February 27th 2024.
The "Health Is Wealth" Summit, hosted by BLACK ENTERPRISE, was a two-day event that recently took place in Atlanta on February 23rd and 24th. The main focus of the summit was to address the gaps in financial, physical, and mental health within the Black community while also promoting the creation of generational wealth. According to a study by JAMA Network, Black Americans have lost over 80 million years of life compared to White Americans over a 22-year period from 1999 to 2020.
These statistics reveal a harsh truth: Black people are not living long enough to reach their full potential and create wealth for future generations. Furthermore, if they do manage to reach old age, poor health can quickly deplete any accumulated wealth. It is with this in mind that BLACK ENTERPRISE organized the "Health Is Wealth" Summit, aiming to lead the community towards a healthier future.
During the summit, Alfred Edmond Jr., senior vice president and executive editor-at-large of BLACK ENTERPRISE, emphasized the importance of the event by stating, "You're not serious about building wealth if you're not talking about getting past 50 and being healthy." He also pointed out that the current state of Black health has a significant financial impact, as Black men have an average life expectancy of only 53 years, and Black women have a higher life expectancy but are often plagued by health issues that hinder their ability to reach their full potential.
Edmond also highlighted the connection between health and finance within Black-owned businesses, citing the example of BLACK ENTERPRISE's founder, Earl Graves Sr., who recognized this link nearly 40 years ago. "Mr. Graves understood that as a small company, we would not receive the same discounts on health insurance as larger corporations with thousands of employees. Therefore, it was crucial to keep our employees healthy to minimize the costs for both them and us," explained Edmond. He concluded by stating, "In the end, everyone benefits when we prioritize our health."
The summit kicked off with a morning workout session, demonstrating that fitness can be enjoyable and accessible to people of all skill levels. This was followed by a food-prep demonstration by Keon Davis, owner of Smooth N Groove, who shared tips for creating nutritious meals and maintaining a healthy diet.
Throughout the event, various discussions were held to promote a health and wealth mindset. Notable panels included "Health and Longevity as a Wealth-Building Strategy," moderated by Edmond, and "Recognizing and Addressing Social Determinants of Health," moderated by Ida Harris, director of digital content at BLACK ENTERPRISE. The panels delved into the financial implications of poor health and the impact of social conditions on one's well-being, such as the environment, work, healthcare, housing, and access to resources. Tashique Thomas, senior director at Walmart, highlighted the importance of seeking out existing resources to gain access to essential health services.
One of the summit's highlights was Tonya Lewis-Lee's discussion on her award-winning documentary, Aftershock, which addressed the maternal mortality crisis. Lewis-Lee shared her personal experience of motherhood and how she realized that her mental, physical, and spiritual health were crucial for her personal growth and success. "After my second child was born, I knew I needed to get my life in order to achieve my goals," she explained. "When my son was two years old, I realized I needed to prioritize my mental, physical, and spiritual well-being."
The "Health Is Wealth" Summit provided a comprehensive look into the Black community's relationship with health and the impact of wellness on creating and maintaining wealth. BLACK ENTERPRISE remains committed to keeping this conversation alive and finding solutions to improve the health and well-being of the Black community.
In related news, a health platform for Black women recently received a $40,000 funding boost for its maternal health initiative. This is a step in the right direction towards addressing the health disparities and promoting better health outcomes for Black women. BLACK ENTERPRISE continues to highlight and support initiatives that aim to improve the health and wealth of the Black community.
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