Brief Overview of the Case Study:

This Healio Q&A focuses on a feasibility study of Black women with asthma, which modified an existing women’s lifestyle physical activity program to address this particular demographic. In the study, half of the participants received the intervention while the other half received enhanced care. The study found that a larger proportion of the intervention group achieved asthma control at week 24 and experienced a general improvement in quality of life compared to the control group. Thus, the study illustrated the importance of focusing on historically underrepresented patients and what the real barriers are to engaging in physical activity.

Below are the questions that we discussed during The Roundtable:

• What gets missed when physical activity is framed as a simple personal choice?

• What barriers make exercise advice unrealistic for many people in daily life?

• How do neighborhood conditions, safety, and built environments shape movement?

• What does supportive physical activity guidance look like when barriers are named directly?

• How can health professionals give advice that is realistic, respectful, and equity-centered?

• What is one way you want to change how you talk about physical activity so it better reflects the barriers people face?

Missed the rest of the series? Catch up here:

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When I saw that positive result, I realized for the first time post-pandemic how something as routine as getting home from work can quietly put your health at risk. For those of us who need to take public transportation, it can feel like we’re choosing between our health and a paycheck. However, the ways transportation barriers can impact our health rarely happen in the examination room. Instead, healthcare providers often point to weight, which means we’re missing the full picture.

In this video, I cover:

• The moment I realized transportation can impact our health outcomes

• Why we sometimes choose between our health and a paycheck

• What is missed when we don’t keep health barriers in mind

See you in the final part of our series!

Tomesha

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“We are not all in the same boat. We are in the same storm. Some of us are on superyachts. Some of us have just the one oar.” - Damian Barr

When I think about Barr’s quote, which made the rounds during the pandemic, I’m reminded of how much access shapes our health outcomes. What we have access to can affect everything from our risk of chronic disease to our mental well-being.

When nutritious food is hard to access, the issue is often called a food desert. But that term can make this problem sound natural, like it just happened on its own. What we’re really talking about is something intentional: food apartheid. From grocery stores that are miles away to fast food being the most affordable option, this isn’t simply a matter of personal choices. It’s a matter of systems.

Food apartheid is a term coined by Karen Washington, a food justice advocate and activist, to describe the inequities in our food system that are shaped by social class and geography. In many wealthy neighborhoods, people may have access to organic produce, grass-fed meats, and wild-caught seafood. They may spend weekends eating at farm-to-table restaurants that prioritize the freshest ingredients.

In many low-income neighborhoods, the picture looks very different. Grocery stores may carry fewer fresh options, and some of the food available may be close to expiring. That makes fast food the most likely and affordable choice. That difference is not small, but it shapes the foods people consistently eat, and, in turn, their health.

I’m not shaming either side. I’ve lived in a wealthy neighborhood where I could buy everything certified organic. I’ve also lived in low-income neighborhoods where I had to look through the flyer to see what was on sale that week. I made do in both situations, but I also don’t want to ignore the reality that where I lived affected the quality of food I could access.

And it’s not just grocery stores. It’s farmers’ markets, too.

I didn’t really begin to appreciate farmers’ markets until I moved to Massachusetts. They allow you to support local agriculture while getting access to fresh, in-season produce. But even farmers’ markets can come with barriers. They’re often open during working hours. They’re not always located in the neighborhoods where people live and work. And they aren’t always easy to reach by public transportation, which means a car is often necessary. In some cases, they’re also held in community spaces that aren’t designed to comfortably accommodate mobility equipment when crowds are large.

None of these barriers exists in every situation, but they do reveal something important: our food systems are not designed equally. Sometimes that’s not about intentional harm. Sometimes it’s about unintentional design. But unintentional design still creates real harm.

When food systems are designed without access in mind, they can contribute to nutritional deficiencies, poor mental health, and chronic disease. That makes it harder to stay healthy, not because people don’t care, but because the system is making basic care harder to sustain.

Nutrition isn’t just about making “better” food choices. It’s about whether nutritious foods are regularly accessible in the first place. Food apartheid can limit variety, and when variety is limited, it becomes harder to consistently get the vitamins and minerals the body needs. This is more than counting macronutrients. It’s about whether people can actually access the foods that help them thrive.

And the impact doesn’t stop at the body.

Nutrient intake affects brain function, which can influence concentration, mood, and depression. When people are not getting the nutrients they need, it can become harder to regulate emotions and maintain healthy behaviors. So when access is limited, mental health often feels that impact too.

The same food systems that are supposed to support our well-being can end up making us more vulnerable to chronic disease. When fast food is more accessible than fresh food, it should not surprise us that chronic disease becomes more common. For that reason, food apartheid affects what people can eat, how they feel, and how their health can change over time.

Despite the real challenges posed by inequitable food systems in the U.S., there are still resources available to help people in need. Whether you’re navigating this yourself or supporting patients, clients, or community members, here are a few places to start.

• Find a local food bank or pantry through Feeding America.

• If you’re 60+ or living with a disability, apply for Meals on Wheels.

• Call 211 for help finding local food pantries, soup kitchens, and SNAP support.

• Join or start a community garden where residents can grow produce together.

• Search the CSA directory to find farmers who offer shares of locally grown food.

This is not an exhaustive list, and it is U.S.-based. Still, I hope it encourages you to think about what this looks like in your own community. The specific resources may vary by location, so it’s often best to reach out to your local community to see what’s available.

More importantly, if you know of resources that would support the community, share them in the comments. The more we support each other, the better it will be for all of us, no matter where we live.

Until next week,
Tomesha

That experience taught me that housing instability can show up suddenly, even when you’ve paid your rent on time and done your part to take care of the space entrusted to you. That’s why, for Part 2 of our series on the impact of neighborhoods and built environments on health, I’m sharing three housing lessons I’ve learned the hard way so you don’t have to.

In this video, I’m sharing:

• The impact of housing instability on our health.

• Why emergency savings matter more than we like to admit.

• What you need to get crystal clear on before signing a lease or mortgage.

• The difference between a temporary housing situation and a long-term one.

Even if your housing feels stable right now, it’s worth thinking about what would happen if that changed. These three lessons taught me that every time we think we’re doing everything ‘right’, something can happen that can create instability where stability once lived.

Inside The Roundtable, we take conversations like this a step further. Not just what we think, but how to actually apply it in real life through discussion, reflection, and community. Come just us inside The Roundtable!

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How are you thinking about housing stability these days? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Tomesha

Even though psychological safety is often a term we hear about in our work environments, those of us who have transitioned to more remote work post-2020 are spending more time at home. For this reason, creating environments where we feel welcomed, respected, and able to show up as our authentic selves matters. Not only is it important for our safety and comfort, but also for our sense of belonging.

Why Belonging Matters Just as Much as Safety

What does belonging mean to you? For me, it’s knowing that you are truly welcomed in the spaces where you live and work, because they intentionally make room for you. We all know the difference between someone making space for you and someone pretending as if you’re invisible. It’s the neighbor coming toward you on the sidewalk who shifts their body ever so slightly to ensure that there is space for you to come by. It’s also the coworker on your first day who invites you to join them for lunch. This might seem subtle, but the result is a deeper sense of belonging.

However, belonging is not solely about the individual; it is part of a much broader system. For instance, the sidewalks in the neighborhood might not be wide enough to comfortably fit all bodies and abilities. That could be detrimental to a sense of belonging for those in larger bodies or who use scooters to navigate spaces that weren’t designed with them in mind.

Let me be clear: this is not about convenience but about accessibility. When spaces aren’t built with us in mind, it limits our movement and social connections. Being unable to freely move around our neighborhoods can affect our cardiovascular health. As cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for Black women in the U.S., environments that limit cardiovascular exercise are extremely detrimental.

That is a reality that I don’t want to sugarcoat. Creating neighborhoods and built environments where we feel like we belong means acknowledging that the ones that currently exist often leave us feeling like we don’t.

However, there are some places that absolutely do ‘get it right’ when it comes to creating an environment of belonging. During my post-graduate school time, I had the opportunity to work at an organization where my coworkers truly understood the assignment.

• We were purposeful about welcoming new members to our teams. From giving them a tour around the office to meet other staff members, to welcome lunches, we ensured that the person felt truly a part of the team. This wasn’t something our superiors told us to do; we took the initiative.

• We showed respect by showing up for one another. Whether it was helping write cards to our donors or covering someone’s executive when they were out, we unapologetically showed up for one another. It not only helped the work get done faster, but also showed that person they didn’t have to carry the load alone.

• We brought our authentic selves to the table. Over time, we built deeper relationships with one another because we realized we didn’t have to wear a mask at work. We could truly be ourselves because we gave others permission to hold us accountable when we messed up.

I wish I could say that this was the norm, but the truth is it isn’t.

The experiences I’ve had in other workplaces have illustrated that there is an assumption that belonging will just happen. Instead, belonging needs to be baked into the workplace culture and policies. I don’t mean something that is rolled out in the annual training. Rather, it becomes what we live and breathe. It’s my belief that when we do, we will create an environment of belonging at work that extends to the neighborhoods where we live.

Below the paywall, I’m sharing what this actually looks like in practice. You’ll find specific ways to apply this to create a sense of belonging at work and home.

This is part of The Roundtable, where we move beyond reflection into action through weekly letters, monthly live discussions, and private community threads.

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That’s why this live discussion is about practical ways to tap into your hunger and fullness cues. In this conversation, we cover:

1. What it really looks like to reject the food rules that we have upheld for years

2. How we can begin to embrace the foods that we once avoided

3. How we can breakup with the cycle of dieting and binge eating

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So you bite your tongue to avoid offending your bestie whose on their latest “health” kick. Or, you shy away from saying what you really think at work (especially if you’re in the health field), because you’re not trying to get fired.

While your silence might be keeping you safe, it is also keeping you from having meaningful dialogue about health inequities. Dialogue that would be beneficial during times like National Nutrition Month, where themes like “Discovering the Power of Nutrition” often ignore the lived realities of Black women and historically marginalized communities.

These realities leave us to wonder:

• How can we talk about eating everything organic when we have friends and neighbors who have been out of work for over a year? Despite them applying for hundreds of jobs, they’re either told they’re overqualified for the role or they’re simply ghosted by recruiters.

• How can we tell someone to just “exercise more” to make up for their “bad diet” when we know they’ve spent years trying to heal from food restriction and overexercise? There is nothing more frustrating than being told to go back to doing the very thing that once harmed your relationship with food and your body.

These realities are often tied to the narrative that people are unhealthy because they aren’t “disciplined” enough. If they just tried harder to eat “better,” they’d be healthy. Or, if they found the “perfect” workout routine, they’d be fit.

Blaming the individual for health inequities ignores the fact that “personal responsibility” cannot account for the myriad of factors that contribute to our health outcomes.

The thing that is often left unsaid, that we should name out loud, is that every time we allow these narratives to go unchallenged, they grow stronger.

Being silent about what’s really at the core of health inequities allows those with the “loud and wrong” take to oversimplify the message. As a result, “discipline” and “personal responsibility” shape how health is defined, taught, and funded.

That silence doesn’t just keep us misinformed, but it keeps entire communities underserved. Hence why we’re continuing to see Black women and other marginalized groups being blamed for the consequences of a system it refuses to fix.

Thus, health inequities aren’t a matter of personal responsibility, but the result of systemic inequities that have yet to be addressed.

This is why I built a community where we can have these deeper, richer, and real conversations called The Roundable. The Roundtable is the community I wish had existed when I was first learning that addressing health inequities isn’t about my clients taking personal responsibility. It’s about systemic change.

Inside The Roundtable, we do what most conversations about “wellness” won’t: we don’t focus on theory. Instead, we focus on taking action through unpacking the historical roots of health inequities, challenging mainstream health narratives, and exploring what equity looks like in real life.

In other words, it’s not about debating who’s right about nutrition or fitness. Rather, we are building the language, confidence, and community you need to talk about health differently. We don’t need to do this work on our own when we have a community that can offer a different perspective we might not have considered before.

Chantal offered that for me during our February Roundtable discussion when she brought up the importance of feeling “comfortable,” not just safe, in our neighborhoods and the environments where we work.

That really struck me. It brought back my own memories of feeling “safe,” but not always comfortable, in the spaces where I have lived and worked. For many of us who spend the majority of our time between home and work, that matters.

For instance, there was a time when I (as a young coach) would recommend that my clients get outside and get in daily movement. While that advice might work for some, it failed to acknowledge that not everyone can comfortably do that.

What happens when going outside means that we’re interacting with “neighbors” who question whether we actually live there? Or, while walking during our afternoon lunch break, we notice other pedestrians cross the street when they see us coming? Or, when broken pavement and narrow sidewalks make it difficult for us to navigate in a wheelchair?

Those experiences might not happen to you daily, but when they do, they can leave you feeling “othered” in the places where you should feel comfortable. Creating space to have conversations like that is why I created The Roundtable.

Because it gives community members the opportunity to bring to the table experiences that affect our health and well-being, which we might not feel comfortable sharing outside the community.

When you’re in community with others who truly “get you,” it becomes so much easier to take off the masks and be unapologetically honest. The reason is that we know that when we are at The Roundtable, what is said there will stay there, but what is learned there will leave there.

The next live Roundtable happens this Saturday at noon EDT. It will be a deep-dive discussion on what happens when “eating well” doesn’t account for social determinants of health, such as economic stability.

It’s one hour. It’s focused on a recent case study on nutrition and food insecurity among Black households in Georgia.

And, it’s one conversation you don’t want to miss live.

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See you Saturday,

Tomesha

In this week’s live video, we talk about:

1. Why centering the individual is essential to prevent stigma from affecting the care we provide to patients.

2. How leading with the facts can ensure we’re not making decisions based on false assumptions.

3. Why building trust with patients is truly the secret ingredient for increasing the likelihood of compliance.

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For instance, research has shown that Black women are disproportionately impacted by chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). Even though there is a temptation to attribute this to individual choices, we should not ignore how systemic inequities can contribute to CVD. What might be perceived as an unhealthy diet might result from limited access to fresh, nutritious foods. In addition, lack of exercise could be related to time constraints arising from long working hours and caretaking responsibilities. Although a well-balanced diet and regular exercise routine are commonly recommended as health-promoting behaviors, that doesn’t mean they’re easy.

This is where this year’s National Nutrition Month’s theme, Discovering the Power of Nutrition, takes on a deeper meaning. Nourishment is not just about what’s on your plate, but about what becomes possible when the systems are conspiring in your favor.

We Need Systems That Support Food Security

According to the USDA’s Economic Research Service, in 2024, 47.9 million people in the U.S. lived in food-insecure households. That is a startling number of adults and children who were unable to acquire enough food to meet their basic needs. As food insecurity can contribute to chronic conditions, it’s imperative that systems are in place to support people in need.

As a nutrition coach, I encourage my clients to eat regular meals, which is only possible if they are food secure. When clients are food-secure, they’re better able to make nutrient-dense food choices. Even though that might feel like an awkward subject to broach, there are questions we can ask (i.e., what a typical meal looks like or if they’ve gone a day without eating) that can give us a better idea of whether they’re dealing with food insecurity. The point is that we want to make sure they know this isn’t about shaming them, but ensuring that the recommendations we’re providing are actually relevant to their unique situation.

We Need Systems That Honor Hunger and Fullness

Restrictive diets have been a significant contributing factor to disordered eating, which can adversely impact our health. A 2021 article in Eating & Weight Disorders found that eating intuitively can improve health while reducing disordered eating behaviors, such as binge eating. Given that disordered eating behaviors and eating disorders are becoming more prominent irrespective of race, ethnicity, or gender, it’s becoming even more important for systems that support our ability to honor our hunger and fullness.

Although there is some understandable criticism of Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch’s Intuitive Eating framework, there are significant benefits to learning to honor our hunger and fullness. When I’ve worked with clients who learn how to trust their hunger, I’ve found they stop second-guessing their food choices. They know that all foods are available to them, and they get to choose whether they want to eat them without judgment.

We Need Systems That Embrace Cultural Foods

Culture can largely determine our beliefs and behaviors. A 2020 article in Clinical Liver Disease highlighted the importance of providing culturally aware nutritional education to patients. As food practices vary by culture, being aware of patients’ cultural foods can increase the likelihood that patients will follow through with a provider’s recommendations.

Whether it’s enchiladas or dumplings, people are going to be drawn to their cultural foods. Restricting our cultural foods only makes us crave them more, not less. This is primarily why it’s imperative that clinicians, dietitians, and physicians teach patients how their cultural foods can be a part of a nutrient-dense meal. By doing so, they can demonstrate how embracing their cultural foods supports health while building rapport with their patients.

We Need Systems and Care That is Equity-Centered

Because our healthcare system is slow to change, we need systems driven by equity-centered care. What I mean is that care that acknowledges the root cause of disparities can be driven by systemic racism, discrimination, and social inequities. That means we’re taking into account the fact that Black women and many marginalized populations face unique barriers to accessing care. Whereas equality focuses on sameness, equity recognizes real differences that should not be ignored.

That’s why I’m reopening my nutrition coaching practice to create a space where your lived experience, culture, and body are respected. Equity-centered nutrition coaching can help fill the gap by addressing what is often overlooked when supporting Black women and many marginalized populations. From providing my client Veronica with recipes using ingredients available on her own farm, to my client Sheena, whom I helped feel more comfortable making nutrient-dense choices when she was dining out, nutrition isn’t about choosing the healthiest option. It’s about making the most nourishing choice for you at that moment, whether that choice is from your kitchen or from the drive-through window.

For this round, I’m only taking 2-4 one-on-one clients, so I can give each person the time and attention that they need to achieve their fitness and nutrition goals. If you’re interested, send me a message or email me at hello@enhanceblackwomenshealth.com so we can explore what working would look like.

Until next week,
Tomesha

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In this week’s episode, I talk about:

1. Why nutrition is “a” tool, but not “the” tool, when it comes to improving your health.

2. How can we make health-promoting dietary choices without erasing our cultural traditions?

3. How to develop a meal routine that works for your body, food preferences and lifestyle.

I also reference some food bloggers whom I highly recommend for great recipes on IG:

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I still remember the day vividly when the company I worked for at the time announced we’d be working from home until further notice. I stopped at my local Stop & Shop for a few items to get me through the week. When I walked in, the shelves were nearly empty, turning slight confusion into a slow panic as I realized even the basic foods, from vegetables to bread, were gone. What began as a grocery trip became a hard lesson on how access impacts our food choices far more than motivation or willpower ever will.

I, for one, pray that we NEVER have to experience a moment like that again. However, the lessons that 2020 taught us still matter today. One of the most important things is that nourishing ourselves has never been about perfection, but the systems that make (or limit) access.

What this moment taught the world is something that many Black women have known for generations. Our ability to nourish ourselves is often shaped more by systems rather than our personal choices. That’s why, at the EBWH Community, we’re really passionate about moving conversations about health from focusing on weight to focusing on equity. An equity-focused lens on health recognizes that food access has been a global issue long before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Gaps in Food Access Are Widening

In the U.S., the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federally funded program that provides eligible individuals with a monthly stipend to buy food. However, under the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act, SNAP benefits have been significantly reduced. While that reduction can contribute to food insecurity across the U.S., that impact won’t be felt equally.

In many Black communities, where grocery stores are already limited, cuts to SNAP mean that nutritious food options become more inaccessible. This is coupled with the reality that limited transportation makes it more difficult to get to a grocery store, and with inflation, the items that are available might not be affordable. Thus, policy changes around SNAP are only deepening the inequity that already exists.

Equity Requires Better Food Access

The reason we focus on equity at EBWH is that discussing health, especially nutrition, requires addressing structural barriers. For instance, in Massachusetts, there are more than a few farmers’ markets. However, it wasn’t until a local pointed out that not all markets are near public transportation and that many are open only during 9 to 5 hours that I realized how inaccessible they actually are. Even though these farmers’ markets are available and moderately affordable, it doesn’t mean that they’re actually accessible to everyone.

Therein lies the problem. Too often, many (myself included) have taken the path of providing nutritional education, believing that information alone can close the gap. As a nutrition coach who has worked with women around the world, I can tell you that nutritional education can provide them with the “what” to do. However, it’s equitable access to grocery stores and nutritional assistance programs, which gives them the actual “how” they will put that knowledge into practice.

Nutrition and Equity Must Go Hand-in-Hand

As the theme for National Nutrition Month is "Discovering the Power of Nutrition," it should be clear that this won’t happen without recognizing the power of equity. It’s through an equity-focused lens that we can demonstrate health isn’t solely for those who can “afford” it or whose plates are “perfectly” portioned. Instead, health requires having systems in place that enable everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status, to access the foods that nourish them.

This is part of why our personal focus this month at EBWH has been emphasizing that The Problem Isn’t Your Plate. Even when we discover the power of nutrition, we must acknowledge that there are systems that have created unique barriers to access to fresh, nutritious, and affordable foods.

By ignoring those systems, we treat people’s inability to improve their health as a personal failure rather than a failure of the system. That’s not only cruel but also the very thing contributing to the inequitable health outcomes that exist today.

Speaking of, what other ways have our systems created unique barriers to accessing health? Let’s start a conversation in the comments below.

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Finally, this National Nutrition Month, I’m highlighting some of my favorite recipes that are packed with flavor and nutrient-dense.

Even though baking isn’t my strong suit, these Paleo Banana Muffins by Heal Me Delicious are a recipe I can't even jack up. It is incredibly simple to make, and if you’re like me with food intolerances, you will be pleasantly surprised. This is very allergen-friendly!

Sidenote: If you have any additional recipes to share with the community, drop them in the comments. Check out the rest of my recommendations on Pinterest!

Until next week,
Tomesha

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I had no idea that when my doctor told me in 2016, “Although you look healthy, your BMI is high, and you could stand to eat more salads,” it would become the catalyst for what is now the EBWH Community. Even though it would be three more years before I officially received an autoimmune diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögen’s syndrome, I knew her assumption that my symptoms were weight-related was wrong.

As we continue to navigate a world that tries to convince us that weight equals health, it’s even more important to ditch the “just lose weight” advice and look deeper.

Why ‘Just Lose Weight’ Advice Falls Short

As March 2026’s theme for National Nutrition Month is “Discovering the Power of Nutrition,” I thought what better time than now to talk about how discussions about weight, especially for those with chronic conditions, often center on nutrition. By this, I mean when you have a chronic illness or an autoimmune disease, it’s not uncommon for the first (if not only) advice given to be to lose weight.

Giving a person with a chronic condition blanket advice to “just lose weight” ignores the reality that weight is NOT a behavior. Eating nutrient-dense foods, engaging in regular movement, and practicing meditation are all behaviors. Weight, however, is influenced by a variety of factors, some of which are outside our control. When providers, coaches, and trainers assume that weight loss will automatically improve health, they are basing their assumptions on weight bias rather than on reality. This kind of bias has been linked to delayed diagnosis, care avoidance, and poorer health outcomes, especially for Black women in larger bodies.

How Weight-Inclusivity Supports Nutrition and Overall Health

Weight-inclusive nutrition is essential for providing equitable care to all patients and clients, irrespective of their size, weight, or shape. As demonstrated in a 2024 article in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, weight-inclusive approaches focus on health markers and behaviors, and create environments where people of all sizes can access health without stigmatization. That said, weight-inclusivity isn’t about ignoring the social determinants of health, such as the built environments we live in or the economic stability of our families, which create real barriers to accessing health.

Nevertheless, there are health behaviors we can engage in that can positively contribute to improving health markers, such as:

• Intuitive Eating: In the book Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch, they do a fantastic job at breaking down how to approach nutrition irrespective of your size. From reconnecting with your innate hunger and fullness cues to giving yourself unconditional permission to eat your cultural foods, you can make health-promoting food choices without feeling deprived.

• Joyful Movement: As discussed in a 2025 article in SSM - Qualitative Research in Health, cultural norms about body weight and physical activity have created barriers for people in larger bodies to move. Nevertheless, organizations like NAKOA Adventure remind us of the importance of spaces created by and for plus-sized folks. By doing so, we can find joy in various forms of movement, from hiking to surfing, when those activities are created with all bodies in mind.

• Self-compassion: Kristin D. Neff explains in an article in the Annual Review of Psychology that self-compassion is not about ignoring our pain, but being mindful about how we’re coping with the stress around us. That means recognizing that even if we “fail” at something, it doesn’t mean that we are a “failure” as a person. Even if eating intuitively or having an enjoyable movement routine isn’t a reality for us right now, we can still show ourselves kindness as we navigate what works best for our body and lifestyle.

As we focus on Discovering the Power of Nutrition, I don’t want us to miss the most important point: the power comes from informed choices about eating and movement that work for your body and lifestyle, not against it.

That means when (not if) you experience challenges, know that you’re absolutely not alone on this journey. I created this community because, when I discovered I wasn’t alone, I knew it was my responsibility to ensure no one else felt they had to figure it out on their own. That said, I know the struggle can be real, and having self-compassion can be difficult for some of us more than others.

If you selected “something else,” could you message me what it is? As we continue to build out monthly themes for 2026, we want to ensure the community letters we write are addressing the actual challenges you’re facing.

In celebration of National Nutrition Month, I’m highlighting some of my favorite recipes that are packed with flavor and nutrient-dense.

There aren’t too many recipes I can eat every day and never tire of. However, this one right here is one of them! Meatified’s Pork & Basil Meatballs in Creamy Thai Green Curry Sauce is by far my absolute favorite recipe to make when I’m craving curry and don’t feel like ordering out. Don’t worry if you don’t eat pork; you can absolutely substitute ground beef, turkey, or chicken.

I often pair this meal with some sauteed kale and white rice. Whatever you choose, this is such a filling meal that you can go back to again and again. It’s also one of the few meals I don’t mind making completely from scratch, because the result is actually worth the time spent in the kitchen. I hope this recipe is a reminder that nourishing meals can be culturally rooted, satisfying, and supportive of our health.

Sidenote: If you have any additional recipes to share with the community, drop them in the comments. Check out the rest of my recommendations on Pinterest!

Until next week,
Tomesha

Finding Joy Through Remembering Our History

I rarely recommend books before I finish them, but this one is an exception. Black Women Taught Us by Jenn M. Jackson, PhD, gives me good reason to break my own rules. We’re at a time when we need to be reminded that we don’t actually have to figure this out on our own. History has given us not only the path but also the blueprint for fighting for our freedom through the lives of Black women featured in this book. If you need some inspiration right now, this book is one I highly recommend keeping on your nightstand.

When you buy from Bookshop, use code: BHM26 this month to get 20% off select books.

Finding Joy Through Becoming a Trailblazer

Just as we learn from those who came before us, we can also find joy in those who paved their own path. As it’s Winter Olympics time, there’s no better time to remember French figureskater Surya Bonaly, the first Olympic figure skater to land a backflip on one blade. Bonaly performed this impressive move at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, long before it was “legal” to do so in figure skating. Even though her backflip cost her points at the Olympics, it was her defiance against the traditional norms in figure skating that opened the door to those who came after her.

You can check out her impressive moves on IG.

Finding Joy Through Eating Delicious Food

One of the many ways we can create our own paths is by challenging the assumptions others hold about our culture. Someone who is doing a fantastic job at that is Nicole Charles of Heal Me Delicious. These AIP Beef Patties remind me of the beef patties from our neighborhood Jamaican restaurant, which was a frequent stop on my way home from high school. It was the perfect after-school snack to tie me over until dinner time.

Enjoy this recipe and more from Heal Me Delicious.

Finding Joy Through Community

As much as I find joy in food, the place that brings me the most joy is through the connection I have with others. Launching The Roundtable, where we go beyond conversation and discuss how we can take collective action to reshape health outcomes for Black women and other marginalized communities, brings me immense joy. In our upcoming monthly live Roundtable discussion, we’ll be talking about the “MAHA Real Food” Super Bowl ad featuring Mike Tyson and the ways media and marketing impact healthcare experiences.

Upgrade to The Roundtable to join the live discussion (or catch the recording).

As March is National Nutrition Month, I have a question for you:

Feel free to fill out the poll, and if there are any specific topics you want us to cover next month, drop them in the comments.

May we be reminded that joy isn’t just found, but cultivated with care and community.

Until next week,
Tomesha

Welcome to The Community Letter, a weekly reflection from the Enhance Black Women’s Health Community. Here is our opportunity to come together to discuss what’s shaping the health of Black women and other historically marginalized groups.

I had the privilege of sitting down with Dr. Venice Haynes, the Senior Director of Research and Community Engagement at the United States (US) of Care, to talk about what’s really contributing to the Black maternal mortality crisis in the U.S. It’s a conversation that illustrates that maternal health transcends 40-weeks, which is why improving maternal health in the U.S. starts with better postpartum care.

According to US of Care, better postpartum care is critical because it recognizes that the question that is rarely being asked is what happens to new moms after giving birth? As we know, maternal health isn’t just what happens before and during pregnancy, but what happens after birth. That is why the 100 Weeks Project aims to ensure that mothers receive the essential care and support they need during the postpartum period. It’s through the work that the US of Care has done that we can begin to address the Black maternal health crisis.

What We Discuss:

• The inspiration behind Dr. Haynes’ path to a career in public health.

• The experiences of Black women from preconception through the postpartum period.

• The lack of mental health support during the critical postpartum period.

• The organizations and innovative tech platforms that bring care to the Black women who need it most.

• The crucial role of policy change in ensuring Black mothers have access to the healthcare they deserve.

Additional Resources:

• IRTH App

• Maven Clinic

• Family Solutions

Community Prompt

As we think more about Black maternal health, what additional challenges do we still need to address?

Leave a comment

If you enjoyed this post, come join us at The Roundtable! Our Roundtable community offers a private space for meaningful reflection, lively monthly discussions, and engaging threads on vital topics impacting Black women’s health. It’s just $5 a month, and you can cancel whenever you’d like. We can’t wait to welcome you to our table!

Upgrade

Monthly Book Recommendation

In celebration of Black History Month, I’m highlighting a book that I believe everyone should read if they haven’t already. Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine, by Dr. Uché Blackstock, illustrates the racist practices and policies that contribute to worse health outcomes for Black Americans than any other group in the U.S. Dr. Blackstock paints a clear picture of the critical intersection between racism and healthcare. If you haven’t read this book yet, I highly recommend it!

Check out the rest of my BHM recommendations at the EBWH Bookstore!

Until next week,
Tomesha

Everybody has a body, but the experiences that we all have in our bodies can be vastly different. That was made blatantly obvious during this year’s Super Bowl commercials, where weight stigma took center stage in a way that I, for one, wasn’t prepared for.

It’s taken me a few days to write down my thoughts, not because I didn’t have a lot to say. If you follow me on Instagram stories, you heard me process my thoughts about the Super Bowl ads in real time.

While I shed a tear of joy watching the Budweiser ad, three ads made me absolutely cringe:

1. Levi’s “Backstory,” which glorified butts in a way that reminded me how much certain bodies are sexualized over others.

2. MAHA Center Inc.’s “MAHA Real Food by Mike Tyson” highlights how misinformed the general public is about nutrition and health.

3. Hims & Hers, “Rich People Live Longer,” demonstrated how many telehealth companies are willfully ignorant of the real health challenges the average person faces.

Special thanks to USA Today, which gave me the official names for each of these ads. Even though I will give Novo Nordisk “A New Way to Wegovy” and Ro “Healthier on Ro” honorable mentions, they make me cringe for a different reason.

• For the main reason that it’s Black History Month, and why aren’t these commercials talking about the myriad of ACTUAL health disparities impacting Black people?

• Secondly, even when Black people lose weight, it doesn’t erase racism, sexism, and other isms that we face in medical settings.

However, that is a rant I will reserve for a different day.

Even though I found those ads problematic, it’s not for the same reason I found Levi’s, MAHA Center Inc, and Hims & Hers problematic. What truly bothers me about the message from Levi’s, MAHA Center Inc., and Hims & Hers is that, once again, it focuses on the individual, NOT the system.

Levi’s “Backstory”

Although Levi’s might have called it “Backstory,” we all know that it’s not talking about the backstory of the sexualization of women’s bodies, especially Black women’s bodies. If you haven’t read the book, Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia by Dr. Sabrina Strings, literally do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Go read that book right now, because it brings to light the direct connection between the hyperfocus on Black bodies and the health disparities that exist today.

Although this ad isn’t the only non-health ad I will talk about today, it still isn’t missed by me; it focuses so much on bodies. It focused on what many perceived bodies should and shouldn’t look like. It also rarely shows faces, as if to say the only thing that matters is how you look in certain clothing. As a Black woman who was once a Black girl who was sexualized when I was still playing with Barbie dolls, this commercial reminded me of how far our world still needs to go to truly treat women as equals. Yes, I know there weren’t only women in this ad, but it doesn’t change my opinion. When we don’t talk about the real backstory of how bodies have come to be sexualized, we risk perpetuating harm.

MAHA Center Inc.’s “MAHA Real Food by Mike Tyson”

Even though MAHA Center Inc. says this video is about “real food,” you notice that in no part of this commercial did we actually talk about any of the nutritional barriers Mike Tyson or his sister faced. You hear his sister “died of obesity at 25” (his words); however, you don’t hear if his sister had access to quality healthcare that could have prevented her from dying of a heart attack. You also hear he felt “fat and nasty” and wanted to harm himself. However, you don’t hear if the self-hate (also his words) he had for himself could have resulted from having to maintain a certain physique as a boxer.

His words (while laced with weight stigma) remind me of a 2022 study by Rand Health that looked at how the Marine Corps body composition and military appearance standards contributed to unhealthy behaviors. As a Marine Corps veteran who engaged in unhealthy behaviors to maintain a certain physique, a lot of what Mike Tyson talks about sounds like the result of disordered eating. So, I’m not discounting how he felt at the time, being in a body he wasn’t comfortable with, or how he feels today. What was missing from that ad was the harsh reality that simply eating “real food” will not address the deeper issues of self-hatred. That requires getting to the root, which that ad did not do.

Hims & Hers “Rich People Live Longer”

Lawd have mercy. When the first lines of an ad are “rich people live longer,” you already know things are about to go downhill real fast. Even though it’s clear that there is a serious health gap in the world, it’s commercials like this that remind me how out of touch telehealth has become. When telehealth expanded during 2020, it was to address healthcare access. Now it’s less about providing access to all, and more about providing access to those who can afford it.

That became abundantly clear when I took a browse around the Hims and Hers site, which I know I’ll later regret for retargeting reasons. The first thing I saw in the promo bar is “20% off select orders of $500+.” Because we “non-rich people” just have $500+ lying around. Now, on a side note, Novo Nordisk is suing Hims & Hers to prevent them from selling their GLP-1 copycat drug. Hims argues this is an attack on Americans who rely on personalized care, while Novo argues they are simply protecting their patents. I argue that both options aim to make people smaller, but not necessarily healthier. And, clearly, not richer with these prices!

At the end of the day, I want each and every one of us to ask ourselves the hard questions.

Is this product or service doing what it says it’s intended to do? Are the Levi’s jeans providing the backstory that we want to tell? Is MAHA actually providing access to real food? Have Hims & Hers made it so the non-rich can live long lives, too? I’m not asking you to come to the same conclusion I have. I’m simply asking you to ask yourself the hard questions and be open to the answer.

Community Prompt

Alright, I’ve shared my deep thoughts on the Super Bowl ads I could have absolutely lived without. Now I want to hear from you!

Which Super Bowl ads for you were a hit or a miss?

Leave a comment

If you enjoyed this post, come join us at The Roundtable! Our Roundtable community offers a private space for meaningful reflection, lively monthly discussions, and engaging threads on vital topics impacting Black women’s health. It’s just $5 a month, and you can cancel whenever you’d like. We can’t wait to welcome you to our table!

Upgrade

Monthly Book Recommendation

In celebration of Black History Month, I’m highlighting a book that I believe everyone should read if they haven’t already. As I mentioned above, it’s Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia by Dr. Sabrina Strings!

Check out the rest of my BHM recommendations at the EBWH Bookstore!

Closing Signal

Until next week,
Tomesha

What’s been sitting with me this week is the reminder that Black women often need to provide evidence of our suffering before we’re taken seriously. That reminder comes from a review published in Nursing in Critical Care, about Black women having to prove the validity of their health concerns during clinical encounters.

From the minimization of symptoms to the ignoring of pain management requests, it’s not uncommon to feel as if we need proof in order to be believed. That reality is one I know all too well as a patient, educator, and coach. As I read this review, I saw my own story reflected in it, and when you read it for yourself, you might see it too.

The Patient’s Perspective

One of the biggest takeaways from the review is the frequent dismissal of Black women’s health concerns. By dismissal, I don’t just mean that providers aren’t listening to Black women. While that is certainly happening, what is perplexing to me is the minimization of Black women’s symptoms. It’s not that the symptoms aren’t visible, but that providers may feel they aren’t as bad as Black women are saying that they are.

Unfortunately, this was my reality as a patient with two primary care physicians (PCPs) who did not take my health concerns seriously. There were moments when both wanted me to prove that certain tests needed to be ordered. If it wasn’t for my self-advocacy, I’m sure those tests wouldn’t have been ordered. In my case, those tests ended up being the vital things that I needed to get my diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, Sjӧgren’s syndrome, and pericentral retinitis pigmentosa. Three conditions explained all the symptoms that my previous PCPs had dismissed. However, my story is far from an isolated incident.

As the review shared, it’s not uncommon for Black women to experience missed and delayed diagnoses. When diagnoses are missed or delayed, that means that Black women are not getting the preventative care that they need. That means, we might not even find out our diagnosis until the condition has worsened. I cannot help but wonder how many more lives would be saved if providers weren’t so quick to dismiss their patients’ health concerns.

The Educator’s Perspective

Another takeaway from this article is the measurable consequences that result from the dismissal of Black women’s health concerns. By this, I mean we can look at the data as health and wellness educators and see how dismissals directly translate to actual harm. From late-stage diagnoses to higher mortality risk, the data have made it clear that there are real consequences that happen when Black women’s health concerns are dismissed.

When I think about the importance of health and wellness education, I am reminded of a workshop I conducted on weight stigma in medicine. In that conversation, I focused on one woman’s story of going to a doctor for pain in her abdomen, but her pain was dismissed due to her weight. Instead of conducting a thorough physical examination, they put her on a strict dietary regimen and scheduled her for bariatric surgery. Prior to the surgery, a thorough physical examination was conducted, which revealed she had a 46 kg (or 101 lb) malignant tumor. I share this example because her healthcare team was quick to give her a diagnosis of “monstrous obesity” (yes, that’s actually what they called it) despite the fact that she told them that she was having pain in her abdomen. They made the assumption that the pain was due to her size, and they were very wrong.

As the review illustrates, those experiences of dismissal can lead Black women to delay seeking care. Even though the patient knew that their abdominal pain wasn’t normal, they had a healthcare team that wasn’t willing to see past their own assumptions. That’s why it’s critical that health and wellness educators learn about case studies like this. Through this learning, we can ensure that providers have the information they need to better advocate for their patients, which we know will positively impact their patients' lives.

The Coach’s Perspective

The last takeaway that I would be remiss if I didn’t mention is how the underrepresentation of Black women in health research can reinforce harm. It’s well known that women in general are underrepresented in research, which has contributed to significant health disparities. Given that Black women sit at the intersection of gender and race, they face unique challenges.

As a health coach with a background in nutrition, I was drawn to a recent study in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics on how health professionals and community members in the United Kingdom worked together to co-design nutrient-dense traditional African-Caribbean recipe resources. This came from recognizing that nutritional resources didn’t reflect the foods common in African-Caribbean cuisines. Thus, health professionals worked with African-Caribbean communities to co-design culturally relevant recipes that supported their nutritional health without “Westernizing” it. Not only does this support communities, but it also contributes to a greater number of culturally relevant health professionals.

Therefore, the review demonstrates the importance of ensuring that research is truly inclusive of the broader population. When we’re understanding Black women, we can be missing out on the nuanced experiences that impact their health. As coaches, we might be falsely assuming that people are choosing to be “non-compliant” when, in reality, they may not have the resources to implement our recommendations.

Community Prompt

What perspective do you bring to the table? That of the patient, educator, coach, or someone else? Let us know below.

Leave a comment

Monthly Book Recommendation

In celebration of Black History Month, I’m highlighting a book that I believe everyone should read if they haven’t already.

If you haven’t watched my interview with Dr. Wylin Wilson, you absolutely should. Dr. Wilson’s book, Womanist Bioethics, brings to awareness the impact that devaluing Black bodies has had on the health of Black women. It’s a book that is rich not only in history but also in ancestral wisdom. No matter your gender, race, or ethnicity, this book offers a perspective not often discussed in mainstream bioethics.

Check out Womanist Bioethics and the rest of my BHM recommendations at the EBWH Bookstore!

Head to the Bookstore

If you enjoyed this post, come join us at The Roundtable! Our Roundtable community offers a private space for deeper reflection, monthly live discussions that explore complex health topics with nuance and care, and a growing archive of conversations you can revisit as your understanding evolves. It’s just $5 a month, and you can cancel whenever you’d like. We can’t wait to welcome you to our table!

Join The Roundtable

Until next week,
Tomesha

Read more

The health outcomes for Black women in the United States have long been shaped by historical injustice, faith traditions, and structures of power. Despite advances in healthcare, Black women continue to experience disproportionate rates of preventable illness and death. It’s not because of biological inferiority, but social, political, and historical forces that have consistently devalued Black women’s health and bodies. That reality is where today’s conversation begins.

I sit down with Dr. Wylin D. Wilson, Associate Professor of Theological Ethics at Duke Divinity School and author of Womanist Bioethics: Social Justice, Spirituality, and Black Women’s Health*. Dr. Wilson’s work sits at the intersection of faith, ethics, and health, challenging both healthcare systems and faith communities to confront how power, history, and storytelling shape care.

What We Discuss:

• How Dr. Wilson’s personal history shaped her path into womanist bioethics

• What womanist bioethics is and why it matters for Black women’s health

• How mainstream bioethics has historically centered on European men while marginalizing Black women

• The role of faith communities and the Black church in health, care, and accountability

• Why listening to Black women is not optional, but essential to ethical care

• What community-centered health can look like beyond policy alone

Community Prompt

As we concluded our conversation, something Dr. Wilson shared deeply touched me. That was the importance of not just listening with our ears, but listening with our hearts.

Can you think of one moment in the past when you knew someone wasn’t just listening, but actually felt what you were saying?

Leave a comment

Additional Resources

• Womanist Bioethics: Social Justice, Spirituality, and Black Women’s Health* by Wylin D. Wilson

• Dr. Wilson’s website – for speaking, updates, and resources

• Breaking the Fine Rain of Death: African American Health Issues and Womanist Ethic of Care* by Emilie M. Townes

• Black Maternal and Infant Health: Historical Legacies of Slavery by Deirdre Cooper Owens and Sharla M. Fett

*Disclosure: I may earn a commission for purchases made through links in this post.

Until next week,
Tomesha