The State of Black Health Conference Recap

Last week, The LOOP project director Dr. Valerie Yerger along with The LOOPmarketing specialist, Michelle Connley-Gore, attended the State of Black Health Conference in Charlotte, NC. The conference is hosted by the Center for Black Health and Equity which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary.

Many tobacco control and health equity advocates from California and across the nation attended to share and learn. This conference, which also touched upon a number of topics including HIV, child and maternal health, and funding sustainability, was inspiring, informative and focused on collaborating to improve health outcomes and find solutions for social and economic injustices that affect Black communities everywhere.

The Menthol Academy, which took place the day before the conference, was equally invigorating, as it focused on the harmful effects that menthol has had on the Black community and how to educate others about it, to ultimately advocate for policies to eliminate the sale of menthol cigarettes and other flavored tobacco products.

Carol McGruder, project director of AMPLIFY! and founding member/co-chair of AATCLC (African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council) along with Dr. Yerger, also spoke at the conference and is pictured above.