Health, Hope, ?? Hip-Hop Foundation

?? Introducing the Health, Hope & Hip-Hop Foundation's latest initiative: the Hip Hope Service Announcement (HHSA)! ?? Our inaugural release, "Life As An Advocate," is a powerful hip-hop track that highlights the journey of a patient health advocate. With authentic, real talk and melodic rhythms, this track tells the story of resilience, hope, and the impact of advocacy in the face of health challenges. At the Health, Hope & Hip-Hop Foundation, we are on a mission to close the healthcare disparity gap and inspire healthier futures for Black Americans. By blending health education with the cultural influence of hip-hop, we’re breaking down barriers and empowering communities to take charge of their health. "Life As An Advocate" is more than a song—it's a call to action. It challenges us to reflect on the importance of advocating for ourselves and others in navigating healthcare systems. Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, or supporter, this track is for you. ? Join the movement! ? Listen to the track, share it with your community, and let us know in the comments: What do you advocate for? Together, we can spark meaningful change and uplift those in need. Let’s make health, hope, and hip-hop a force for good! ?? Stream the track, follow us for updates, and join the conversation today. Inspired by my recent participation at Pfizer's 2nd Annual Patient Centric Steering Committee Meetings and the International Myeloma Foundation's 6th Annual M-Power Council held recently. #HealthHopeHipHop #LifeAsAnAdvocate #HHSA #AdvocacyMatters #JoinTheMovement Chris Boshoff, MD, PhD, FMedSci Suneet Varma Tina Deignan Emma Andrews Marianne Gandee Robert Ruckman Katrina Johnson Holly B. Carol Kelly Jonelle Flowers Neha Londono Tom Butina Daneen Sekoni Kristin Manzolillo Nikki Thomas Sylvia Dsouza, MPA Joseph Mikhael Yelak Biru, MSc Angela Valentine Sue Mumma Dingle Jamie Shamekka Marty PMP, CSM Dr. Rob Winn

Spotlight on AACC Member Oya Gilbert: Transforming Health Literacy through Hip-Hop AACC Member Spotlight: Oya G. Founder and CEO of the Health, Hope, ?? Hip-Hop Foundation, is driving change in health literacy and addressing critical Black health disparities at the grassroots level. Through his foundation, Oya merges health education with hip-hop culture, creating an accessible platform for underserved communities to engage in health advocacy and improve health outcomes. His lived experience with multiple myeloma—a cancer disproportionately affecting Black individuals—fuels his commitment to transforming health education. Join us in supporting leaders like Oya who are making a tangible difference. Support Black-owned businesses and institutions by joining or renewing your membership with the African American Chamber of Commerce for PA, NJ & DE. Together, we drive change and create lasting impact. #ImpactInAction #HealthAdvocacy #CommunityImpact #EmpoweringChange #AACCLeadership

Arrival time to Pfizer’s HQ was 8am and as you can see, we have a squad of advocates with a seat at the table…more to come #stoptalkingdosomthing

What a way to kick off the end-of-year celebration for the advocacy steering committees! The view from the 66th floor of Pfizer’s new HQ at Hudson Yards was stunning. Susan Hensley hosted the event, where representatives from different disease groups gathered under one roof. Each committee had the opportunity to share something that moved them over the past year. Marianne Gandee spoke on the growth of this program that started in 2017 with just lung cancer to now 9 disease specific committees!!!???????? I want to give a special shout-out to Pfizer’s behind-the-scenes logistical team—see what I did there? They truly exemplified the principle of "the patient comes first" by creating a dedicated team to ensure that all advocates could travel smoothly to collaborate safely and effectively. Getting into Pfizer is almost like gaining access to the Pentagon, but this year, they thought of everything. Advocates were kept in the same location, and all credentials were prepared and ready in the hotel lobby—no need for Uber rides. We had executive shuttles instead. In a world where pharmaceutical companies often receive criticism, I want to make sure to highlight when they do good.

Just touch down in NYC and headed to the hotel. It’s always great to be back in NY and I’m looking forward to attending Pfizer’s EOY Advocacy celebration! Stay tuned, more to come ??? Pfizer Robert Ruckman Patti Jewell Marianne Gandee

The Golden Era of hip-hop, spanning the late 1980s to the mid-1990s, represents a transformative period in music and culture. Characterized by lyrical innovation, diverse production styles, and a strong sense of social consciousness. It was a time when hip-hop became a powerful voice for marginalized communities, addressing issues of identity, inequality, and resilience. The fusion of jazz, funk, and soul in production laid the groundwork for a sound that was both rich and revolutionary. As we reflect on this pivotal moment, we recognize the Golden Era not just as a timeline, but as a cultural movement that reshaped music, art, and society, influencing generations to come. Its essence lies in the celebration of authenticity, creativity, and the relentless pursuit of truth, resonating far beyond the beats and rhymes of the time.

Since getting back from the incredible Health eMatters conference, I can’t stop thinking about the amazing experiences and connections I made! With that in mind, it’s hard to believe that it was a year ago in January when I first attended the Escape to Thrive 2024 conference hosted by Bag It Cancer Support in Tucson, AZ. While at the conference, I had the privilege of meeting people from across the US and one fantastic Canadian ????, Michelle MJ! Welp, while in Toronto at the Health eMatters conference, guess who slid through? Michelle!!!! I enjoyed chilaxing with you and great vibes, Chel! Thanks for taking the time out of your life to chill with ya boy! ???????? Michelle Audoin

As a Myeloma advocate turning activist, attending the 4th Annual Health eMatters Conference in Toronto was truly a refreshing and empowering experience! Meeting fellow advocates from across borders, each bringing their unique perspectives on various health challenges, reminded me of the strength in our collective voices. Listening to Tyra Langille’s moving story of overcoming oral cancer at such a young age reinforced the importance of sharing these experiences to inspire and raise awareness for early detection and advocacy. The powerful storytelling from Aviva Rubin reminded me of the impact we can make when we present our experiences authentically and compellingly, reaching audiences on a deeper level. Michelle Burleigh's insights about building a coalition during one of the breakout session was invaluable, encouraging me with knowledge to foster collaboration among diverse advocacy groups. Special shout-out to Jes Sarchett, who taught us that TikTok isn’t just for the young folks—it’s a powerful tool we can all harness to amplify our advocacy efforts! I want to show love to Michelle Oana and her incredible team for organizing this empowering event, and to Martine Elias, CEO of Myeloma Canada, for their continued support in growing this platform and making it possible for advocates like me to attend. Special thanks to the collaboration between Myeloma Canada | Myélome Canada and the International Myeloma Foundation, which made my participation possible. This conference reaffirmed my commitment to amplifying patient voices and making real change in our healthcare systems. I could go on about every single person there that impacted me but the post would be forever like the Harry Porter novel series.?? So to everyone else, know that you are ?? from that Black hip-hop brother from the ???? I pray I get invited back again! ???? #4real4real Shoutout to my peeps: Alvina Nadeem Alyssa Dickey, CHRP, B.A. (Hons.) Lisa Machado Robert Hawke Sarah DiMuro Eva Villalba, M.B.A., MSc., VBHC Green Belt Ryan Clarke Chantale B. Taryn Cornelssen Ashley Dieks Thomas Goode Harjeet Kaur Camille Leahy Tobiasz Osicki Angus Pratt Carrie Shynkaryk, MHA, BMR-PT, B.Kin. Robby Spring Zeba Tayabee, MSW, RSW Chantel Wicks Patricia Jade Celestin Michelle Audoin

?? We’re working to eliminate healthcare disparities, one city at a time. First up… Wilmington, DE, where our very own Oya Gilbert (aka Grand G) came up! The Hip Hope Ball is more than just an event—it’s our opportunity to connect with the people and businesses of Wilmington, DE, understand their needs, and find ways to work together to create real, lasting change. ???? Save the date: February 28th, 2025 and join us for a Health, Hope & Hip-Hop Foundation celebration that’s going to change the way we all think about health literacy. This isn’t your average fundraiser—we’re tapping into the power of hip-hop music and culture to uplift Black and Brown communities and ensure they receive the quality healthcare they deserve. ???? But this is just the beginning. The Hip Hope Ball is the kickoff to something even bigger. Next up? A Health, Hope & Hip-Hop Block Party coming to Wilmington, DE this spring—and trust us, it’s going to be LIT! ?? Don’t miss out on being part of this powerful movement from day one. Join us for a fundraiser that will ignite the change to save lives. More details to come! RSVP at: https://lnkd.in/eeRWXWHh #HipHopeBall #HealthHopeHipHop #HealthcareForAll #HealthEquity #WilmingtonDE #CommunityEmpowerment #SaveTheDate

We are excited to announce that Sue Mumma, New Business Development Manager at PA Media Group, has joined the Board of Directors of the Health, Hope & Hip-Hop Foundation. Sue's decades-long experience in business development and her passion for connecting people align seamlessly with our mission to reduce healthcare disparities, especially in underserved communities. ? At PA Media Group, Sue has been a driving force in fostering long-term, strategic relationships with key organizations, consistently bringing in new business through sponsorships and creative events. Her ability to form deep, meaningful partnerships will be critical as the foundation continues to build relationships with sponsors and donors, which are vital to expanding our impact. ? Sue's leadership extends beyond business, as she has been recognized for her charitable efforts, including being named Woman of the Year by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She currently serves on multiple boards, and her commitment to social equality and community outreach directly complements the foundation's work of ensuring equitable healthcare access for all. ? Sue has been a connector and a supporter since the early days at the Health, Hope & Hip-Hop Foundation. Her influence and passion for helping others are evident in her work, and we’re thrilled to officially have her on board. ? With Sue’s expertise, we look forward to taking our foundation to new heights, expanding our reach, and creating more opportunities for healing and hope in communities across the country. Sue Mumma, Dr. Rob Winn, Dingle Jamie, Robert Ruckman, Angela Valentine, Amy Katzenberg