The Black History Month and our HIV-AIDS Prevention Pledge

We commit to empower African-born immigrants with  HIV-Prevention skills. We pledge to continue doing this even beyond the Black History Month. According to AHF, 37 million people living with HIV worldwide. 240 people being infected with HIV every hour. Less than 50% of all people living with HIV on life saving antiretroviral treatment.  According to http://www.actforyouth.net/, Globally, over 100 million STIs occur each year in people under the age of 25 years, and an estimated 11.8 million people aged 15-24 were living with HIV by mid-2002. Further, about half of all new HIV infections worldwide, or nearly 6,000 cases per day, occur in young people.

Between 2017-2027, we shall engage all the African-born Immigrant/Refugee groups, association and entities in owning skills to demand for health screening and information in the following thematic areas:

1. Health Education
2. Age-related Counselling and Support
3. Mother and Child Health Counselling and Support
4. Men, health and wellbeing counselling and Support
5. Sexual Assault, HIV transmission and the Law
6. HIV-related skills
7. Integrated HIV-related medical check ups:
8. Positive living care
9. Positive living literature
10. HIV testing and complementary services
11. ARV initiation
12. STD check ups

In the United States alone, approximately one-quarter of new STI infections, almost four million, are diagnosed among teens. Moreover, approximately 1,700 newly diagnosed cases of AIDS were reported in people between the ages of 13 and 24 in 2003. However, the risk of STI/HIV infection is not uniform among adolescents. Females, men who have sex with men, injection drug users, people who have exchange sex (i.e., sex for money or goods), and racial minorities have markedly higher rates of STI/HIV during adolescence.  Prevention among immigrants must look into the intersectionality aspect of: need for acculturation; practices that make one vulnerable; prevention practices; health seeking practices; economic sustainability practices; the justice, law and documentation issues of an immigrant; understanding of HIV-related laws; networks within which one survives; peer pressures; and resilience practices. All these impact on the way an immigrant is engaged in HIV prevention.

A day in the life of a health educator/promoter November 2nd 2016

A glimpse into the day in the life of a health educator /promoter : Community Event November 2nd 2016

My name is Tom R. Muyunga-Mukasa. I am inspired by other African-born immigrants who help raise what I call ‘health-consciousness.’ Yesterday we had a community event under what we call the “talking walls/drums” drum circle. The idea is we get a venue, in this case a park, through our drumming we mobilize people, entertain them while educating them. Now, I came across the story of Dr. Chimezie Raymond a Nigerian-born immigrant and it continues to inspire me. I realized our work is relevant. For that story see: https://www.waldenu.edu/connect/newsroom/spotlight/2016/channeling-his-passion-for-public-health.   This is wonderful. This is one of the reasons why some friends of mine and I came up with the Black, African, Atlantic and Indian Ocean Islands-born Immigrant Support Organization (BLAIR) dba Bay Area Healthy Living Support and Communication Platform (Bayheal). Between 2012-2015 alone, I had met 20 diabetic cases; 3 expectant mothers who had never attended antenatal check-ups; 14 people who confessed they had never done any medical check up ever since they came to USA in 2008-2009; 2 who needed dental surgery but had kept putting it off; and 9 who self-medicate. Please follow our work at: https://www.bayheal.org. I enjoy doing community work such as: community clean ups and it is not a problem to me to pick up plastics and discarded materials and safely put them in a waste bin. I enjoy conducting health education and promotion sessions with the San Francisco General Hospital’s Family Clinic; BayHeal (www.bayheal.org);  I also volunteer with San Francisco's Department of Public Health's Zero HIV/Zero Stigma Committee; UCSF ACTG; and SF AIDS Syringe exchange program. Someone said (a naysayer) in 2011 that one has to first acquire a degree to do community service work. Being an yeasayer, I went ahead and started an immigrant self help organization. In 2012, with common sense, a drive and planned focus,  I started by meeting and talking health issues to immigrants at social events (Washington DC, Boston MA, Minneapolis MN, Chicago IL), worship centres (Los Angeles CA, Oakland CA, Berkeley CA), restaurants and bars ( San Francisco CA, Antioch CA, Ashby CA, Lafayette CA, San Leandro CA, Richmond CA). Now, with the "talking walls/drums" project I meet large groups and talk about health. In the pictures you see, we are at the Nicholl Park of Richmond CA.

Co-founder John-Curtis Stovall Kwame driving to us to the venue

The smiling team before the session

Talking Drums Draw audiences

Talking while drumming

Continuing to pass on the message

Health is wealth message

Double-drum.....ha-ha!

Refreshments

Refreshments

This is the day!

Isn't it?

Healthy Long Life of an Immigrant in USA: Nuancing America Part 1 & 2

Tom R Muyunga-Mukasa, APHA

Part 1

This story is drawn from my experience as a volunteer counsellor for African, Atlantic and Indian Ocean islands-born immigrants in USA. The W-curve only begins to synthesize the experiences of adjusting. But, it is an individual experience: honeymoon/exhilaration once one is here; culture shock and reality of the many adjustments one has to undergo; initial adjustment/creating a new routine; mental isolation/ balancing resolve to make a home at a given address as well as having a discombobulating vacillation; and acceptance/integration/ where by one gets more involved in day to day life and begin to establish good relationships (Hoffenburger, K., Mosier, R., & Stokes, B. 1999). This calls for great perseverance and strength. The immigrant’s story is one that is structured along: I-94, grant letter, status, order of immigration, social security card, form AR-11, RCA, Medicaid, GA, GR, housing, I-9, I-485, I-693, I-730 (Forms) and whatsitsname……..and more than $5,000  dedicated as an initial fee for: legal fees, medicals & green card.

Different people have different needs. The citizens or lawful residents may have different views of America from the one who is just grappling with documentation. Dissatisfaction with government, the economy and immigration are perceived differently. There are many important issues in USA today and they are part of what we hear or read: guns, terrorism, climate change, labor, immigration, globalization, infrastructure, defense, investment, taxation, research, health care, and education (Anna North, 2016).

Health seeking practices are influenced by one’s status. The visa one holds in turn impacts one’s eligibility for federal, state and county services. Eligibility for Marketplace coverage or a health plan is important (10 things immigrant families need to know about the Marketplace). Knowledge that one can get low-cost health care at a nearby community health center makes a difference. Community health centers provide primary health care services to all residents, including immigrant families, in the health center’s service area (How to find low-cost health care in your community).

Refugees and immigrants especially, are faced with many barriers such as: need to speak English. Try getting a job, making friends, or even completing basic tasks like buying food or filling out forms. English influences abilities too.  Prescriptions for being Americanized, may be at odds with their own culture are demanded individually. Finding a job, and slowly moving up the ladder, is incredibly difficult for some. Employers typically prefer work experience within the US, and certifications outside of the US usually don’t transfer. Discrimination and exploitation in the workplace is common when one is vulnerable. Some employers recognize the sense of urgency and desperation among these groups to keep their jobs, so they will have them take the less desirable and even dangerous roles. Undocumented immigrants have an especially difficult time accessing services, largely because they are afraid of being deported. Consequently, people will avoid seeing the doctor or reaching out for services like legal guidance when they’re badly needed (Christina Nuñez, 2014).

There are abilities, enhancement and self-improvement skills one has to learn/acquire immediately. These range from civics: where the county, state or Federal seats are; how a bill is formulated; the US balance of powers, congress, senate and the basics of the electoral process; to familiarity with roads, destinations and signage ( David Mikkelson, 2011).


Part 2

This section is divided into:
Background
The five key Social Characteristics and Reflexive Typology
The Healthy People 2020 Action matrix
Importance of applying tenets of Healthy People 2020 to US African Immigrant Populations
US Population Race and Origin
Conclusion

Background:


People, who come from Africa, need an orientation and acculturation input as they learn to live in USA. To an American most of the services, decor, way of life, etiquette and habits are normalized. The literacy and numeracy levels are at such a level that most Americans can go on normally in life independently. It is no wonder that most services are 'prescriptive, do-it-yourself' kind. For an immigrant, there is need for an 'instructive-guiding-descriptive' approach that will not be taken to be condescending but empowering. In order to engage in healthy living practices, the immigrant needs someone who will reach out to them, walk half a mile towards them as they too walk to the service provider. If this is not the case false beliefs about health will abound, risky lifestyles will be the norm and hence morbidity and mortality. 



The Healthy People 2020, National Partnership for Action to End Health Disparities, National Prevention and Health Promotion Strategy, The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, different institutions and community-based organizations are opportunities to continue the task of create social and physical environments that promote good health for all.

According to Healthy 2020, health starts in our homes, schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, and communities. We know that taking care of ourselves by eating well and staying active, not smoking, getting the recommended immunizations and screening tests, and seeing a doctor when we are sick all influence our health. Our health is also determined in part by access to social and economic opportunities; the resources and supports available in our homes, neighborhoods, and communities; the quality of our schooling; the safety of our workplaces; the cleanliness of our water, food, and air; and the nature of our social interactions and relationships. The conditions in which we live explain in part why some Americans are healthier than others and why Americans more generally are not as healthy as they could be.

It is possible to contribute towards health equity through action on the social determinants of health among immigrants. Knowledge of how they socialize, acculturate, identify and work towards an independent autonomy is crucial for any public health practitioner. This knowledge helps one to empower immigrants to own skills with which to improve on their life, engage in healthy living and contribute to the wellbeing of their families and communities.

The five key Social Characteristics and Reflexive Typology:

The five key areas (determinants) in which immigrants contribute to their communities include:

Economic Stability

Education

Social and Community Context

Health and Health Care

Neighborhood and Built Environment

Each of these five determinant areas reflects a number of critical components/key issues that make up the underlying factors in the arena of determinants:

Economic Stability:

Poverty

Employment

Food Security

Housing Stability

Education:

High School Graduation

Enrollment in Higher Education

Language and Literacy

Early Childhood Education and Development

Business & Management

Creative Arts & Media

Health & Psychology

History

Languages & Cultures

Law

Literature

Nature & Environment

Online & Digital

Politics & the Modern World

Science, Maths & Technology

Sport & Leisure

Teaching & Studying

Social and Community Context:

Social Cohesion

Civic Participation

Discrimination

Incarceration

Health and Health Care:

Access to Health Care

Access to Primary Care

Health Literacy

Neighborhood and Built Environment:

Access to Healthy Foods

Quality of Housing

Crime and Violence

Environmental Conditions

The Healthy People 2020 Action Matrix: 

The Healthy 2020 vision calls on all of us to create social and physical environments that promote good health for all. All Americans deserve an equal opportunity to make the choices that lead to good health. But to ensure that all Americans have that opportunity, advances are needed not only in health care but also in fields such as education, childcare, housing, business, law, media, community planning, transportation, and agriculture. Making these advances involves working together to:

1. Explore how programs, practices, and policies in these areas affect the health of individuals, families, and communities.

2. Establish common goals, complementary roles, and ongoing constructive relationships between the health sector and these areas.

3. Maximize opportunities for collaboration among Federal-, state-, and local-level partners related to social determinants of health.

Understanding the relationship between how population groups experience “place” and the impact of “place” on health is fundamental to the social determinants of health—including both social and physical determinants.

Examples of social determinants according to Healthy People 2020 include:

Availability of resources to meet daily needs (e.g., safe housing and local food markets)

Access to educational, economic, and job opportunities

Access to health care services

Quality of education and job training

Availability of community-based resources in support of community living and opportunities for recreational and leisure-time activities

Transportation options

Public safety

Social support

Social norms and attitudes (e.g., discrimination, racism, and distrust of government)

Exposure to crime, violence, and social disorder (e.g., presence of trash and lack of cooperation in a community)

Socioeconomic conditions (e.g., concentrated poverty and the stressful conditions that accompany it)

Residential segregation

Language/Literacy

Access to mass media and emerging technologies (e.g., cell phones, the Internet, and social media)

Culture

Examples of physical determinants include:

Natural environment, such as green space (e.g., trees and grass) or weather (e.g., climate change)

Built environment, such as buildings, sidewalks, bike lanes, and roads

Worksites, schools, and recreational settings

Housing and community design

Exposure to toxic substances and other physical hazards

Physical barriers, especially for people with disabilities

Aesthetic elements (e.g., good lighting, trees, and benches)

By working to establish policies that positively influence social and economic conditions and those that support changes in individual behavior, we can improve health for large numbers of people in ways that can be sustained over time. Improving the conditions in which we live, learn, work, and play and the quality of our relationships will create a healthier population, society, and workforce.

Importance of applying tenets of Healthy People 2020 to US African Immigrant Populations:

They have homes and are part of thriving US communities. Empowering them to participate in activities of their “places” positively influences social and economic conditions and those that support changes in individual behavior. Improving the conditions of living, learning, working, and play and the quality of relationships will create a healthier population, society, and workforce.

The number of African immigrants in the United States grew from 881,300 in 2000 to 1.6 million in 2010.

The number of male African immigrants increased from 484,790 to 845,237 between 2000 and 2010, while the number of females increased from 396,510 to 761,677.

The African-share of foreign born Americans is 4%. As of 2010, more than one-fifth (21.8%) of African immigrants spoke only English, while just under half (49.1%) reported speaking it fluently. Nearly three-quarters of immigrants from Africa are black, while one-fifth are white. As of 2010, 74.3% of African immigrants were black, while 20% were white and 2.7% Asian.

The largest numbers of African immigrants are found in California, New York, Texas, Maryland, and Virginia. As of 2010, the largest African foreign-born populations were in California (158,953), New York (158,878), Texas (136,112), Maryland (125,470), and Virginia (89,290). The number of African immigrants in the United States are estimated to be 1,400,000 (2015) and 3,000,000 (2020). Going by the US Population census 2014 Age and Sex statistical formulae and using the population estimates of 2015:

US African Immigrant Population Specific Estimates/Data:

Persons under 0-4 years (6.2% of the population) are estimated at: 86,800

Persons 5-18 years (23.1% of the population) are estimated at: 323,400

Female persons (50.8% of the population) are estimated at: 711,200

Male persons (48.2% of the population) are estimated at: 678,800

Female persons 6-18 years (50.8% of the 323,400) are estimated at: 164,287

Male persons 6-18 years (48.2% of the 323,400) are estimated at: 155,879

Persons 19-65 years (14.5% of the population) are estimated at: 203,000

Female persons 19-65 years (14.5% of 711,200) are estimated at: 103,124

Male persons 19-65 years (14.5% of 678,800) are estimated at: 9,976

NB. Data on Non black, White and Asians who emigrate from Africa is captured under different categories. It should be noted that some people who moved from Africa have different races they may identify with once they come to USA.

The Ugandan-Americans:

Imagine the contribution of Ugandan-Americans in various areas ranging from improving use of information as a resource; operationalizing US policy on Africa; contributing to strategic planning; contributing to defense; contributing to industry; contributing to hospitality; contributing to hygiene. There has to be readiness to embrace such pillars like: Strengthening democratic institutions; supporting African economic growth and development; advancing peace and security; promoting opportunity and development as embodied in the US Strategy Towards Sub-Saharan Africa. Or it could be working with the Defense department leadership as they become leaders in technology innovation and keep the world’s best military force moving into the future. But to get there we need to have a minimum understanding of the composition.

The Ugandan population in America is between 20,000-25,000 with big communities living in California, Texas, Atlanta GA, Baltimore MD, Washington DC, Waltham MA, Boston MA, Detroit MI, Chicago IL, and St. Paul MN. 

Taking a baseline of 20,000:

8,000 have eligible documentation to enable them access full range of social support services at federal, state and county levels in USA e.g., Lifeline or the US Dept. of Education Discretionary Grants 

There are 9,000 females:11,000 males

University undergraduates 450

University level educators 20

PhD and postdoctoral level holders 10

Master level holders 70

High school level students 150

Technical/ Vocational level trainees 40

Licensed to drive a motor vehicle 4,000

Owning a car 3,000

Having a permanent place to stay 20,000

Owning a place to stay 5,000

Earning USD 1,000 and above every 2 weeks 1,200

Taxi-cab operators 200

Nursing care/home health aides 800

Employed in hospitality/janitorial/security occupations 1,000

Returned to Uganda in past 12 years (between 2015-2016) 6,000

Earning USD 30,000 and above per year 5,000

Below 40 years 13,000

Fluent in basic English language 20,000

Good command of business/corporate and social intuitive English 13,000.

Ugandan-Americans below 40 years 13,000:

With computer skills 5,000

Fluent in basic English language 13,000

Good command of business/corporate and social intuitive English 9,000

Licensed to drive 7,000

Own a car 700

Earning USD 1,000 and above every two weeks 4,000

Owning a house/ place to stay 2,000.

US Population Race and Origin:

Black or African American alone, percent, July 1, 2014, (V2014) is 13.2% of total population.

White alone, percent July 1, 2014, (V2014) is 77.4% of total population.

White alone, percent, April 1, 2010 is 72.4%

Black or African American alone, percent, July 1, 2014, (V2014) is 13.2%

Black or African American alone, percent, April 1, 2010 is 12.6%

American Indian and Alaska Native alone, percent, July 1, 2014, (V2014) is 1.2% 

American Indian and Alaska Native alone, percent, April 1, 2010 is 0.9%

Asian alone, percent, July 1, 2014, (V2014) is 5.4%

Asian alone, percent, April 1, 2010 is 4.8%

Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, percent, July 1, 2014, (V2014) is 0.2%

Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, percent, April 1, 2010 is 0.2%

Two or More Races, percent, July 1, 2014, (V201) is 2.5%

Two or More Races, percent, April 1, 2010 is 2.9%

Hispanic or Latino, percent, July 1, 2014, (V2014) is 17.4%

Hispanic or Latino, percent, April 1, 2010 is 16.3%

White alone, not Hispanic or Latino, percent, July 1, 2014, (V2014) is 62.1%

White alone, not Hispanic or Latino, percent, April 1, 2010 is 63.7%

Age and Sex:

Persons under 5 years, percent, July 1, 2014, (V2014) 6.2%

Persons under 5 years, percent, April 1, 2010 6.5%

Persons under 18 years, percent, July 1, 2014, (V2014) 23.1%

Persons under 18 years, percent, April 1, 2010 24.0%

Persons 65 years and over, percent, July 1, 2014, (V2014) 14.5%

Persons 65 years and over, percent, April 1, 2010 13.0%

Female persons, percent, July 1, 2014, (V2014) 50.8%

Female persons, percent, April 1, 2010 50.8%

US Population Transportation Data:

Mean travel time to work (minutes), workers age 16 years+, 2010-2014, is 25.7 minutes.

US Population Business Data:

Total employer establishments, 2014 is 7,563,085

Total employment, 2014 is 121,079,879

Total annual payroll, 2014 is 5,940,442,637

Total employment, percent change, 2013-2014 is 2.4%

Total non-employer establishments, 2013 is 23,005,620

All firms, 2012 is 27,626,360

Men-owned firms, 2012 is 14,844,597

Women-owned firms, 2012 is 9,878,397

Minority-owned firms, 2012 is 7,952,386

Non-minority-owned firms, 2012 is 18,987,918

Veteran-owned firms, 2012 is 2,521,682

Non veteran-owned firms, 2012 is 24,070,685

US Population Economy Data: 

Population in civilian labor force, total, percent of population age 16 years+, 2010-2014 is 63.5%

Population in civilian labor force, female, percent of population age 16 years+, 2010-2014 is 58.7%

Total accommodation and food services sales, 2012 ($1,000) is at 708,138,598

Total health care and social assistance receipts/revenue, 2012 ($1,000) is at 2,040,441,203

Total manufacturers’ shipments, 2012 ($1,000) are at 5,696,729,632

Total merchant wholesaler sales, 2012 ($1,000) are 5,208,023,478

Total retail sales, 2012 ($1,000) are at 4,219,821,871

Total retail sales per capita, 2012 are at $13,443

Conclusion:

The Black, African, Atlantic and Indian Ocean Islander Immigrants to USA can be mobilized, organized into socially Cohesive entities and through them be empowered to participate in activities that improve individual skills, attitude, identity, autonomy and continued desire to lead a healthy happy life in USA. You are welcome to use this tool to empower immigrants in USA.

Sources:

For more on the US Population see:

https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/PST045215/00. 

For more on Heathy People 2020:

https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/social-determinants-of-health.

For more on US State Department see:

http://www.state.gov/p/af/index.htm.

For more on US Department of Defense see:

http://www.defense.gov/News/Special-Reports/0715_science-tech.

For more on Information as a resource see:

http://capita.wustl.edu/me567_informatics/concepts/infores.html.

For more on Ugandan Diaspora see:

http://www.ugandandiaspora.com/ugandan-diaspora-website-vision-and-objectives.

For more on US Department of Education Grants see:

http://www2.ed.gov/programs/triostudsupp/index.html.

For more the Federal Lifeline Program see:

http://www.lifelinesupport.org/ls/.

Anna North. 2016. The Biggest Challenges of 2016. Retrieved from: http://takingnote.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/01/06/the-biggest-challenges-of-2016/?_r=0. Retrieved on July 25th 2016. 

Christina Nuñez. 2014. The 7 biggest challenges facing refugees and immigrants in the US. Retrieved from: https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/the-7-biggest-challenges-facing-refugees-and-immig/. Retrieved on July 25th 2016.

David Mikkelson. 2011. The High(way) Sign. Retrieved from: http://www.snopes.com/autos/law/highways.asp. Retrieved on July 25th 2016. 

Forms. Retrieved from: https://www.official Website of the Department of Homeland Security/. Retrieved on July 25th 2016. 

Hoffenburger, K., Mosier, R., & Stokes, B. (1999). Transition experience. In J.H. Schuh (Ed.), Educational programming and student learning in college and university residence halls. Columbus, OH: ACUHO-I.

How to find low-cost health care in your community. Retrieved from: https://www.healthcare.gov/community-health-centers/. Retrieved on July 25th 2016. 

10 things immigrant families need to know about the Marketplace. Retrieved from: https://www.healthcare.gov/blog/10-things-immigrant-families-need-to-know-about-the-marketplace/. Retrieved on July 25th 2016. 

Exploratory Community Outreach Outcomes for African-born Immigrants in California 2016

Introduction:

Activities involved planning community health activities geared at improving understanding good nutrition practices; health seeking practices for quality healthy outcomes; conducted 208 Focus Group meetings; conducted 120 meetings with Key Informant; Local/Loci exploration of Health-related resources; generating reports.

Venues: 

Fremont, Richmond, Antioch, Moraga, San Leandro, Pittsburg, Dublin, Lafayette, Bakersfield, Berkeley, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Oakland, San Jose, Pasadena, San Bernardino, Fremont, Ventura, Glendale, Stockton, Silver Spoons-24th/Mission San Francisco; Balboa Restaurant San Francisco; Ashkenaz in Berkeley; San Leandro, Castro Valley, Richmond; Van Nuys, Vacaville, Santa Rosa, Antioch, San Rafael; Berkeley, Oakland; San Jose; Nigerian/Ghanaian/Sierra Leonean/Gambian Communities; Lutheran Church in Oakland;universal Unitarian Church SF; Islamic Mosques in Oakland and Berkeley. 

Numbers reached:

Adults: 8,000

Children (9-21 years): 1,250

Households visited: 350

Challenges:

Small community organizing among African-born immigrants in USA has its challenges;

i). Africa-born immigrants live in community settings where pioneer peers settled first. Through peer-to-peer networks can one generate consensus and motivation for many to participate in meetings or community activities such health seeking activities. Examples of peer-to-peer networks range from: ethnicity-based groups; gender-based groups; trauma support based-groups; faith-based groups; place of origin-based groups; year of arrival-based groups; job specification-based groups; and abilities-based groups (sports, recreation, music, dance and drama). These are all social matrices in which African-born immigrants identify and socialize. It requires dedicated time to engage, create rapport and develop a working relation with African-born immigrants. It requires a funded organization to lead this kind of work.

ii). Africa-born immigrants live in different cities. Whereas it is possible to meet with them through peer-to-peer networks, one has to have reliable transportation as well as means of abode such as a hotel which can also act as a meeting venue.

iii). A common admission among many African-born immigrants is: perception that health seeking as a practice is alien to them. There are two entwined beliefs; the tendency of invincibility and inability to link behaviors to vulnerability and risks.

iv). Subsistence is an important aspect to livelihood. Work is a major source of income or resources. However, some Africa-born immigrants have disabilities and traumatic pasts. Many have not sought professional support. This has led to some instabilities, substance-abuse and homelessness. 

v). Africa-born immigrants have not positioned themselves as full beneficiaries of services in USA. The 8 D’s is a simple range of themes under which organization can be analyzed and they are: Dance themes, drama themes, dress, dialogue themes, dietary themes, disease coping themes, documentation/Civic Duty themes, development themes.

Solutions:

i). Africa-born immigrants live in community settings where pioneer peers settled first.It requires dedicated time to engage, create rapport and develop a working relation with African-born immigrants. It requires a funded organization to lead this kind of work.

ii). Africa-born immigrants live in different cities. Reliable transportation as well as means of abode such as a hotel which can also act as a meeting venue.

iii).  The tendency of invincibility and inability to link behaviors to vulnerability and risks requires planned community interventions by use of peers; testimony giving; providing resources in form of culturally and linguistically appropriate education materials.

iv). Seeking mental and health professional support and interventions helps improve one’s adjustment skills in society.

v). Africa-born immigrants need to position themselves as full beneficiaries of services in USA. The 8 D’s is a simple range of themes under which organization can be analyzed and they are: Dance themes, drama themes, dress, dialogue themes, dietary themes, disease coping themes, documentation/Civic Duty themes, development themes. These can be used to access logistical support from different service provision points.

Conclusion:

Support groups among African-born immigrants is an opportunity to engage in practices that improve on their health seeking practices and general quality of health.

Support funds received from January-August 2016:

1. Tom Rogers Muyunga-Mukasa   $1,800.00

2. Moses Kiyemba                          $  100.00

3. Borbor Goma                              $    50.00

4. Anna L.                                       $     20.00

Total                                                $ 1,970.00

Report

Supporting African-born immigrants to organize into small viable health communities is one way of ensuring they engage in health seeking practices. We at BayHeal, continue using volunteers to do outreach services and hopefully, we shall soon have facilitation to make this a formal activity.

We thank all of you for the support. We also thank the following for providing funds that helped to make this possible since January 2016.

Support funds received from January 2016:

1. Tom Rogers Muyunga-Mukasa           $1,800.00

2. Borbor Goma                                       $     50.00

3. Anna L.                                                $     20.00

Total                                                         $1,870.00


Activities:

1. February 2014

Compiling and Mapping a list of venues and events where Africans in the Bay Area live and socialize.

familiarizing excursion around the Bay Area first and last Sunday of the month.

Making a list of Universities, Education Institutes, Colleges and Schools where Africans go to.

The idea of Bay Area Healthy Living and Communication Support as a distinct health information, education, communication, equity and disparity stop gapping organization. Not to replace or replicate what "other civil rights" organizations are doing. This is an "essential" commodity/ consumer services organization.

Designed an inception note.

Designed a yearly strategic volunteer plan to meet and greet Americans and Africans.

2. March 2014

Field excursion to generate health needs for Africans following the Ebola Epidemic in Africa.

Borrowed $ 1,900 from Mr. Selwyn Jones to help me meet the expenses of meeting and talking to Africans in the Bay Area.

Joined the UCSF/ACTG/CAB as a volunteer.

3. April 2014

Purchase a Toshiba laptop to use during research and note taking in the field.

Purchase a mobile Phone to provide communication link with various respondents.

Continuing with the research work.

4. May 2014-September 2014

Travel to meet Africans in the Bay Area ( Richmond, Dublin-Pleasanton, Millbrae, San Jose..).

Compare experiences with San Rafael, Oakland, Daly City and San Francisco.

Ebola Epidemic continues to affect the way Africans socialize and work.

Volunteer with African Advocacy Network as a health Strategist.

Press conference and awareness raising on impact of Discrimination, Ebola and need to engage 

Africans and Americans in conversation/dialogue to address misconceptions.

A draft of the Bay Area Healthy Living Support and Communication Platform ready.

Literature review on immigration health in USA and California.

Drafted and disseminated Key Informant Guide questions among Africans living in Bay Area.

Work on a social calendar that lists places and social events in which Africans are seen in large numbers continues.

A template for Universal Social and Cultural Events for Africans in the Bay Area emerges. (USEs/UCEs). This can be used as a mobilization tool.

5. October 2014-June 2015

Designing a front loader organization, easily managed that will not be bogged down by rhetoric and no action once we start implementing.

Identifying African originated  viable Community based Social Organizations or Venues ( E.g. Angola/Mozambique singing group that meets at Silver Spoons-24th/Mission; Balboa Restaurant; Ashkenaz in Berkeley; Kenyan Community Harambee in San Leandro, Castro Valley, Richmond; Ugandan Community in Antioch, San Rafael; Berkeley, Oakland;  Zimbabwean Community in San Jose; Nigerian/Ghanaian/Sierra Leonean/Gambian Communities; Tanzanian Communities meeting at the Lutheran Church in Oakland; the Islamic Mosques as meeting places for various Africans & Sports/Recreation/Music/Dance/Drama as a galvanizing entity for Africans especially Eritreans, Somali and Ethiopians; using Radio and Facebook by Ugandans, Kenyans, Nigerians, Sudanese and South Sudanese).

Identifying and scouting for Board of Directors to report to and help galvanize leadership to results as well as value for money outputs.

Interacted with, asked the support, help, or guidance of: Professor Annie Luetkemeyer, Dr. Paul Volberding, Dr. Hiroyu Hatano, Paul Klees, Jack Beck, Austin Padilla, Goma Bobo, Samuel Mwangi, Dr. Kiapi Sandra, Dan Katende, Githongo Watua, Derrick Mapp, Jay, Mike Ochieng, Bhamira Augustine, Vasco Da-Gama, Lopez M. and other eminent persons.

Registered as not-for-profit (CORP ID: 3790333).

Plan to have bank account.

Share June 2015-May 2016 Strategic Plan( office Space, Key/Resource Tool, Training African Leaders & engaging service providers.

Fundraise

Resource mobilization

Received our Tax ID/EIN: 47-4266549.

6. July 2015-June 2016

Continued lobbying, community events, navigation work and Identifying African originated  viable Community based Social Organizations or Venues ( E.g. Angola/Mozambique singing group that meets at Silver Spoons-24th/Mission; Balboa Restaurant; Ashkenaz in Berkeley; Kenyan Community Harambee in San Leandro, Castro Valley, Richmond; Ugandan Community in Antioch, San Rafael; Berkeley, Oakland;  Zimbabwean Community in San Jose; Nigerian/Ghanaian/Sierra Leonean/Gambian Communities; Tanzanian Communities meeting at the Lutheran Church in Oakland; the Islamic Mosques as meeting places for various Africans & Sports/Recreation/Music/Dance/Drama as a galvanizing entity for Africans especially Eritreans, Somali and Ethiopians; using Radio and Facebook by Ugandans, Kenyans, Nigerians, Sudanese and South Sudanese). Identifying and scouting for Board of Directors to report to and help galvanize leadership to results as well as value for money outputs.

Continued interacting with: Katie Hale, Toby Childs, Austin Padilla, African Empowered Communitie-USA, Professor Annie Luetkemeyer, Dr. Paul Volberding, Dr. Hiroyu Hatano, Paul Klees, Jack Beck, Austin Padilla, Goma Bobo, Samuel Mwangi, Dr. Kiapi Sandra, Dr. JB Ssentongo, Mr. Luwalagga Denis, Dan Katende, Githongo Watua, Derrick Mapp, Jay, Mike Ochieng, Bhamira Augustine, Vasco Da-Gama, Lopez M. and other eminent persons.

Engaged in further  exploratory and movement building activities in: Fremont, Richmond, Antioch, Moraga, San Leandro, Pittsburg, Dublin, Lafayette, Bakersfield, Berkeley, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Oakland, San Jose, Pasadena, San Bernardino, Fremont, Ventura, Glendale and Stockton.  Activities involved cursory: Focus Group/Key Informant meetings; Ground zero exploration of Health-related resources; generating a  inception report to be used for generating funding proposals.

Completed all eligibility criteria for Federal government funding. Opened up a US bank organizational bank account. 

Generating grant seeking proposals.

We have engaged in 300 community events since 2013. The community events were: environmental health-related; endocrine-disease related campaigns; social justice related campaigns; civic duty related campaigns; community clean up campaigns; safe needle distribution; senior citizen care campaigns; substance use awareness campaigns; HIV testing; Physical activity campaigns; community food distribution and many others. 

Thank you so much!

Anti-Black or White Supremacy:the archeology behind all this. An essay

Do not bother dismantling anti-Black or white supremacy. Rather establish opportunities for general human supremacy. Black and white color markers for right and wrong or fair and ugly is part of a heritage carried over from Europe. Powerful far impacting infrastructure, has been in place for many years to elevate white and burnish black. Don't waste time in "fighting" differentness. Rather embrace it. Embrace diversity.

Black and white is a dichotomy so steeped into the deliberations that took place at Nicene a long time ago or to a time before that. It will be like asking a repainting of God Almighty (White) and the Lucifer (Black) into other colors. 

Queen Elizabeth (I) presided over a long, relatively stable and prosperous reign for 44 years. The Elizabethan era is named for her (Woody Harrelson). She expelled ‘negars and blackamoors' from Britain in 1601. Color plays an important part in the book The White Devil (Color Symbolism). Towards the end of the play, when the action moves towards the final murders, black is used more frequently to accentuate the atmosphere of evil and despair:

Francisco talks of Brachiano’s imminent death:

‘Now to the barriers.

This shall his passage to the black lake further,'

(Act 5 scene 2)

The words of a very old nursery rhyme extracted from colorism by Nadra Kareen Nittle, go as follows:

“if you’re black, stay black;

If you are brown, stick around;

If you’re yellow, you’re mellow;

If you’re white, you’re all right.

The impact of religious beliefs upon the reading of colors cannot be separated from historical influences, as world events like the crusades and colonization went hand in hand with the spread of missionaries. Symbolism associated with light and darkness was probably derived from esoteric tradition—astrology, alchemy, Gnosticism and forms of Manichaeism. In the fifth century C.E., black became the color of the devil and demons (Nederveen Pieterse, 1992).

There is a tendency of patronizing instead of actually taking time to hear other people's stories.  A side (courts and police) dismisses the complaints of mistreatment of another as if the complaints never occurred.  Police, government, media and schools – all with histories of overt racism, brutality, and segregation – continue to operate behind mythologies of urban danger and destruction that lead to veiled policies of discrimination locally (Robert E. Gutsche, 2012). One side preaches religions whose theology continues to paint black as fallen and white as angelic. People still think the mark of sophistication is to be street-wise or driving a car and primitivity is to be laughed at. We miss the story of the one who is said to be "primitive." One may not be street-wise but that does not mean they lack a certain sophistication which enables them to actualize in a familiar environment.

I would encourage an alternative called human supremacy for those who genuinely want to build firm bridges. It delineates its objectives and does not encourage ambivalence.  This is no smiling discrimination or 'now you see it, now you don't' aspect. Exclusionary discrimination written in a code only white people know is meant to perpetuate classicism and racism (Eduardo Bonilla-Silva, 2006). The examples of coded language embodied in the World Bank and IMF deliberately keeps say, African countries subscribing to what are termed development programs. Africa up to now only has one kind of Cape Town or Johannesburg and those cities cannot be replicated in 10's or 20’s. White people talk of their European heritage with pride. Many US-born Black Americans can not counter misinformation about Africa (sensationalized by mainstream media). The news about Africa goes on and on about how it is riddled with wars, a desolate place with poverty every where. Many do not question whatsitsname media house’s legitimacy of such news.  Chained by fear and lack of economic wherewithal to travel keeps blacks in their small communities. Worse, Diaspora black African-born immigrants who would have demystified given angles of the news are busy earning what they need to use to pay for subsistence. No room for conversation. Meanwhile. white people can afford to visit Oslo, Copenhagen, Athens, Rome, Florence, Stuttgart, Moscow and Edinburgh or wherever they feel they have roots frequently.

Human supremacy addresses economic, social, intellectual, cultural and technological empowerment. These are the true tools used to break barriers that stoke wistfulness and inequality. All races have places they call holiday destinations or ancestral destinations. Arabs have many places in Africa and Arabian peninsula. Asians have many in the different Asian countries. South America has very beautiful well maintained destinations. To change the image of who a black human being is will require making alliances. Likely alliances will be made with cultures that are emerging from countries such as the BRICS to bring about this. Perhaps instead of racism we proactively engage in developmentism, empowerment and emancipation. We need to start narratives where support, empowerment, building thriving communities and things that work are chronicled.

We should teach people to chronicle the things they do better, inventorying reward systems and celebrating accomplishments are aspects that need to be introduced to all communities. Mental/intellectual, social, physical and cultural preparation builds a critical mass of people who can be trained to be self sufficient. Skills are a leveler as far as race relations go. Skills promote interpersonal relations at intra and inter race levels.

To lead a quality life, we need to have good roads, good doctors, good police, job security for all employed people, good schools and we have to be able to treat our mother Earth with conscientious regard. We need to maintain the schools, our communities and empower as many people to do so. Knowing this and preparing as many black, whites, Asians, Latinos and Native Americans as possible is what matters. We need to have ladders put into wells to get those at bottom to the top. We need each other but we need to be well prepared and skilled to be marketable as well.

Free speech allows derogative language to sip through well censored platforms. Privacy too allows bigotry and subtle separatism to continue. But, we cherish free speech, privacy and sustainable communities.  If we are to uphold privacy, we need to empower as many people to enjoy their private homes. Free speech, privacy have a third sister who is sustainable communities. People who are empowered will be able to live in sustainable and thriving communities. 

After 5, 10, 70, 80, 90, 100 years we shall be dead. We need to lead productive lives and not be bogged down by a naughtiness to always load it over those who are different from us.

References:

                  Color symbolism. Retrieved from: http://crossref-it.info/textguide/the-white-devil/32/2243. Retrieved on July 2016.

Eduardo Bonilla-Silva. 2006. Racism without Racists. Rowman  & Littlefield Publishers Inc.

Nadra Kareem Nittle. Race Relations Expert. Retrieved from: http://racerelations.about.com/bio/Nadra-Kareem-Nittle-60956.htm. Retrieved on July 20th 2016.

Nederveen Pieterse 1992 Jan Nederveen Pieterse. White on Black: Images of Africa and Blacks in Western Popular Culture. New Haven: Yale University Press.

Woody Harrelson. Queen Elizabeth I: Biography. Retrieved from: http://www.biography.com/people/queen-elizabeth-i-9286133. Retrieved on July 22nd 2016.

Robert E. Gutsche. 2012. “This Ain’t the Ghetto”: Diaspora, Discourse, and Dealing with “Iowa Nice.” Retrieved from: http://ir.uiowa.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1140&context=poroi. Retrieved on July 20th 2016.