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Reimagine self-care with Tamela J. Gordon’s Hood Wellness

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In recent years, it appears that evidently wellness or “self-care” has made its way into everyone’s personal “Top 5” list. From superficial practices like manicures, facials and massages to healthy practices like clean eating, exercise and therapy, wellness routines have taken over the streets of social media. Nevertheless, while the seemingly collective prioritization of self-care has encouraged more people to give attention to themselves, for a lot of this trend stays an aspirational lifestyle.

The reality is that popular wellbeing advice shouldn’t be all the time available, especially for people living outside a certain tax bracket. Does this mean that self-care is reserved for certain socioeconomic groups?

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For writer Tamela J. Gordon, the reply isn’t any. In his upcoming book “Hood Wellness: Stories of Social Welfare from People Who Drowned on Dry Land,” Gordon offers a brand new perspective on well-being that’s grounded in inclusive, free and low-cost self-care practices and, most significantly, the ability of community.

As a longtime advocate of self-care, Gordon has participated in several popular health trends, similar to hot yoga. Still craving something more, the writer quickly realized that trendy, IG-ready wellness classes weren’t enough.

“I used to be comfortable about it, but I used to be absolutely miserable. That’s when I spotted that what I believed was the reality about well-being wasn’t actually true in any respect,” she explained. “I desired to go to therapy and do what I call ‘nasty treatment’.”

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After years of counting on self-care and wellness to beat poverty, addiction and dissatisfaction, Gordon admitted her struggles and asked for help to combat them. With the assistance of her community, the New York native moved to Florida, where she was not only in a position to get the assistance she needed to heal physically and mentally, but additionally hosted a three-day retreat in her home for people searching for inexpensive mental health support.

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Completely changing her views on wellness and community healing, Gordon’s experience revealed the ability that may be present in community. As a queer black woman, she was particularly inquisitive about the ways through which healing presented itself in marginalized communities. While the term “hood wellness” partially refers to her own budget-friendly approach to self-care, Gordon explains that “hood” means greater than just socioeconomic status.

“The cladding is really multi-functional in the sense that it literally (represents) my location. Where I live has a lot to do with my ability to take care of myself…the hood plays a role in my safety, comfort, convenience and so on,” she said. “So housing will always be a topic of discussion (that comes up), but so does the concept of hood in its social meaning.”

Going beyond the inner-city connotations often associated with the word “hood,” Gordon’s philosophy emphasizes the community that may be present in neighborhoods

“In every center I have ever been to, there are always people who become sources of information and resources. “Whether you’re trying to cash in on food stamps or you want to know which bus goes to which building, there’s always someone in that building or on that block or in that neighborhood who (offers a little guidance),” Gordon explained, adding, “that’s what this is how the hood becomes unique.”

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Understanding the nuances of the Black experience, the Kirkus Star-winning book features stories from other authors about their very own journeys to physical and mental well-being, showing how well-being practices can impact a person’s relationship with their body, identity and rights. From terminal illness and police violence to accepting gender identity in a society that consistently undermines and attacks the rights of trans and queer people, each story reflects the present political, racial and gender climate in America while difficult similarly oppressive systems deeply rooted within the health and wellness industry. well-being.

“As their stories unfold, we see that some voices are being underestimated because of their intersectionality, which impacts not only the community but also the individual,” Gordon said, highlighting the contributions of activists like Claudette Colvin and Tarana Burke to the book. “That’s how wellness tends to intersect and really impact us based on our identities, our communities, and how much (we) have to actually fight for (our) rights.”

Importantly, Gordon clearly states that Hood Wellness shouldn’t be a guide to well-being. Describing herself as “an explorer who takes good notes” reasonably than an authority, the writer hopes that her and other authors’ health research will encourage readers to explore what the concept of self-care and well-being might appear like for them.

“My well-being is a hood; my mood is ugly. I like candles and bubbles and all that shit. But I also like the unique information that (I can) only get from home… from the community,” Gordon explained. “I want people to know that Hood Wellness is truly an experience. That’s funny. This makes you think. It’s emotions on both sides. I think people will be truly surprised at how inspired and entertained they will walk away.”

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This article was originally published on : thegrio.com

Lifestyle

Mother’s black health crisis is not just the responsibility of black women

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When Erica Chidi launched the Krosno reproductive health platform in 2017, was geared toward remedying the growing Luce in knowledge about reproductive health and strengthening the position of other knowledge.

He also arrived at a time when many were awakening to reality, which because of many system reasons, including access to healthcare and reproductive health education, black women are three to 4 times more likely than their white counterparts because of the reasons related to childbirth.

Now, almost ten years later, after organizations akin to Fund began, and more people know Dulas, Chidi sees progress, but admits that there is still loads to be done. The number of black women did not move significantly despite the general decrease in moms’ mortality.

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Chidi, a health pedagogue, writer and Doula, became a strategic adviser to Perelel Health after the company acquired Krosny in 2024. One of the biggest invasions that she observed in about 15 years of being doula and work on this space is the growing awareness of black women with their resources, including douls and the middle part.

“13 years ago, no one really knew what doula was, except for a certain level of white women,” explained Doula.

She added that in the south there was also “greater awareness” because the heritage of the midwife from “Grandma Midwives” and slavery remained a bit “intact” for years.

“But generally no one really knew. So now at least everyone knows what it is. Some insurance covers it. This is a more famous amount. This is a big change,” she continued. “So I know that change is possible.”

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In addition to financing birth, through which Chidi is amongst advisers, other organizations, akin to Black Matas Matter Alliance, have also joined the conversation to develop solutions regarding the crisis. However, based solely on black women, to extend your knowledge about Dulas and reproductive health typically, he maintains the weight on them as a substitute of where it really belongs.

“Black women are amazing,” said Chidi. “We are resourceful and we can simply do it in the darkest moments and with the smallest number of resources. But this will not solve the whole problem. This must exist.”

According to Chidi, more “mixed method” would must include healthcare suppliers and the general public that increases their involvement in solving the Black Mother’s crisis.

In Virginia, where some Black Mother’s mortality rates are the highest, Virginia Union University has turn out to be the first HBCU to launch the Doula certificate program. Although technically still black women come to unravel an issue for themselves, this is an example that might be followed throughout the country.

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Chidi said that “more of this” response level is needed, noting that other institutions can offer their very own versions. In addition to funds that may help families find birth employees, there needs to be funds that may help people train to turn out to be birth employees.

“We must see the care that is in line with the actual situation in which we find ourselves,” she said. “Which means it is academic. It is at the level of practice, and then it is also social.”

Ultimately, the real solution to this problem would require everyone to be involved. Like many individuals, they walk with practical knowledge or knowledge of basic first aid or resuscitation, Chidi would really like to see the same level of consciousness with pregnancy and pregnant people.

Chidi sees it this fashion: regardless of whether an individual has children or intends: “your duty is to find out about pregnancy and postpartum.”

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Of course, everyone can’t be an authorized dulas, but understanding what some things seem like in a pregnant person is usually a difference in a deadly complication.

She said that it might be “all about re -opening the channels and sharing.”

“My best skill is to tell stories,” she continued. “It has always been this way because it makes you a good teacher. This is what you also make you really good doula. Because you really help people tell the story of your body so that other people can hear it.”

A month of mental health awareness begins with an urgent report on the mental health of the Black Mother

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This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Lil us X in the hospital says that “he lost control over the right side” of his face

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This week, rapper Lil Nas X has released an update where it was. On Monday evening, the rapper published a video to Instagram revealing that he was hospitalized.

“By the way, I practice a full smile,” says laughter. “I’m just what the hell? I can’t even laugh, brother, what the hell? Oh my God, man. So … yes.”

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While the rapper “Old Town Road” didn’t determine his diagnosis, he told the fans: “Sooo (I) lost control of the right side of my face.” After his post, fans began to wonder if the star developed Bella’s paralysis, a state that causes muscle weakness and paralysis on one side of the face. However, According to Johns Hopkins MedicineThe cause of the condition affecting the nerves of the face is unknown.

Despite the fans conspiracy, Lil NAS X continued to update his health about his stories on Instagram.

“Guys, I’m fine !! Stop being sad to me! Instead, shake your ass!” He wrote about his history in keeping with the variety. “IMMA looks funny like a bit, but that’s all.”

Similarly, today the rapper said: “It’s much better” in a movie published in his history on Instagram, explaining that he regained sensation into the mouth and performs chewing exercises to strengthen the muscle.

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This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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David E. Talbert sells memories for six characters

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The director, author, playwright and producer David E. Talbert sold his memory “Everything I know about being a man (I learned from a woman)” for six characters to Storehouse Voices, a random Punguin Publishing House. He also develops a television program with the identical title.

According to the memories of Talbert He emerged from conversations He He had together with his son, which meant that he realized that his mother, a single mother, gave him all the teachings he learned to be a person.

According to the web site, Storehouse Voices focuses on “promoting the wealth of a black story through intentional acquisition and employment of efforts, strategic partnerships and the authentic range of the community, which it is going to achieve by publishing literary and fictitious books.

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According to Storehouse, Voices was published in January 2025, Created in cooperation with the Tamira ChapmanFrom the success of the Chapman’s Women & Words program, which was launched with the support of Storehouse in a box and Penguin Random House, which was aimed toward “deisting the publishing industry and its processes” for insufficiently represented authors.

The declaration that broadcasts the imprint is: “Warehouse voices are informed by a deep understanding of the unique cultural contexts and historical black experiences in America and involved in ensuring that literary works of insufficiently represented authors are presented authentically, with respect and strongly in the entire landscape of publications and the media.”

This is thick with the final arch of Talbert’s profession, which, like Tyler Perry, began with stage arts aimed toward telling the black stories of the Black audience.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHMMRG8Gytk

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In 2024, in an interview with the Wielofenate, he said that “Jingle Jangle”, a Christmas film, who wrote and directed by which Forest Whitaker and Keegan Michael Key performed, was created due to his childhood of the sensation of excluded fantasy, because he often didn’t see black children represented within the media of his youth.

According to 2023, Talbert launched HBCU Next, a scholarship program that he founded and financed together with his wife and production partner, Lyn Sisson-Talbert, To enrich the tutorial possibilities available for beginner filmmakers in HBCUS Bringing them to the School of Cinematic Arts USC School of Cinematic Arts program.

As Talbert said on this system: “Our general goal is to support the environment for students from HBCU and the USC to get involved in cultural exchange of learning from each other, and to provide access to education conducive to providing black storytellers to the entertainment industry.”

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This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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