URBAN CALL — HEALTHY LIVING EVERY DAY!
ACT NOW: Get health insurance The Affordable Care Act is truly a lifesaver. Check to see if you are eligible for a special sign-up period to get covered right now! For free help to sign up call 336-759-7477 or email SMSipartners@smsi-net.com Don’t wait – put your health first.
Learn More! Lower Costs! One third of the millions of consumers who bought their healthcare through the Marketplace at HealthCare.gov are paying $10 or less per month in premiums, and premiums for renewing enrollees have gone down. Be a lifesaver: If you’re covered, share this Urban Call publication with a loved one or friend who might need health insurance.
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Almost 90% of people who sign up for coverage on HealthCare.gov get help paying for their health insurance.
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If you sign up by the 15th of the month, your insurance starts on the first day of the next month.
Giving Back to Our Communities
4 Dr. Laura Gerald, President
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Beyonce
Goler CDC and New CEO of BCBSNC
Dr. Tunde Sotunde
Michael Suggs, President
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Plans available through HealthCare. gov cover preventative services including annual physicals, tobacco cessation treatment, mammograms and COVID-19 and other vaccines at no additional cost.
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Income key to insurance costs
Oprah Winfrey
Inside...
More Reasons to Sign Up Now
KBR Trust
Sandra Miller Jones
SMSi Healthy Living Solutions, Inc. Founder & CEO
Lafayette Jones
Publisher, Urban Call; SMSi-Urban Call Marketing, Inc. President & CEO
COVID-19 is still alive! Those of us who are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are enjoying new freedoms, including limited mask wearing. But for the millions of Americans who have not yet received their shots, medical experts advise that they should continue to follow the basic rules of protection: wear a mask, social distance and wash hands often. And we must all continue to be careful. The coronavirus is still out there, alive and deadly!
To get help obtaining Affordable Care Act insurance: Call SMSi Healthy Living Solutions at 336-759-7477 or email SMSIpartners@smsi-net.com To obtain additional free copies of Urban Call for distribution to members of your organization: Call: 336-759-7477 Email: SMSipartners@smsi-net.com For a digital copy of Urban Call, visit http://Issuu.com/SmsiUrbanCallMarketing.com
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Income figure key to lower insurance cost HOUSEHOLD SIZE
100%
133%
138%
200%
400%
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
$12,880 $17,420 $21,960 $26,500 $31,040 $35,580 $40,120 $44,660
$17,130 $23,169 $29,207 $35,245 $41,283 $47,321 $53,360 $59,398
$17,774 $24,040 $30,305 $36,570 $42,835 $49,100 $55,366 $61,631
$25,760 $34,840 $43,920 $53,000 $62,080 $71,160 $80,240 $89,320
$51,520 $69,680 $87,840 $106,000 $124,160 $142,320 $160,480 $178,640
For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $4,320 for each additional person. Note: Eligibility for premium tax credits in coverage year 2021 is based on poverty guidelines for 2020.
Organizations partner to assist uninsured
The SMSi Companies Corporate Offices 51 E. Fourth St., Suite 1702 Winston Salem, N.C. 27101-4257 Office: (336) 759-7477 Fax: (336) 941-3547
SMSi & Urban Call Community Outreach Office Goler CDC Center 899 North Liberty Street Winston Salem, NC 27101 Office: (336) 759-7477
Issuu.com/Smsiurbancallmarketing.com SegmentedMarketing.org n
SMSi-Urban Call Marketing, Inc. President and CEO; Urban Call Publisher: Lafayette Jones Executive Editor: Alan Cronk Production Manager: Jodi S. Sarver Digital Services Director: Jimmy Davies, Every.Black
Video Production Manager: Chris Downey Photographer/Videographer: Donevan Cherry, CherVeli Media Financial Services: Roslyn Hickman Warehouse, Collation & Shipping Manager: Vincent Harris
SMSi Healthy Living Solutions Inc. SMSi Founding Chair and CEO: Sandra Miller Jones National Project Manager: Constance Baker Harris National Logistics Manager: Camille Allen Director, Financial Services: Roslyn Hickman
Agent Ambassadors: Charlie Bethea, Alvin Borders, Yvette Canty, Constance Baker Harris, Talaya Loyd, Sharon Lyles, Natalie Nicholson, Debra Shore, John Wall
SMSi Community of Networks
The Goler CDC, a WinstonSalem, N.C., based community development corporation, has received a grant from the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust to help low income Forsyth County North Carolina residents obtain comprehensive health insurance Goler CDC through the Affordable Care Act President Michael (ACA), also called Obama Care. Suggs “To accomplish this goal, the Goler CDC has joined forces with the SMSi Companies (Healthy Living Solutions Inc. and Urban Call Marketing, Inc.) and Legal Aid of North Carolina. Both organizations have a proven track
record of assisting individuals and families to obtain ACA insurance, especially African-Americans and Hispanics,” said Goler CDC President Michael Suggs. The ACA outreach campaign will include special newspaper supplements and radio advertising, distribution of ACA education materials (including a custom Urban Call publication), social media, participation in community events and one-on-one enrollment assistance. Garrett Bolden, Goler CDC CFO, said, “All help provided through this initiative will be free. To get help obtaining Affordable Care Act insurance, call the Goler Contact Center at (336) 355-5726 or e-mail aca@golercdc.com.”
Dr. Tunde Sotunde elected president & CEO of BCBSNC Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina’s Board of Trustees elected Tunde Sotunde MD, MBA, FAAP as its new President and CEO. “Dr. Sotunde has a remarkable record of leadership and accomplishment,” said Trustees Chairman Frank Holding. Dr. Sotunde said, “I’ll bring the perspective of a physician, a patient and health plan leader to our work alongside our employees every day to help
Dr. Tunde Sotunde, president & CEO, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
make health care better, simpler and more affordable. My family and I look forward to calling North Carolina home and serving its vibrant communities.” Dr. Sotunde previously served as President, Medicaid Business Unit, of Anthem Inc.’s Government Business Division. He oversaw Anthem’s Medicaid and related state government business across 23 states and the District of Columbia with 7.3 million members and $33 billion in revenue, Dr. Sotunde is a graduate of University of Ibadan College of Medicine in Nigeria (1988) and Howard University’s Hospital Residency Program in Pediatrics (1995). He completed his Executive MBA at the University of Memphis (2001) and studied health care management at the Wharton School of Business (2003).
URBAN CALL — HEALTHY LIVING EVERY DAY!
Meet the SMSi ACA Licensed and Certified Agent Team Here is the team of experienced Agent Ambassadors who are available at no cost to help you get health insurance now and to be your agent year round. All team members are fully licensed by the state and certified by the federal government to provide expert assistance.
Mentoring champions Athlete and Entrepreneur Magic Johnson raises funds for a single-disease communitybased organizations dealing with HIV/AIDS education and prevention programs. Media Star & Owner Oprah Winfrey uses her personal money to fund education, learning and leadership development projects for youth globally. Entertainers Beyoncé and JAY-Z are giving $1.1 million to Boys & Girls Clubs of America for college to change teenagers’ lives.
Constance Baker Harris (336) 965-4140 constance harris@live.com
Natalie Nicholson (336) 624-3183 natnic25@gmail. com
Charlie Bethea (336) 414-0032 bfsinsureme@gmail. com
Sharon Lyles (336) 422-0224 SharonKLylesBusiness @gmail.com
Alvin Borders (336) 987-1256 bordersalvin@yahoo. com
Debra Shore (336) 813-2049 shoreweb@ bellsouth.net
Yvette Canty 336-491-4552 ycanty62@gmail. com
John Wall (704) 905-4451 jfwall50@ hotmail.com
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Sandra Miller Jones (336) 414-0905 smjones@ smsi-net.com
Talaya Loyd (336) 734-9196 taloyd5@gmail.com
NC Legal Aid provides free help for families, individuals Legal Aid of North Carolina is a state wide, nonprofit law firm that provides free legal services in civil matters to low-income people in order to ensure equal access to justice and to remove legal barriers to economic opportunity. Among other services, the organization helps individuals (especially rural residents, AfricanAmericans and Hispanics) obtain health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also called Obama Care. Legal Aid also provides many other free services, such as helping to secure protective orders for victims of domestic violence, helping to stop illegal convictions and fighting aggressive and illegal debt collection tactics. To reach the Forsyth County office, dial 1-800-660-6663.
The Goler Contact Center was developed to increase communication with constituents and community partners relative to resources that are available to address their particular situation. This phone and email service became increasingly important through the COVID-19 pandemic as face to face contact has been minimized due to concerns about the spread of the virus. Call: 336-355-5726 Email: aca@golercdc.com
The Every.Black Entrepreneur Podcast Network The Every.Black Entrepreneur Podcast Network is a small business owners coalition using decades of experience to educate and create wealth through entrepreneurship, technology and strategic global networking. The network regularly airs 19 shows monthly reaching thousands listeners in 30 countries. One of the weekly podcasts, The Healthy Entrepreneur radio show, which addresses the health concerns of entrepreneurs, interviewed founder Sandra Miller Jones of Healthy Living Solutions, Inc., a 40-year-old Marketing Company, on the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) benefits. Access the podcast at www.Entrepreneurship.Black.
Jimmy Davies Founder, Every. Black
Tiffany Parker, Host, The Healthy Entrepreneur
American Heart Association is saving lives right here in our community AHA is currently funding research grants at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and NC A&T University totaling more than $1.3 million. • Nationally, AHA’s research projects currently total $462 million and support 1,641 awardees. • In spring 2020, AHA quickly announced it was investing a minimum of $2.5 million in cardiovascular research to help coronavirus patients. This fast-tracked scientific research allowed us to better understand COVID19 and its interaction with cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular diseases. Additionally, the AHA announced that more than $14 million in scientific research grants . • In spring 2021, we awarded the final installment, totaling $100,000, to Winston-Salem State University through our Urban Health Accelerator grant program for community health projects. • AHA Mobile Kitchen, led by Chef N’Gai Dickerson, provided mass food relief to over 10,000 Triad families as part of our Healthy Blue Mobile Teaching Kitchen initiative.
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Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust leader committed to community welfare Kate Bitting Reynolds established the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust in 1947 to improve the quality of life and health of residence with low incomes throughout North Carolina. As the current president of the Trust, Dr. Gerald leads strategic direction and is responsible for overall management of the Trust. She represents the trust and takes a leadership role in philanthropy at the state and national level. “My proudest accomplishments are those of the Trust, including, after 70 years, setting a new strategic direction to achieve Mrs. Reynolds’ vision. I am excited that everything we do—our grantmaking, our messaging, and even our website—remain consistent with Mrs. Reynolds’ values, to inform our success today.” said Dr. Gerald. “I work every day to ensure the Trust’s investments achieve Mrs. Reynolds vision of improving the health and quality of life of North Carolinians.” Dr. Gerald is a former North Carolina State Health Director and Director of the Division of Public Health. A graduate of Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Dr. Gerald recently received the David T. Tayloe Sr. Award for Outstanding Community Service from the North Carolina Pediatrics Society. The Kate B. Reynolds (KBR) charitable Trust has more than $560 million in assets. In 2019, KBR awarded more than $23 million in grants to improve the health and quality of life of residents in Forsyth County and around the state of North
Open to all renters in Forsyth County with a household income 80 percent or less of area median income. See chart on other side. Applications now being accepted! Apply online at Forsyth.cc/ERAP (fastest) or call 1-855-836-6776.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program Winston-Salem and Forsyth County have received federal Open totoallassist renterslow-income in Forsyth County will a household 80 funds residents who income are behind on percent or less of area median income. See complete eligibility their rent or utilities because of the COVID-19 pandemic. information on other side. Dr. Laura Gerald is the president of the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust.
Carolina. The Trust focuses on outcomes, rather than issues to achieve long-term, sustainable change. It supports promising programs, systems change work, and innovative ideas that help residents and communities thrive, increase equitable access to health care, and achieve equitable health outcomes.
Wake Forest Sticht Center The Wake Forest Baptist Sticht Center for Healthy Aging and Alzheimer’s Prevention philosophy: Create an environment where dedicated professionals work together to discover new ways to achieve and maintain both body and brain health for older adults. Our goal is the support older adults: Live safely and independently, • Remain engaged and productive, and • Enjoy the highest quality of life possible on their terms! To learn more about: • Studies focused on achieving and
PANDEMIC RENT AND UTILITIES ASSISTANCE FOR LOW–INCOME RESIDENTS
•
•
maintaining a healthy body, call: 336-713-8539 Studies focused on preserving brain health and preventing Alzheimer’s disease, call: 336-716MIND (6463) The Memory Counseling Program, call: 336-713-2213
The program assistance and bills for INCOMEoffers LIMITS FOR HOUSEHOLDpaying SIZES 1 TOrent 8 utilities, including electricity, water & sewer, natural gas, 1 2 3 4 propane and internet. $23,400 $26,750 $30,100 $33,400 $37,400 $42,750 $48,100 $53,400 Eligibility: 8 • Affected by the economic5 impact6 of the7 coronavirus pandemic. income 80$36,100 • Household percent$38,750 or less$41,450 of area$44,100 median income. See chart on other side. $57,700 $61,950 $66,250 $70,500 • Behind in utility or rent payments. • Named on a lease or utilityYouaccount. Required Documentation: will need to provide the following documents to verify your • Qualifies for unemployment OReligibility: household experienced a reduction • Current driver’s license or government-issued in income (furlough or other reduction in hours) dueIDtoforCOVID-19. applicant and co-applicant. • Incurred significant costs or financial hardships due to COVID-19.
• Signed lease agreement (all pages). •Priority Narrativefor of financial hardship due to COVID-19 (can be assistance: termination email or letter, proof of unemployment, etc.). • Households with an income of 50% or less of Area Median Income. • Proof of income for all household members. Households have been unemployed •• Eviction noticethat or late rental payment notice. for 90 days or more due to COVID-19. • Utility statements showing past-due amount in renter’s name. Households with a court eviction pending. •• Documentation of other federal assistance received, if any.
See moreonline details onattheForsyth.cc/ERAP back. Apply (fastest) or call 1-855-836-6776
URBAN CALL — HEALTHY LIVING EVERY DAY!
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Forsyth County Public Library connects people and purpose By Library Director Brian Hart
Club in order to offer people an avenue for social interaction. Club participants read A young woman newly released from within a particular theme each month and prison receives encouraging words and the then gather on Zoom. A recent social justice coat off a peer support specialist’s back. A theme led participants to discuss what they’d man follows his wife into free read and ways to advocate for computer classes and recently people who are marginalized. earned a promotion at work. While we consider it an A father who homeschools his important part of our mission son comes in for help with his to serve as a meeting ground for son’s education. big ideas that the community is wrestling with, we rejoice equally Even before the COVID-19 in playing a role in helping pandemic reshaped institutions individuals move their lives across the country, the Forsyth forward. County Public Library system One of our teachers in the was reinventing itself. We like Computer Training Bridge to say that we connect people Brian Hart program, which provides free and purpose. Library Director classes in everything from We’re no longer just Google to genealogy, began providers of books and working with a couple a few years ago at our information, though we’re more than happy Carver School Road Branch. After taking to recommend and check out books for Canva and Publisher classes, the woman now you. Our 10 branches serve as community centers, where people can harness creates her church newsletter. Her husband knowledge or just relax. took classes in Microsoft Word and Google This year as the world continues to Drive, and recently earned a promotion at reopen, our goal is to keep the momentum work. going by providing enriching opportunities Shawn Williams uses the library, for you to venture outside – of your homes particularly the Clemmons Branch, to and your comfort zones. support the homeschooling of his son, Alex. Last summer, we launched Lounging “Storytime was invaluable for Alex and With the Library, a discussion series led by helped me know what kinds of books to get staff, that brought together grassroots and my son, which helped him learn to read at established leaders to discuss inequities in an early age,” he said. “The interaction with libraries, law enforcement, housing, food other kids was great for him too.” and healthcare. That series has continued Joes Perez, our peer support specialist, this year with discussions on mental health connects people to community services, and the LGBTQIA+ community, with more and just as often serves as a sounding board topics to come and source of support to some of our most Central Library hosted an exhibit of local vulnerable customers. On a cold December photographers for Black History Month. day, he once gave an extra coat he had to a Owens Daniels, Bobby Roebuck and Ashley woman who stopped by his office at Central Johnson explored culture and identity in Library with nothing more than a light their art. jacket. Maryanna Ponce, a library assistant at Everyone who comes through our doors the Malloy/Jordan East Winston Heritage has a story to tell. We love to hear your Center brings the library to the community stories and we love to be a part of them. in a number of ways. You’ll often find Whether you’re looking for education, her on our bookmobile visiting apartment enlightenment or escape from daily life, complexes and recreation centers. Last June there’s a place for you at FCPL. We hope to she established the Reader’s Choice Book see you soon.
Connecting People and Purpose • Lounging With the Library discussions with community leaders examine social inequities • Nonprofit Resource Center and Small Business Resources provide help for entrepreneurs • Computer Training Bridge classes promote digital literacy in the workforce • Free online and outdoor tai chi, yoga classes support health and wellness for all ages
Ten branches, two bookmobiles and a virtual branch that’s open 24/7 at www.forsyth.cc/library
www.forsyth.cc/library
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COVID-19 FAQs Forsyth County Health Dept. Director Joshua Swift shares virus facts For how long will the vaccine protect me from COVID-19? Since the Pfizer and Moderna trials just ended, we know that the vaccines can protect people from COVID-19 illness for at least two months. We’ll know even more about how long the immunity from the vaccines lasts as people have been vaccinated for a longer period of time. With additional data, we will know if COVID-19 vaccines will need to be given yearly, like the flu shot. Are there side effects from the vaccines? Joshua Swift No serious side effects were reported in clinical trials. Director, Forsyth County Health Dept. Temporary reactions after receiving the vaccine may include a sore arm, headache or feeling tired and achy for a day or two and in some cases, fever. These temporary reactions were more common after the second vaccine dose. In most cases, these temporary reactions are normal, which are good signs that your body is building protection. You can take medicines like Tylenol or ibuprofen to help with these temporary reactions. While extremely rare, there have been a few cases of severe allergic reaction to the Pfizer vaccine outside of the clinical trials, and vaccine providers are prepared with medicines if they need to treat these rare allergic reactions. Do people who have had COVID-19 still need to be vaccinated? Yes. Due to the severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and the fact that re-infection with COVID-19 is possible, vaccine should be offered to you regardless of whether you already had COVID-19 infection. CDC is providing recommendations to federal, state, and local governments about who should be vaccinated first. At this time, experts do not know how long someone is protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. Why do I need to get a vaccine if I can practice other things like social distancing to prevent the COVID-19 virus from spreading? Vaccines work to prepare your body to fight the virus if you are exposed to it. Other steps, like the 3Ws - wear a mask, wait 6 feet apart and wash your hands, help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others. Getting the COVID-19 vaccine and following the 3Ws is everyone’s best protection from getting and spreading COVID-19.
Which chronic conditions put someone at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, making them a higher priority for vaccination? The CDC defines the chronic medical conditions that put someone at higher risk of severe illness from COVID19. Currently, the list includes cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), heart conditions (heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies), immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant, pregnancy, sickle cell disease, smoking and type 2 diabetes mellitus. What are the ingredients in the COVID-19 vaccines? The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines use mRNA to give the cells in your body the instructions to make a protein that safely teaches your body how to make an antibody to fight the real COVID-19. Your body destroys the mRNA and gets rid of it. It doesn’t stay nor does it alter any DNA in your body. The only other ingredients in the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are salt, sugar and fat. The two COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States do not contain eggs, preservatives, fetal tissue, stem cells, mercury or latex. How long does it take for the vaccine to work? The vaccines provide their full protection from COVID-19 two weeks after receiving the second dose. Will the vaccine work against new variants of the COVID-19 virus? All viruses change over time and these changes (or variants) are expected. Scientists are currently working
to learn more about new COVID-19 variants and their effects on vaccines. We do know that some of the new variants spread more easily. Therefore, it is important to keep practicing the 3Ws—washing your hands, waiting six feet apart and wearing a mask around people you don’t live with. What should you do after you have been vaccinated? Continue practicing the 3 Ws - wearing a mask, waiting 6 feet apart, washing your hands - as well as limiting gatherings. The vaccine does not provide full protection until two weeks after the second dose. The vaccine is very effective to prevent becoming ill from COVID-19, though scientists are still studying how often vaccinated individuals can become infected with the COVID-19 virus or pass the virus to others. Vaccinated people need to still think of themselves as potential virus spreaders. Share your positive vaccine experience with others! Show people that you trust the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines. Why are two vaccine shots necessary? The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two shots a set number of days apart. You need two doses to build up strong immunity against COVID-19. The goal of the first vaccine dose is to “prime” the immune response, which means that it gets your body ready to have the best protection. The second dose “boosts” the immune response to be fully protected. The second shot will come about 3-4 weeks after the first. It is important to get two doses of the same vaccine. With two shots, both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine are 95% effective in preventing COVID-19.
URBAN CALL — HEALTHY LIVING EVERY DAY!
Join the rapidly growing IT industry. TECHNICAL TRAINING | EMPLOYABILITY COACHING | STUDENT SUPPORT
NOW
ENROLLING
CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ Certification Course Become qualified for entry level IT positions:
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
DATA ENTRY
SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATION
To be considered for the TechCareers program, applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have a minimum high school diploma or GED. Applicants should reside in Forsyth or surrounding counties and be unemployed or underemployed. Financial aid and scholarships are available for students who are considered financially disadvantaged. Prior experience in Information Technology is not required, but applicants should have a strong interest in IT and must be willing to work diligently towards industry-recognized certifications.
Visit techcareers2020.com and submit our interest form for more information. pwilliford@golercdc.com | 336.761.0595 x 105
A Program of Goler Community Development Corporation
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PAGE 8 URBAN CALL — HEALTHY LIVING EVERY DAY!