URBAN CALL — HEALTHY LIVING EVERY DAY!
Take action. Protect your health. Get vaccinated. Sandra Miller Jones
SMSi Healthy Living Solutions, Inc. Founder & CEO
Lafayette Jones
Publisher, Urban Call; SMSi-Urban Call Marketing, Inc. President & CEO
The American Heart Association’s top priority is the health and well-being of you and your family today and in the future. Every person. Every community. Everywhere. We can only do it with you – set your heart to it, commit to being as healthy as you can be. Without a COVID19 vaccine, your health is at risk. By overcoming hesitation and taking action, you will protect your personal health and play an important part in eradicating COVID-19. The American Heart Association – which has been carefully tracking COVID-
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Giving Back
12 Humana Gift Card
COVID-19 Medical Experts
Dr. Anthony Fauci
Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett
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COVID-19 complications. If you are living with one or more of these conditions, it’s important to talk to your doctor about how a COVID-19 vaccine can help prevent you from getting the virus. A COVID-19 vaccination will protect you, your family and your community. To eliminate the virus and get back to normal, the American Heart Association encourages everyone to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible. Everyone has a responsibility. Everyone has a role. Together, we got this!
Making an impact: Committed to fighting coronavirus
Angela Bassett
Inside...
19 and its disproportionately negative effects on older adults; people with underlying medical conditions; and Black, LatinX and American Indian/Alaska Native people – strongly encourages everyone to get vaccinated with any approved COVID19 vaccine. The best researchers and medical experts in the country urge you to get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it is available to you to help eliminate the pandemic. A recent scientific study found that obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and heart failure were four of the top risks for
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$75 Monthly Allowance for Groceries
Each one, reach one. Stopping COVID-19! We all know that word-ofmouth is the most powerful way to spread the word about any subject. That’s why SMSi Healthy Living Solutions is seeking corporate and organization sponsors to help us build a network of more than 100 paid Forsyth County Community Health Ambassadors to share real facts with their family, friends and neighbors about how to mitigate and prevent COVID-19. Of course step one is getting vaccinated. Available vaccines are safe and effective, and
To get more information on COVID-19 prevention services contact: Call the Goler Contact Center at (336) 355-5726, Email: aca@golercdc.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
PAGE 2 URBAN CALL — HEALTHY LIVING EVERY DAY!
Committed to making a difference in our communities
Triad AHA Marketing & Communications
Chef N’Gai pivoted American Heart Association Triad’s traditional Mobile Teaching Kitchen efforts to address mass food relief during the COVID-19 pandemic, partnering with local organizations to cook and deliver meals to nearly 3,000 families each week with Out of the Garden Project, Homegrown Heroes, Wake Forest Baptist Health, and Second Harvest Food Bank partnerships. Also pictured is Kandace Redd with WFMY News 2.
As Chief Diversity Officer for the American Heart Association (AHA), Gerald brings a wealth of experience in building brands and driving Gerald Johnson sales results for Executive VP: Office of Health great brands including Lever Equity & Chief Diversity Officer 2000, Oreo, Chips Ahoy, Dr Pepper, 7-UP, Snapple, Healthy Choice, Orville Redenbacher and Earvin “Magic” Johnson at fortune 100 companies including Unilever,
Nabisco, Cadbury Schweppes, Dr. Pepper/7-UP, ConAgra Foods and Magic Johnson Enterprises. During his tenure he’s held various leadership positions in Marketing, most recently as Chief Marketing Officer for Magic Johnson Enterprises and the Magic Johnson Foundation with accountability for leading marketing across all businesses, as well as driving revenue and sales for Strategic Alliances, Licensing and Fund Raising. An industry leader and sought out speaker, Gerald currently holds responsibility as Chair of the Sponsorship and Event Marketing Committee for the Association of
National Advertisers (ANA) and other advisory board roles. From a volunteer leadership perspective, Gerald is committed to making a difference in communities nationally by serving on committees and boards over the years at The American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Catholic Big Brothers/ Big Sisters and Meals on Wheels.
American Heart Association champions Actress and activist
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
Angela Bassett
Attorney, author, advocate, TV personality
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, Downey Digital, LLC Photographer/Videographer: Donevan Cherry, CherVeli Media Financial Services: Roslyn Hickman Warehouse, Collation & Shipping Manager: Vincent Harris
Dr. Corbett
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
Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett is saving the world as a leading force behind the COVID-19 vaccine. A North Carolina native and UNC graduate, she is the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) lead scientist for coronavirus vaccine research. She is part of a team that worked with the biotechnology company Moderna on its safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine.
AHA Chief Medical Officer for Prevention
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
Angela Bassett, who stars in the TV show “9-1-1” and in recent blockbuster movies “Black Panther” and “Mission: Impossible – Fallout,” is AHA spokesperson for the For Your SweetHeart awareness campaign, “Losing my mother, the person who encouraged me to pursue my lifelong dream of becoming an actress, was a wake-up call to start talking about the risk of heart disease with my family members.”
Dr. Fauci
Dr. Anthony Stephen Fauci an American physician-scientist and immunologist serving as the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and the Chief Medical Advisor to President Biden. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he has served as one of the lead members the White House Coronavirus Task Force and its COVID-19 Response Team.
Jimmy Davies Founder, Every.Black
Cynthia Williams Brown, PhD, Triad AHA Board Chair
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 weekly reaching thousands of listeners in 30 countries. A weekly podcast, The Healthy Entrepreneur, hosted by Tiffany Parker, interviewed Urban Call Publisher Lafayette Jones and Cynthia Williams Brown, PhD, Chair of the American Heart Association NC Triad Board , on COVID-19 and heart disease. Williams is also Chair Department: Health, P.E. and Sports Studies at Winston-Salem State University. Access the podcast at www. Entrepreneurship.Black.
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 Even before the COVID-19 wrestling with, we rejoice equally pandemic reshaped institutions in playing a role in helping across the country, the Forsyth individuals move their lives County Public Library system forward. was reinventing itself. We like One of our teachers in the to say that we connect people Computer Training Bridge Brian Hart and purpose. program, which provides free Library Director We’re no longer just classes in everything from providers of books and Google to genealogy, began information, though we’re more than happy working with a couple a few years ago at our to recommend and check out books for Carver School Road Branch. After taking you. Our 10 branches serve as community Canva and Publisher classes, the woman now 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
PAGE 4 URBAN CALL — HEALTHY LIVING EVERY DAY!
PROTECT YOURSELF, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY. Get a safe, effective and free COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more at YourSpotYourShot.nc.gov COVID-19 Vaccination Help Center, toll-free at 888-675-4567.
NC Department of Health and Human Services • YourSpotYourShot.nc.gov NCDHHS is an equal opportunity employer and •provider. • 02/2021 NC Department of Health and Human Services YourSpotYourShot.nc.gov NCDHHS is an equal opportunity employer and provider. • 02/2021
Those at greatestURBAN riskCALL of serious complications or death are: — HEALTHY LIVING EVERY DAY!
Making an impact against COVID-19 with Stroke survivors Why we’rePeople committed to fighting coronavirus Making an impact against COVID-19 coronary heart may have a
People with diabetes
Why we’redisease committed to fighting coronavirus or high higher risk of blood pressure
75% 75%
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complications
of people hospitalized with COVID-19 had a high-risk condition of people hospitalized with COVID-19 had a high-risk condition People with severe Those at greatest risk of serious complications or death are: obesity (BMI of 40 People with orThose higher).at greatest risk of serious complications compromised or death are: People with coronary heart People with disease or high coronary heart blood pressure disease or high and People age 65+ blood pressure
People with severe obesity (BMI of 40 People with severe or higher). obesity (BMI of 40 or higher).
People with serious chronic lung, liver or People serious kidneywith conditions chronic lung, liver or kidney conditions
and People age 65+
•
Fear of going out to get treatment/calling 911
•
Limited access to healthy food options, prescriptions and supplies
Source: https://www.heart.org/en/news/2020/02/27/what-heartpatients-should-know-about-coronavirus https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/ people-at-higher-risk.html
More people with heart
diabetes People with diabetes
The long-term effects of COVID-19
and People age 65+
More people with heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure are at risk
immune systems People with
Stroke survivors may have a Stroke risk survivors of People higher with serious may have a complications chronic lung, liver or higher risk of kidney conditions complications
People with compromised People with immune compromised systems immune systems
The long-term effects of COVID-19 Increases in unhealthy The long-term effects of COVID-19 Increases the burden for stay-at-home habits
those with the greatest need
•
High stress
•
Eating more unhealthy meals
•
Limited income due to layoffs or furloughs
•
Not being physically active
•
Lack of savings
•
Could lead to future cases of obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes
•
Restricted access to public transportation
•
Lack of free school meals
Increases in unhealthy
Increases the burden for
PAGE 6 URBAN CALL — HEALTHY LIVING EVERY DAY!
STAY CONNECTED to Combat Loneliness and Social Isolation
Ideas for staying connected
Find an activity that you enjoy or learn something new. You might have fun and meet people with similar interests.
Feeling lonely and being isolated are bad for your health. Loneliness and social isolation are associated with higher rates of depression, a weakened immune system, heart disease, dementia, and early death.*
Get moving! Exercise decreases stress, boosts your mood, and increases your energy.
Volunteer. You’ll feel better by helping others.
Stay in touch with family, friends, and neighbors in person, online, or by phone.
Are you at risk?
Try to stay active and better connected if you: • live alone or can’t leave your home • feel alone or disconnected from others • recently had a major loss or change • are a caregiver • lack a sense of purpose
Consider adopting a pet. Animals can be a source of comfort and may also lower stress and blood pressure.
For more information about preventing loneliness and social isolation, visit https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/participating-activities-you-enjoy.
National Institute on Aging
*Cacioppo JT, Hawkley LC. Perceived social isolation and cognition. Trends Cogn Sci. 2009;13(10):447-54.
URBAN CALL — HEALTHY LIVING EVERY DAY!
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PAGE 8 URBAN CALL — HEALTHY LIVING EVERY DAY! Accessible version https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/symptom-screening.html
STOP THE SPREAD OF GERMS | COVID-19 |
Get a COVID-19 vaccine.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
6 ft Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths) from other people.
When in public, wear a mask over your nose and mouth.
Do not touch your eyes, nose, and mouth.
American HeartG Association is saving lives in W our community f(
B
W E
S AHA is currently funding research f grants at Wake Forest Baptist Medical g Center, the University of North Carolina t at Greensboro, and NC A&T University totaling more than $1.3 i million. Nationally, AHA’s W research projects currently s total $462 million and i support 1,641 awardees. t In spring 2020, AHA w quickly announced it was s investing a minimum of “ $2.5 million in cardiovascular research to help coronavirus patients. This fast-tracked scientific research allowed us to better understand COVID-19 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, AHA awarded the final installment, totaling $100,000, to Winston-Salem State University through our Urban Health Accelerator grant program for community health projects.
AHA champion Star Jones Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
cdc.gov/coronavirus CS 316917-AM | 07/08/2021
Star Jones, former co-host of the talk show “The View,” continues to sound the alarm about heart disease in women. A decade after open heart surgery, Jones remains dedicated to raising Star Jones awareness of the ways to detect, prevent and treat heart disease, especially among women.
URBAN CALL — HEALTHY LIVING EVERY DAY!
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Gauging the effects of COVID-19 on minority communities By John Railey
WSSU’S CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF ECONOMIC MOBILITY (CSEM)
As the COVID-19 pandemic raged, Winston-Salem State University’s Center for the Study of Economic Mobility (CSEM) confronted it. Zagros MadjdSadjadi, CSEM’s Senior Research Fellow for Regional Economics, launched a groundbreaking project researching how the pandemic was affecting Black and Hispanic communities through factors including economic mobility. His team sent out 18,000 surveys in the Winston-Salem metropolitan area in the spring and summer of this year. Analysis is pending. Madjd-Sadjadi said many of those surveyed were glad the crucial issue was being researched. “They were pleased someone was looking into this,” he said. “This is a perfect time to study all this, and to shed some long-
lasting light on these issues, allowing us to generate a rich source of data. This data will not only help inform us in the current period, but will serve as a rich dataset that can be used for future research in conjunction with 2020 Census data as it comes out over the next few years.” The project underscored the innovative efforts of CSEM Fellows, including going beyond the campus walls by partnering with talent, ranging from community groups to a renowned survey expert to committed students. That expert, Enrico Marcelli of San Diego State University, a respected demographer of surveys of vulnerable populations in Boston, Los Angeles, and San Diego, said: “CSEM is one of those rare places where researchers are unembarrassed, in fact enthusiastic, about working directly with local residents and community-based organizations to investigate topics often considered only
separately and sometimes by government agencies or mainstream academics.” Funding for the project came from a $1 million grant from the University of North Carolina Board of Governors and the N.C. Policy Collaboratory at UNCChapel Hill to combat COVID-19, part of six $1million awards going to the UNC system’s six historically minority-serving institutions. In addition to Marcelli, Madjd-Sadjadi brought in Michael Zeoli, a WSSU MBA graduate, to serve as project manager for the interns and paid researchers, supporting four WSSU students. Denzel Hanes and Yasmine Mitchell, business majors, served as CSEM interns. Joselyn Sixtos-Aguirre, a senior nursing student, and Edith Gonzalez, a junior nursing student, served as paid researchers. The team worked with Latino Community Services and Neighbors for Better
Alvin Atkinson, Community Engagement Lead and Associate Director
Our Goals • To Cultivate a Greater Sense of Community throughout neighborhoods East of Highway 52
Neighborhoods, two nonprofits with deep local roots. Marcelli said: “Gathering information about how various socioeconomic domains of life (e.g., home,work, social networks, access to health care) influence – or at least are associated with -- how COVID-19 is affecting minority communities is not typically a high priority. Knowing what percentage of this or that community has been adversely affected by COVID is important, as is whether folks have health insurance and access to medical care. But a deeper dive into the social determinants of health requires the collection of data about COVID cases as well as how and where people live and work. In short, CSEM is engaging this kind of research -- that which is potentially transformative and healing rather than merely informational.”
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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
URBAN CALL — HEALTHY LIVING EVERY DAY!
PAGE 11
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.
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