Engaging Black/African Americans Working Group
The Engaging Black/African American Working Group is one of six (6) working groups in the RADx-UP program tackling specific topics and challenges that may commonly occur among similar populations across the country.
This working group brings together RADx-UP projects and community partners engaging Black and African American populations. Its goals are to highlight the efforts of healthcare professionals (especially Community Health Workers) and share and discuss best practices to support preventative care among predominantly Black populations. The Working Group facilitates presentations and shares resources to support shared knowledge and networking between working group members.
Sign Up
If you are a RADx-UP project team member or a community partner, select below to join the Engaging Black/African Americans Working Group. Monthly meetings are scheduled every fourth Wednesday of the month.
Working Group Presentations
Developed Resources
Diverse Communities Require Diversity in Messaging
Advocating for Racial Equity in the US Healthcare System
CHW Presentations & Interviews
Contributed Resources
Let's Talk Shots - COVID-19 Vaccines
This tool was developed to provide information about vaccines, and uses video from health professionals and community members talking about their experiences and providing facts.
Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science
The Alda Method helps researchers pay close attention to their message and how others are responding to it.
Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement
A coalition of inter-faith congregations that have implemented comprehensive programs to increase understanding and access to health care, and more.
Partners for Advancing Health Equity Resource Library
The Partners for Advancing Health Equity Resource Library is a virtual portal containing action-oriented health equity research, practice, and policies.
New Bethel Church Community Development Corp.
New Bethel Church (NBC) is a community- and faith-based organization that focuses on youth development and creating events to strengthen bonds.
Communities Organizing to Promote Equity (COPE)
COPE aims to advance health equity using Local Health Equity Action Teams (LHEATs) made up of members who represent and serve the Kansans communities.
Center for Black Health and Equity Resources
The Center engages health care organizations, public health officials, faith leaders, and African American communities in health promotion and disease prevention work.
The Community Engagement Alliance Consultative Resource (CEACR)
CEACR was established to elevate best practices throughout the Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL) and provide customized expertise to optimize inclusive participation across the research ecosystem.
City of Chicago Health Alert Network
The City of Chicago Health Alert Network (HAN) sends alerts of the latest public health news and updates. The aim is for relevant news and helpful news.
Group Chairs
Magdalene Wellman, MPH, CHES
Magdalene Wellman is a certified health education specialist whose career in health has evolved throughout various sectors of healthcare. Magdalene has partnered with health systems, government entities, corporations, and individuals at multiple levels. Her work has focused on patient-centered, evidence-based health communication and the role it plays in improved outcomes. This includes personalized approaches that acknowledge social determinants and other factors when identifying best practices.
Magdalene began her career in the pharmaceutical industry, first in sales and later in patient engagement and advocacy. Her work with community and managed care organizations helped expand the reach of newly piloted patient advocacy programs and improve long-term health outcomes for people living with chronic conditions. Additionally, she has worked at the university level to help bridge the gap between research and its application in the real world.
Magdalene earned a BS in Psychology from The University of Alabama and a MPH, with a focus in Health Behavior, from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Ian Knight, MA
Ian Knight received his master's in communications at Wichita State University in Wichita, KS. Where he also taught public speaking for two years. Knight joined Sonora Quest Laboratories (SQL) in Phoenix, Arizona, as a data solutions analyst for the Innovation Center of Excellence. Before joining SQL, Knight worked as a project manager at Kansas University Medical Center, where he led creative communication strategies and content to support county-related health initiatives. Knight also runs a health coaching and consultation service where he works privately with health clubs, cancer treatment centers, clinics, and other health-related entities to drive data and marketing efforts.
Past Group Chairs
Al Richmond, MSW
Al Richmond, MSW, Executive Director of Community-Campus Partnerships for Health (CCPH), is a global thought leader advocating for the increased role of communities in health research and public health. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic Al is leading multiple CCPH partnerships that center community engagement. In addition, Al provides leadership to multiple academic research projects. Al’s leadership interest seeks to deepen CCPH’s focus in emerging issues impacting our nation including: education, immigration, diversity and culture. His interest in research ethics and its influence on community engagement was broaden through a 2016 fellowship at the Brocher Foundation in Geneva, Switzerland. The Residency program resulted in the creation of guidelines for the conduct of community engaged research (CEnR).
He holds a Master of Social Work from The Ohio State University and is a proud graduate of Livingstone College, one of 10 HBCUs in North Carolina. Al is a certified facilitator for the Poverty Simulation, Intercultural Developmental Inventory and ToP Facilitation Methods. His passion to cultivate and support leaders led him to obtain certification as a business coach through the International Coach Federation. Al envisions using the certification to increase access to coaching services in diverse communities.
Grants
Upcoming opportunities to apply for funding.
Resources
Explore our library of resources for researchers and the general public.
Publications
Explore our dashboard of recent RADx-UP scholarship.