Celebrating Juneteenth and Change through Collaboration

Black Americans have quietly celebrated the emancipation of enslaved Black people in the U.S. for generations, but now thanks to public awareness efforts and a shift in deep-rooted historical beliefs, the day known as Juneteenth is now a federally recognized holiday celebrated every June 19^th. Despite nationwide recognition and community celebrations dedicated to the day, when it comes to health equity and access to healthcare, disparities within the Black community still remain. The American Liver Foundation (ALF) is working to help close some of these gaps.

This Juneteenth we spotlight our partnership with Black Liver Health Initiative (BLHI) at New York Presbyterian in New York City. Co-founded by three Black female physicians, Nicole Golden, DNP, FNP-BC, Veronica Roye, DNP, FNP-BC and Monica Nelson-Kone, BSN, RN, the goal of BLHI is to address both new and historic barriers to healthcare through enhanced engagement with the Black community.

Recently, in collaboration with two of BLHI’s co-founders, Nicole Golden, DNP, FNP-BC and Veronica Roye, DNP, FNP-BC, ALF presented Liver Transplant Disparities in Black Patients focusing on health equity and barriers to liver transplantation and patient navigation. Drs. Golden and Roye have also been instrumental in helping guide and grow ALF’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives. Dr. Nicole Golden said, “The Black community must continue to seek courage – no matter the circumstance – for it is the prerequisite for change and growth.”

It is only through partnerships like these and public campaigns such as our five-year public health campaign, Think Liver Think Life, that we can begin to reach people where they are, educate them about their liver health, and help narrow some of the existing gaps in healthcare. For more information about our public health campaign visit thinkliverthinklife.org.