American Heart Association National Minority Health Month EmPOWERED to Serve™ roundtable
focuses on structural racism and mental health challenges facing women of color
DALLAS, April 13, 2021 — April is National Minority Health Month and the American Heart Association, the
leading global voluntary health organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke, will convene a
virtual nationwide panel of professionals and community advocates to address the stigma associated with
seeking help for mental health challenges which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. One in 3
adults in the U.S. reports being worried or depressed1 and more than half of U.S. adults say COVID-19 has
negatively impacted their mental well-being due to worry and stress2
. Women of color suffer
disproportionately3
.
In collaboration with the Association’s Go Red for Women® movement, EmPOWERED to Serve™ will host an
hour-long EmPOWERED Women Roundtable virtual event: Building Mental Resilience for Women of Color in
the Midst of COVID-19, on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 8 p.m. EST/7 p.m. CST/5 p.m. PST. The livestreamed
event is free and open to the public. Attendees can register at the EmPOWERED to Serve website.
The EmPOWERED to Serve platform harnesses the passion of individuals and organizations to overcome
barriers to health equity. Moderator Lorisa Bates, vice president of programming content strategy, coproductions and multiplatform at Black Entertainment Television (BET), will center the conversation around
strategies and resources to promote mental and emotional well-being, resiliency and healing among Black and
brown women.
Panelists include:
• Roslyn Holliday Moore, acting director, office of minority health (OMH), deputy director for programs
at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS);
• Ryan Mundy, former professional football player with the National Football League and founder and
CEO of Alkeme Health Co., a digital health company with a mission to become the universal healthcare
provider for the Black community;
• Brandi Pritchett-Johnson, Ph.D, clinical assistant professor and ASPIRE coordinator at University of
Florida and executive director of Future 4 Teens; and,
1
Yeli Wang, Monica Palanichamy Kala, Tazeen H. Jafar,Factors associated with psychological distress during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
pandemic on the predominantly general population: A systematic review and meta-analysis (plos.org), PLOS, (December 2020)
2
Liz Hamel, Audrey Kearney , Ashley Kirzinger , Lunna Lopes, Cailey Muñana, and Mollyann Brodie KFF Health Tracking Poll – July 2020 KFF Health
Tracking Poll – July 2020 | KFF
3
Anticipatory Racism Threat and Superwoman Schema: Elucidating the Relationship Between Racial Discrimination and Chronic Inflammation
• Arisha Smith, mom, wife, entrepreneur and social media influencer who is managing high blood
pressure due to stress caused by the pandemic.
“Acknowledging, understanding, and supporting the health and wealth of all women is paramount,” said.
Brandi Pritchett-Johnson, Ph.D. “Addressing the specific mental health needs of women of color is nothing to
question, it is our birthright. It is the nation’s greatest legacy as it is the gift that keeps on giving.”
The April event is one of four virtual EmPOWERED Women Roundtables the Association has planned as part of
its commitment to building healthier lives – mental and physical – for all. Earlier this year, the American Heart
Association announced plans to invest more than $230 million over the next four years to support targeted
initiatives and programs, while leading additional efforts to drive systemic public health change focused on
improving health equity and tackling issues of health justice and structural racism head on.
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Additional Resources
• AHA President’s Advisory: Structural racism causes poor health, premature death from heart disease
and stroke
• AHA 2024 Health Equity Impact Goal
• AHA Presidential Advisory on rural health inequities
• Voices for Healthy Kids: $2.5 million granted to 16 community organizations committed to racial health
equity
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to
ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and
powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health, and share
lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly
a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
Tiffaney D. Hunter, thunter@tiffaneydale.com, 214-775-0807 ext. 700
Kayla Tucker Adams, kadams@tiffaneydale.com, 214-775-0807 ext. 702
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
