Real-World Superheroes Honored during Black History Month

Real-World Superheroes Honored during Black History Month

Feb. 1, 2023 – (Milwaukee, WI) –  The Stay Well Community Health Initiative, which brought health-related resources to Black communities across the country, honored six Black leaders and launched a Black wellness website in recognition of Black History Month. 
 
To celebrate Black health care heroes who protected and educated their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, Stay Well presented the inaugural Health Care Heroes honor on behalf of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ We Can Do This COVID-19 Public Education Campaign.

These real-world superheroes wore stethoscopes, scrubs, and even suits — not capes. The honorees included healthcare leaders, influencers, and innovators whose insights and actions saved lives.
 
They were:

• Dr. Samira Brown primary care pediatrician in Atlanta, Georgia and co-founder of Little Lives PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) 
• Dr. Nina Ford Johnson, pediatrician at Infirmary Pediatrics in Mobile, Alabama 
• Dr. Eric Griggs, chair of health and wellness for 100 Black Men of Metro New Orleans and board member of National COVID-19 Resiliency Network 
• Travis Jackson, Charlotte, North Carolina entrepreneur and founder of HBCU Pride Nation
• Russ Parr, host of the nationally syndicated “Russ Parr Morning Show”  
• Antrell Tyson, Esq., HHS regional director for Region IV 

In addition to recognizing heroes, Stay Well unveiled its health and wellness website, the Stay Well Health Hub, designed for Black communities. The website featured fresh and relevant content, ranging from COVID-19 updates to mental health resources provided by trusted messengers. 
 
The Stay Well movement was recognized by President Joe Biden, the White House, and various media outlets for its efforts to strengthen COVID-19 education and vaccine awareness in Black communities. As part of the We Can Do This COVID-19 Public Education Campaign, Stay Well pop-up events brought health-related resources to Black Americans across the country, making vaccine information and resources more accessible.   
 
The next Stay Well events took place on Feb. 24 and 25 as part of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s Basketball Tournament (CIAA) in Baltimore, Maryland. The pop-up vaccine and education booth was located at the Fan Fest celebration at the Baltimore Convention Center. Other events included the Black College Expo, hosted by the National College Resources Foundation with vaccine and education booths featured on Jan. 28 in Los Angeles and Feb. 11 in Miami.  
 
To learn more about the Black Health Care Heroes and upcoming Stay Well events, visit the Stay Well Health Hub.
 
About The Stay Well Community Health Initiative  
Stay Well events were designed to bring health-related resources to Black communities across the country. Stay Well partnered with local health agencies and community-based organizations in select cities and educated Black communities while working to make vaccine resources more accessible. These fairs featured panel discussions with local, trusted Black health care professionals on the ongoing impact of COVID-19, vaccines and emerging variants. For more information, visit staywellhealthub.com.