I-LEAD has a long history of conducting innovative health equity programs. We were one of the first organizations in Pennsylvania to train community heath workers (promotoras) to work in the Latino community toward health equity. We have launched major public health initiatives in tobacco cessation and oral health. Currently we are working on an innovative partnership with BCA Global to launch a health equity initiative on mindful eating.
Mindful Eating for the Beloved Community (MEBC) is a racial and health equity initiative developed by and for communities of color that empowers individuals and communities to address diet-related health challenges that have their roots in social determinants of health (SDOH). Working with a local network of Philadelphia-based organizations (including churches, day care centers and social, education and workforce development agencies) the project will train and employ a core group of community health workers (CHWs) to implement MEBC’s strategic prevention framework with a focus on the challenge of childhood obesity. The CHW training will engage local leaders in a collaboration with nutrition professionals, mindful health advocates, chefs, agriculture and food systems experts. MEBC employs a trauma sensitive approach to stress reduction, emotional regulation, self-compassion and resilience-building alongside leadership development and empowerment to engage community leaders in collectives for change. These empowered collectives are able to surface and work to dismantle structural racism and improve racial equity and health equity, with a strong focus on diet and food systems.
