Black Equity Coalition (BEC)

?? Data Justice for Pittsburgh’s Black Neighborhoods! ?? We’re proud to unveil our MADE for Data Justice Pittsburgh video, part of the Data Justice for Pittsburgh's Black Neighborhoods initiative in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh. This groundbreaking project is designed to amplify decision-making power for Black residents, focusing on those most impacted by residential segregation and disinvestment. Together, we’re creating public processes and fostering community power over how data is used, governed, and shared in Pittsburgh. ??? ? Did you know? Pittsburgh is one of only four U.S. cities selected for the Modern Anti-racist Data Ecosystems (MADE) for Health Justice initiative, sponsored by the de Beaumont Foundation. The Black Equity Coalition (BEC) is leading the way in building local data ecosystems rooted in anti-racism, equity, and justice. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this possible: ?? Our incredible partners ???? The resilient Pittsburgh community ?? Special thanks to Mark Kendall and the rest of the team at CoolCoolCool Productions for creating this amazing video! ?? Watch now and join us in shaping a future where data serves everyone. Together, we’re creating a more just and equitable Pittsburgh. ?? #MADEForDataJustice #DataJustice #BlackEquityCoalition #CommunityDataJustice #CommunityGovernance #Pittsburgh #BEC #deBeaumontFoundation #DataJusticeforPittsburghsBlackNeighborhoods #TransformationalChange #LarimerConsensusGroup #NeigborhoodPowerBuilding New Pittsburgh Courier PublicSource Pittsburgh Region. Next is Now. NEXTpittsburgh TribLIVE PennLive.com Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Pittsburgh Magazine Pittsburgh City Paper WTAE Hearst Pittsburgh WPXI-TV The Forbes Funds POISE Foundation UrbanKind Institute University of Pittsburgh Carnegie Mellon University

?? March is National Kidney Month! ?? Your kidneys play a critical role in keeping you healthy—they filter waste, balance fluids, and regulate blood pressure. Yet, Black Americans are disproportionately affected by kidney disease, making awareness and prevention more important than ever. ?? Did you know? ?? 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. is at risk for kidney disease. ?? Black Americans are nearly 4 times more likely to develop kidney failure than White Americans. ?? High blood pressure and diabetes are the leading causes of kidney disease—both are preventable! ?? Early detection through routine kidney function tests can save lives. Take charge of your kidney health by knowing your risk and getting tested! Learn more here: www.kidney.org #NationalKidneyMonth #KidneyHealth #BlackHealthMatters #HealthEquity #BlackEquityCoalition National Kidney Foundation

?? Celebrating International Women’s Day: Prioritizing Women’s Health ?? On this International Women’s Day, the Black Equity Coalition (BEC) honors the resilience, strength, and brilliance of Black women everywhere. While we celebrate their contributions, we must also acknowledge the health disparities they continue to face. ?? Black women are disproportionately affected by: Maternal health risks – Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. Heart disease & hypertension – Leading causes of death, often linked to stress, lack of access to quality care, and systemic inequities. Breast & cervical cancer – Higher mortality rates due to delayed diagnosis and inadequate screenings. Mental health struggles – Anxiety, depression, and trauma often go untreated due to stigma and barriers to care. Reproductive justice issues – Limited access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare and resources. ?? Solutions & Actions for Change: ? Advocate for equitable healthcare policies that address racial disparities. ? Encourage regular screenings and preventative care to reduce mortality rates. ? Support Black women-led health organizations working to close the gaps in care. ? Promote mental health awareness and increase access to culturally competent therapy. ? Create safe spaces for Black women to share their experiences and receive support. Black women’s health is a community priority! We must uplift and protect them, ensuring they receive the care and respect they deserve. #InternationalWomensDay #BlackWomensHealth #EquityInHealth #BlackEquityCoalition #HealthJustice #BEC #CDC #HealthEquity #CDCREACH #REACH Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

For today’s Meet The Huddle installment, we’re excited to highlight and celebrate Dr. Tracey Conti! Tracey Conti MD, MBA is a proud member of The Huddle at the Black Equity Coalition (BEC) and serves as the UPMC Andrew W. Mathieson Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC. She previously served several roles in the department including Vice Chair for education and practice integration, Program Director for the UPMC McKeesport Family Medicine Residency Program and most recently Executive Vice Chair. Dr. Conti is a native of Pittsburgh and graduated from Woodland Hills Senior High School. Her journey to become a physician led her to attend the Benjamin Banneker Honors College at Prairie View A&M University in Texas where she received a B.S. in Biology.? She is a graduate of Temple University School of Medicine and completed her Family Medicine residency at the University of Maryland where she served as chief resident. Dr. Conti is fellowship trained in women’s health and faculty development.? Dr. Conti received her MBA from the University of Pittsburgh Katz School of Business. Dr. Conti returned home to serve the communities of Pittsburgh since 2001. She was the Medical Director of the Matilda Theiss Health Center in the Hill district and was the lead investigator to seek funding as a Federally Qualified Health Center status for that site. This grant brought many needed resources including social work and on-site medication dispensing to this community. The majority of Dr. Conti’s clinical care has been in the McKeesport area where she continues to practice at the Latterman Family Health Center and UPMC McKeesport hospital.? She has participated in many youth and community educational outreach programs and was a founding board member for the 9th Street free clinic where she also continues to provide care.? Dr. Conti is passionate about health equity as it was a driving force for her to pursue a medical career. She is a founding member of the Black Equity Coalition. This Pittsburgh-based coalition is a group of public health researchers, business people and elected officials working to address health equity as a way to secure better health and economic outcomes for the black community. She is a member of the Board of Directors for the UPMC Health Plan and was also selected to lead the primary care subgroup of the UPMC Board of Directors Health Equity Committee. Her clinical and advocacy interests include health disparities and healthcare delivery to underserved communities, medical education, and women’s health. She is a champion for patient empowerment through education and the development of strong patient-physician partnerships in order to optimize individual, family and community healthcare. ?Join us in celebrating Dr. Conti and her unwavering mission to create a more equitable and brighter future for all! ? #MeetTheHuddle #DrTraceyConti? #BEC #BlackEquityCoalition #Leader

?? FREE Long COVID Training for Community Health Workers on Thursday, March 13, 2025 – RSVP Today! The Black Equity Coalition (BEC) invites you to attend the IMPACCT Community Health Worker Training, a free Long COVID Training, provided by UPMC! This workshop is designed to provide essential knowledge and skills to address the challenges of Long COVID effectively. Training Details: ?? Date: Thursday, March 13, 2025 ? Time: 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM ?? Location: JADA House International 4944 2nd Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15207 ?? What You’ll Learn: ? The lasting effects of the pandemic: Long COVID is real ? How to identify Long COVID symptoms ? Educate community Members on how to talk to their PCP about their concerns with Long COVID ? Strategies and approaches for treating Long COVID ?? Light refreshments will be provided! ?? Space is limited, so RSVP today by copying/pasting: https://lnkd.in/gVkxEfqy You can also RSVP by scanning the QR code on the flyer or by clicking our Linktree in our bio. ?? If you have any additional questions? Contact Ruth Howze, BEC Community Engagement Manager, at [email protected]

?? March 4 is World Obesity Day! ?? Obesity is a growing public health crisis, disproportionately impacting Black communities due to systemic barriers to healthcare, healthy foods, and safe spaces for physical activity. Addressing obesity means addressing health equity! ?? Did you know? ?? Obesity increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. ?? Access to healthy, affordable food is key in preventing obesity, yet many Black neighborhoods lack grocery stores. ???? Regular physical activity reduces obesity risk, but many communities lack safe spaces to exercise. ?? Weight stigma can prevent people from seeking necessary healthcare. Let's work together to break barriers to good health! Learn more here: www.worldobesityday.org #WorldObesityDay #HealthEquity #BlackHealthMatters #ObesityAwareness #BlackEquityCoalition #BEC #Obesity #HealthyHabits #CDCREACH #REACH #CDC World Obesity Federation Allegheny County Health Department

??? February is National Cancer Prevention Month! ??? Cancer affects millions of lives, but early detection and prevention can make all the difference. This month, we’re raising awareness about reducing cancer risks and advocating for health equity in cancer care. ?? World Cancer Day is a day to unite in the fight against cancer and push for better access to prevention, detection, and treatment—because everyone deserves a fair chance at life. ?? Did you know? ?? Black Americans have the highest death rate of any racial/ethnic group for most cancers. ?? About 40% of cancers can be prevented with lifestyle changes. ?? Regular screenings can detect cancer early, when it’s most treatable. ?? Smoking, poor diet, and lack of exercise increase cancer risk—but small changes can help! Learn more about prevention and early detection: www.cancer.org #NationalCancerPreventionMonth #WorldCancerDay #CancerAwareness #HealthEquity #BlackEquityCoalition #CDC #CDCREACH #REACH #BEC

Black History Month Spotlight: Addressing Long COVID in Black Communities The Black Equity Coalition (BEC), in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh and the UPMC Department of Family Medicine, is tackling Long COVID head-on to ensure equitable care for Black and underserved populations. ?? Our Mission: ?? Develop culturally relevant, evidence-based care models ?? Train a diverse new generation of community providers for Long COVID ?? Expand access to primary and specialty care for underserved and rural communities Together, we are improving awareness and understanding of Long COVID, ensuring inclusive care for our communities. Check out these powerful moments from our first two training sessions we held at the Homewood Community Engagement Center (CEC) and the Hill Community Engagement Center (CEC)! ?? Please share this post to support our mission and learn more about our initiatives at: https://lnkd.in/gABWsEwC #BlackHistoryMonth #BEC #LongCOVIDCare #UPMC #TogetherWeThrive #CommunityEmpowerment #BlackExcellence #BlackEquityCoalition #LongCOVID

?? February is American Heart Month! ?? Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for Black communities, but prevention and awareness can save lives. This month, we’re raising awareness about heart health and the steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones. ?? Did you know? Black adults are more likely to experience high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke—but small lifestyle changes can make a big difference! ? Eat heart-healthy foods ???? ? Stay active ????♂?????♀? ? Manage stress ????♀????? ? Know your numbers (blood pressure, cholesterol, etc.) ?? ? Get regular check-ups ?? Learn more and take action today: www.heart.org #BlackEquityCoalition #AmericanHeartMonth #HeartHealth #StayHeartStrong #BEC American Heart Association

Do you know the difference between the Flu, RSV, COVID-19, and the Common Cold? ???? Understanding their symptoms can help you stay prepared and protect your community! ?? Flu ?? – Sudden high fever, body aches, and extreme fatigue. ?? RSV ?? – Common in young children & older adults; can cause wheezing and increased mucus. ?? COVID-19 ?? – May include loss of taste or smell, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. ?? Common Cold ?? – Usually milder, with sneezing, sore throat, and stuffy nose. ?? Since symptoms overlap, testing is the best way to confirm the illness. Stay informed, take precautions, and consult a healthcare professional when needed. ?? Learn more by visiting the following link from the National Foundation of Infectious Diseases (NFID): https://lnkd.in/gz9a3GPj #BlackEquityCoalition #Flu #COVID19 #RSV #CommonCold #StayHealthy #BEC National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID)