By Cheryl Smith
Publisher
My heart has been going through some things, especially in the past six months. Sure over the years there have been the heartaches, the joyful moments, the pain of losses, and the feeling when everything seems to fall into place. This little heart of mine has definitely been tested and as I reflect on the special people who are and were part of my life, I can’t help but think about those who have passed on. When I do I can’t speak. All I can do is release a heavy sigh. Then, something like COVID-19 hits and really turns my world upside down; making me long even more for those I’ve lost. The social distancing, the changes in lifestyle, the many losses; heavy sigh. I wondered if my heart could stand anything else.
Which brings me to my truth.
Admittedly, I am late, but I am all in for the Black Heart Association (BHA). Founded in 2016 by Tara Robinson, BHA promotes “healthy hearts by advocating for people of color, primarily in underserved communities where there is little or no access to health care.” So I am joining with the BHA as they launch National Little Black Dress Day with an online event “so that women from all over could wear black to save a life rather than mourn one.” Tara, who is the CEO & Founder, of Heart 2 Heart Story, wants to educate us and help us to prevent heart disease. She knows we have to make lifestyle changes, reduce stress, possibly change our diets, and more. She knows what can happen if we don’t do better, because she suffered three heart attacks in one week! As she dealt with her health issues, she and her husband founded BHA to help others. Today, we’re being challenged like never before.
And yes, I know that every month is a pandemic month for Black people and every day we are faced with challenges. So get ready, on September 1, and do a number of things: put on that little black dress, log on to www.blackheartassociation.org and read up on Ms. Robinson, BHA and what you can do to “combat poor heart health in the African American community” and make a donation if you can. When anyone is working to make this world a better place, they deserve our support.
WHAT: Black Heart Association Little Black Dress Day
WHO: Black Heart Association
WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, All Day
WHERE: Worldwide on all social media platforms.
WHY: African Americans are disproportionately impacted by heart disease. The mission of the Black Heart Association is to create temporal change (treatment) and tangible long-lasting change (prevention) that magnifies the root of the problem. We all know what is at the root, we also know that there are things we can do, like eat healthy foods, exercise, smile, laugh out loud, dance, drink plenty of water, stay away from hormone-induced foods, embrace your natural being, meditate, bowl, walk, read, pray and VOTE! Okay, those are from me, not Tara, but Tara and I are on the same team and we have work to do! Thanks, Tara, for leading the way!
