, support family gatherings, and more. Staff appreciation gifts were also provided to support each individual’s wellness during the high-intensity organizationally led event, the State of Black Health National Conference.
BU Tobacco Program
In January, Gregory Bolden, our Community Initiatives Program Manager, provided technical assistance and education to our partners in Jackson, Mississippi. This training served as the BU program kickoff for youth ambassadors and their parents, staff from Partnership for Southern Equity, and Caffee, Caffee, and Associates Public Health Foundation.
For six years, the Mississippi Department of Health has funded this program to reduce tobacco use among those under age 21. The program brings youth to the forefront, teaches them how to promote tobacco-free environments, and educate others about tobacco harms.
The Center utilized this space to teach Jacksonians about the tumultuous history between Black Americans and tobacco, the No Menthol Sunday campaign, and other notable initiatives that help build strategic partnerships and activate change. Along with advocacy, including youth ambassadors in this program helps ensure its sustainability for future generations.
We at The Center pride ourselves on meeting partners where they are in order to build capacity and enhance the community’s ability to make the changes they prioritize in their communities. In the coming months, we will evaluate how this training establishes a foundation for understanding the tobacco industry’s deceptive tactics and moves this community towards advocacy.
National Day of Healing
January 20 marked the tenth anniversary of the National Day of Racial Healing, created by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, one of The Center’s generous funders. The day is intended to bolster opportunities for healing the racial divide that exists in America.
This year’s observance day followed the 40th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a reminder that healing, justice, and equity are deeply intertwined.
Mary Williams-Stover, our Equity-Centered Policies Manager, supported ASHE’ Cultural Arts Center’s National Day of Racial Healing event in New Orleans. ASHE’ has been a partner of The Center for years and led a powerful day of reflection, connection, and restoration to bring the community together. They have also had a hand in the development of the Truth Be Told toolbox, a resource made by The Center, showing communities how to use storytelling to advance equitable policies.
Williams-Stover had an opportunity to share part of the Truth Be Told training during the event, encouraging others to take steps toward social change.
Kicking Off No Menthol Sunday
Hundreds of people joined our virtual launch on March 18 for this year’s No Menthol Sunday (NMS) campaign materials. NMS is back for its twelfth year as The Center’s annual opportunity to engage faith and community leaders about smoking, vaping, and the role of new menthol products and other flavors in initiating tobacco addiction.
The kickoff included a formal introduction of the campaign and unveiled this year’s theme: We Are The Movement.
No Menthol Sunday falls on May 17 this year, and those looking to participate can visit NoMentholSunday.org to order swag and for more information.
