Aging While Black Blog
In This Moment – Look to the Elders!
In times of rapid change and uncertainty, we often find ourselves searching for a sense of stability and direction. Amid this quest, we sometimes overlook one of our most profound sources of wisdom and resilience: our elders. For Black elders especially, whose lives...
Transforming the Aging Landscape: A Vibrant Network in Action
At Aging While Black, we exist to transform the aging landscape by cultivating a vibrant network of partners, innovations, and opportunities that centers Black elders. Through my eyes, I see this purpose coming to life—a vibrant network emerging in every corner of our...
Three Important Words
At Aging While Black, we envision a society where Black elders are celebrated, supported, and empowered to thrive. This vision is inspired by the lives of individuals like my great grandparents, Walter and Rebecca Whitfield. Growing up next door to them, their impact...
awB with Jo Ann Jenkins Part II
We are thrilled to share the second and final part of our conversation with AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins. In part 1, we discussed Jenkins’ experience as a dynamic leader in the space, her thoughts on how we strengthen this community and really support Aging Black...
awB with Jo Ann Jenkins – Part 1
Recently, we had the privilege of engaging Jo Ann Jenkins, CEO of AARP, around Aging While Black. Jo Ann brings a unique perspective to this work as a Black woman who leads not only a major organization dedicated to aging, but also the largest non-profit, nonpartisan...
Break Out the Shades: Bright Future Ahead
In a world where change is the only constant, the Aging While Black (awB) community has stood as a beacon of hope, resilience, and empowerment for Black elders across the country. As we reflect on the past year, we're filled with excitement and gratitude for the...
Why I Am Convinced We Are On To Something Big!
Whatever my expectations were when we launched Aging While Black (awB) in February, they have been far exceeded by what has transpired. The enthusiastic response, unsolicited expressions of interest and the deep levels of engagement have been positively overwhelming....
The Movement Includes You, Too!
The energy in the room seemed to rise with each minute of the 10 I spoke. I was at Southern University, a HBCU in my hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, last month to give a TEDx talk introducing the ideas behind Aging While Black (#awB). Afterwards, a millennial said...