Virtual Learning Series

The work of Black Health New Mexico is focused on a community-centered model that encourages community-defined interventions to public health problems, specifically health outcomes that disproportionately impact Black infants, mothers and families. We believe that interventions that seek to improve health outcomes, must be deeply influenced by the expertise, leadership and lived experience of the communities most impacted.

As we've adjusted to COVID-19 public health restrictions and monumental related culture shifts, the need for accessible and culturally astute virtual health promotion has taken on a new urgency. Access to health information and community building through user friendly virtual platforms is, and will remain, essential as the culture continues to shift. The most vulnerable populations are those with pre-existing conditions and lack of good public health information and application that it grounded in cultural wisdom and relevance. In May 2020 BHNM launched its virtual learning series (VLS) in direct response to COVID-19 and the need to center Black voices, expertise and lived experience throughout the pandemic and related culture shifts, including and not limited to the rise of the Black Lives Matter Movement.

The VLS is a space to lead and learn on topics ranging from mental health to Black maternal health, to gestational diabetes, to mindfulness and yoga, -just to name a few- all lead by Black or BIPOC experts. Maintaining this platform throughout the pandemic is essential to our collective voice, leadership and wellbeing in New Mexico where we have traditionally been uncounted, unheard or marginalized as a monolith. Black Health New Mexico centers Black women as leaders and experts in our communities and the VNL is one of the keyways that we do it while promoting collaboration and education across cultures.

Sessions were held:

• May & June 2020 on M/T/W

• October-November 2020 on Tuesdays

• All 2021 sessions occurred on Tuesdays & Wednesdays