How long have you been a member of the Black Health Network, and what drew you to CBHN?

I’ve been a member of the Black Health Network since 2023. In October 2023, I attended the Briefing: Black Health Equity presented by the California Health Care Foundation and heard Rhonda Smith, Executive Director ofCalifornia Black Health Network, speak.

What is your current profession?

I am a social worker and the States Advocacy Director with Compassion and Choices- California, the nation’s oldest, largest, and most active nonprofit working to expand options, improve care, and empower everyone to chart their end-of-life journey.

From your perspective, what barriers exist in achieving health equity for Black Californians?

Barriers to health equity for Black Californians can stem from systemic injustices beyond the healthcare system, including issues in education, housing, and employment, that can affect access to quality care. 

Within the healthcare system, it’s important to feel supported by your healthcare team and be able to trust that your healthcare team works to honor your goals of care, values, culture, and beliefs. While I think many would agree there are problems within our healthcare system, it’s clear our healthcare system has broken this trust with many Black Californians.

We know more needs to be done to promote health equity at the end of life. Black Americans receive less pain medication and palliative care, are less likely to document their end-of-life wishes, and choose hospice less often than White Americans. Conversely, they often experience more aggressive, non-beneficial treatments and have higher rates of emergency room visits and hospitalizations.

It’s important that healthcare providers come from diverse backgrounds, listen to their patients,  and communicate health information in culturally competent ways. Patients should have multiple care options, affordable services, and providers who spend adequate time building relationships- discussing diagnoses, prognoses, treatment options and outcomes, and potential side effects- so patients can make informed decisions.

Both in your work and with CBHN, how have you been able to prioritize the health of Black Californians?

My role focuses on educating communities and advocating for improved end-of-life care. I actively listen to Black Americans to understand their needs and integrate their perspectives into my work.

I join webinars, attend conferences, listen to podcasts, and watch recordings of conferences hosted by Black Americans. I really enjoyed the “How Do I” series CBHN did and hearing the expert’s tips on how to access better care for the Black community. I watched the recording of “The Journey Home” Conference that our African American Leadership Council hosted and regularly listen to podcasts and panels featuring my Black colleagues.

I also support, lift up, and partner with organizations that are already doing good work to promote health equity.  I strive to be inclusive, honor perspectives, and take recommendations on policy, outreach, and communication styles from members of the black community. 

What inspires you to keep doing the work you do?

Hearing positive stories about how our work is making a difference. My grandmother passed away about 10 years ago and I know the pain my mom still carries about the way she died. Whenever someone shares with me a personal story regarding a loved one’s death that was a positive story, it gives me hope. When a loved one dies, grief is to be expected, but it’s possible to avoid confusion, being overwhelmed, fighting amongst loved ones, and depression.

What's the bravest thing you've ever done?

I think anytime I get out of my comfort zone is being brave. I’ve moved a lot and had to say goodbye and restart my community, starting new jobs and believing I have what it takes to be successful in new roles, running my first marathon, traveling alone, etc. But maybe the bravest thing I did was say yes when my now husband wanted to move cross country with me and asked me to marry him after 3 months of dating, but we’ve been together for 15 years so it worked out ;)

What's the best advice you've ever received?

I used to work for a Member of Congress who once said it’s a marathon, not a sprint, and as a marathon runner this really resonated with me. I think of this often and need to remind myself that changes are often incremental, roadblocks happen, self-care is necessary, but eventually we accomplish something big.