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Sikhona Black Men Talk: The Conversation About Health
Sikhona Black Men Talk (Sikhona BMT), an annual event held in June, provides a safe place in a trusted community to have in depth conversation about health issues, specifically Prostate and Colorectal Cancers. This conversation provides a platform to educate men ages 40 and above, as well as men who have a high-risk factor for the Prostate and/or Colorectal Cancer and their partners/spouses. The conversation include: the incidence of Prostate and Colorectal Cancers, the importance of screenings for early detection, treatment and survivorship, including quality of life in African American (AA) communities. Men are encouraged to bring their partners/spouses to Sikhona BMT.
Within AA communities, the relationship among men, women, wellness and health care is embedded in the culture. The inclusion of women’s voices is vital and contextually appropriate in the conversation about health and wellness of their partners/spouses. Thus, their participation in the Sikhona BMT is not only desired but necessary due to their role as influencers and decision-making conversation partners.
Each year the event is shaped based on the evaluations provided by the prior participants. In 2021, the feedback requested more onsite services. In 2022, the breakfast was extended to include onsite screens for both Prostate and Colorectal cancers, as well as other routine health screenings and COVID-19
vaccinations and boosters.
The Breakfast and Community Wellness event is a collaboration among, nonprofit organizations, state and local government, hospitals and health care organizations, and churches, coordinated by Sikhona Inc.
Within AA communities, the relationship among men, women, wellness and health care is embedded in the culture. The inclusion of women’s voices is vital and contextually appropriate in the conversation about health and wellness of their partners/spouses. Thus, their participation in the Sikhona BMT is not only desired but necessary due to their role as influencers and decision-making conversation partners.
Each year the event is shaped based on the evaluations provided by the prior participants. In 2021, the feedback requested more onsite services. In 2022, the breakfast was extended to include onsite screens for both Prostate and Colorectal cancers, as well as other routine health screenings and COVID-19
vaccinations and boosters.
The Breakfast and Community Wellness event is a collaboration among, nonprofit organizations, state and local government, hospitals and health care organizations, and churches, coordinated by Sikhona Inc.
