CMG Spotlight: Food Is Medicine – Edwards Street Fellowship Center Brings Fresh Solutions to Diabetes Care in Hattiesburg

Community Micro-Grant Spotlight: Food is Medicine – Edwards Street Fellowship Center Brings Fresh Solutions to Diabetes Care in Hattiesburg

In Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Edwards Street Fellowship Center has long been a place where compassion meets action. Through its Fellowship Health Clinic, the Center provides free medical, dental, and pharmaceutical care for uninsured and underinsured adults in Forrest and Lamar counties. Every service, every interaction, shines with the Center’s mission to extend a helping hand to those who need it most and to reflect the light of faith.

The Forge AHEAD Center is proud to support this mission through a Community Micro-Grant awarded to Edwards Street Fellowship Center for their project, “FOOD IS MEDICINE: Health Outcomes Based on Consistent Access to Fresh Produce for Diabetic, Obese, and/or Hypertensive Patients of a Free Clinic.” This initiative puts fresh fruits and vegetables directly into the hands of patients who need them most and tracks how that access supports their health.

A Fresh Approach to Managing Chronic Conditions

For many of the Fellowship Health Clinic’s patients, barriers to health are not just medical; they are practical. Every patient in the program qualifies as low-income, and consistent access to fresh, quality food is a daily challenge. This reality makes managing conditions like diabetes and hypertension especially difficult.

That is where the Food Is Medicine project comes in. As the start of the project, ten patients diagnosed with diabetes and/or hypertension are receiving produce vouchers to redeem at a local grocery store. In addition to their free medications and supplies, participants meet regularly with registered nurse educators, including volunteer professionals, instructors, and nursing students from the University of Southern Mississippi, for personalized chronic condition education.

Through these one-on-one sessions, patients learn how diet, exercise, and daily habits directly influence their health. Graduate students from the University’s nutrition program have also joined in, providing individualized nutrition consultations, diabetic cookbooks, and “My Plate” portion control tools to help patients put new habits into practice.

Tracking Health, Building Hope

This project is about more than providing resources; it is about measuring real change. Over a twelve-month period, the team is tracking each participant’s weight, A1C levels, and blood pressure to assess how consistent access to fresh produce impacts their overall health. So far, results are promising, and the enthusiasm is contagious.

“Our patients are delighted to receive their fresh produce vouchers,” said Ann McCullen, Executive Director of Edwards Street Fellowship Center. “The grocery store we partner with provides detailed receipts for every voucher, so we know patients are buying fruits and vegetables and enjoying them.”

Monthly check-ins for weight and blood pressure, along with quarterly A1C tracking, are painting a clear picture of how nutritional support translates into improved outcomes. The team has also shared the project’s progress with community groups, donors, and board members, sparking broader conversations around food access in Hattiesburg.

Nourishing Bodies and Communities

While the data collection continues, the project has already achieved something powerful: it has connected the dots between food security, education, and long-term health. It has also shown how collaborative community partnerships between local organizations and universities can drive meaningful change at the local level.

As National Diabetes Month shines a spotlight on prevention and management, Edwards Street Fellowship Center’s work is a timely reminder that health starts with access to care, to knowledge, and to nutritious food.

“We are grateful for the opportunity for improved health that this Forge AHEAD micro-grant provides for our patients,” McCullen said. “It’s opening doors to better health, one grocery basket at a time.”

The Forge AHEAD Center is honored to partner with community organizations like Edwards Street Fellowship Center to advance health across the Deep South. To learn more about Edwards Street Fellowship Center, visit their website.

Written by: Carol Agomo, Ph.D.

Community Micro-Grant Spotlight: Pinktopps – Building a Healthier Future after Breast Cancer

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to create awareness and honor the millions of lives affected by breast cancer (WHO, 2025). For Alabama’s Pinktopps, this month is also about honoring people who have faced breast cancer and to spotlight programs that help survivors thrive. The Forge AHEAD Center is proud to support Pinktopps Inc. through our Community Micro-Grant Program for their project, “Pinktopps Building a Healthier Future after Breast Cancer”. This community-based wellness initiative focuses on the real work of returning to life as normal as possible, one step at a time.

Pinktopps’ project is exactly the kind of community-first innovation the Forge AHEAD Center aims to lift up. The Center’s efforts place values on programs that are rooted in local culture, led by people with lived experience, and designed to be sustainable beyond the grant period.

Who the program serves and why it matters

Pinktopps targets young survivors and women with limited healthcare access who often face challenges to follow-up care and wellness resources. The program also provides education and support for families and caregivers, so recovery is supported at home. By focusing on younger survivors ages 19 to 45, Pinktopps supports a population that is building families, careers, and community roles while coping with survivorship.

This work matters because the transition from clinic to “life after treatment” is a time requiring increased support. Programs like Pinktopps help survivors move from short-term recovery into long-term wellness through peer-led support, practical skills, and connections to local resources.

A program built from lived experience

Pinktopps was created with the understanding that surviving cancer is not only a clinical journey. It is a life change that touches the body, emotions, relationships, spirit, and daily routines. The program centers lived experience at every level. Facilitators and peer leaders are trained to lead with their own histories in mind. That shared experience creates trust and makes it easier for participants to try new strategies, ask hard questions, and stay engaged. Peer leaders, survivor participants, and family members shape every session and every resource. Their leadership creates programs that are respectful, useful, and ready to be shared across communities.

The program sits on three core principles. First, health promotion that gives survivors practical tools for daily life. Second, community engagement that brings trusted local networks into the work. Third, peer empowerment that values survivor leadership and pushes decision making down to the people the program serves. Together these principles shape a holistic and sustainable model of survivorship care.

The Wellness Wheel: a whole-person curriculum

Pinktopps uses a Wellness Wheel Model that integrates six domains of health. Each domain is taught in ways that are practical, developed with input from community partners to reflect local context, and trauma informed.

Physical Wellness
Strengthening the body through movement adapted from physical therapy principles, good sleep habits, and gentle exercise that meets survivors where they are.

Nutritional Wellness
Practical education on meal planning, cooking on a budget, and ways to use anti-inflammatory foods to support recovery and long-term health.

Emotional Wellness
Group counseling, peer support circles, and journaling workshops that help people process what they have been through and build emotional tools for the future.

Spiritual Wellness
Mindfulness, guided meditation, nature therapy, and gratitude practices that support inner restoration and resilience.

Social Wellness
Safe spaces for social reengagement, relationship building, and reconnecting with family, friends, and community after treatment.

Environmental Wellness
Hands-on activities like growing food, nature-based sessions, and guidance on choosing eco-conscious health products that support a healthier home and neighborhood.

This Breast Cancer Survivor Month, help us spread the word. Share this post with your networks, invite a survivor to a Pinktopps session, or connect a community partner who can help grow the program. When communities and researchers work together, survivors gain both the practical tools and the social support they need to thrive.

Written by: Carol Agomo, Ph.D.

InspireHER Women’s Health Walk: Walking to Wellness

The Forge AHEAD Center is proud to collaborate with community partners to support the InspireHER Women’s Health Walk, taking place on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Black Creek Park in Fultondale, AL. Registration opens at 8:00 a.m., with the program and walk from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

The InspireHER Walk is more than just a morning in the park. It is a celebration of women’s health and wellness, a chance to connect with others, and an opportunity to take steps toward healthier futures. With the theme “Walking to Wellness,” the event invites women, families, and the broader community to come together for a morning of movement, learning, and encouragement.

Group from 2024 InspireHER Walk

Participants will engage with healthcare providers, access health awareness information, and explore practical ways to take charge of their health. October is recognized as Health Literacy Month, which makes this walk even more timely. Attendees will be able to gather resources, ask questions, and strengthen their ability to make informed choices about their health and well-being.

This year, the walk also highlights October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, with an emphasis on lifting up survivors and their stories of strength. As Dr. Angela B. Haynes, CEO of InspireHER Global, shares, “October is a month of both awareness and action. By walking together, we honor the journeys of survivors while standing firm in our commitment to build healthier, safer communities for all women.”

As a planning partner, the Forge AHEAD Center is committed to advancing the message of cardiometabolic health. The walk reflects our shared mission: to promote healthier lifestyles, expand access to health screenings, and support policies that give our community the resources they need to thrive.

Walking improves more than just physical health. It strengthens the heart, reduces stress, boosts mental well-being, and reminds us that a community moving forward together is stronger than any individual walking alone.

We invite you to join us at Black Creek Park on October 18. Together, let’s keep Walking to Wellness and building healthier communities, step by step.

To learn more about InspireHER Global, the walk, and to register, please visit inspireherglobal.com.

Written by: Carol Agomo, Ph.D.

Health Literacy Month: Taking Charge of Your Heart and Health

Vicky, or Ms. V. as many in the neighborhood call her, lives in a small town in Alabama, loves her Sunday gumbo, and keeps the family photo albums on the porch for visitors to see. Last winter she started feeling more tired than usual and sometimes felt lightheaded when she stood up too fast. At first, she blamed it on a busy schedule and caring for her grandchildren. Then her niece, who is a nurse, noticed Vivian’s hands were shaky when she opened a pill bottle and encouraged her to get a checkup.

At her checkup, Ms. V. learned that her blood pressure was higher than it should be. She felt scared and overwhelmed by the numbers and the medical terms. Her niece sat with her during the visit, wrote down what the nurse said, and helped Ms. V. set a reminder to take her medications on her phone. Ms. V. also talked with her pastor, who connected her with the church wellness team. Between her niece, her church friends, and a kind nurse at the clinic, Ms. V. started to feel supported instead of alone.

Over a few months Ms. V. began making small changes. She used a simple pill box, set an alarm for medicine time, and started walking with a neighbor three times a week. At the Sunday potlucks she started asking the cook for a smaller portion and often added a side of greens to her plate. She keeps a little notebook with her blood pressure readings and brings it to appointments. These changes did not happen all at once; they happened step by step with people who cared for her.

Health Literacy Month

The Forge AHEAD Center works with community partners, researchers, and healthcare providers in Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana to reduce cardiometabolic risk and support healthy living. We are sharing these tips for Health Literacy Month because clear information and small, doable steps help people protect their hearts and reduce risk for chronic diseases. This month we want to spotlight simple tools you can use right away that make it easier to take those next steps.

October is Health Literacy Month, a time when communities nationwide focus on making health information easier to find and easier to use. Health literacy is not about being a doctor. It is about understanding health information and using it to make choices that keep you and your family well. For people in the Deep South, where heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes affect many families, stronger health literacy can help turn fear into action.

Download our one-week Health Literacy Month checklist to help you keep track of blood pressure, medicines, and simple steps you can try this week. [Download the checklist]

What health literacy looks like in real life

Health literacy means you can read a prescription label and know when to take it. It means you can understand what your blood sugar and blood pressure numbers mean. It means you feel comfortable asking your doctor or nurse to explain something again in plain language. It also means knowing how to find trustworthy local resources when you need help.

Good health literacy helps prevent cardiometabolic diseases. The good news is that many of the changes that lower risk are within reach and can be easy shifts to make.

Health Literacy Month Checklist

One week. Small steps. Better health.

Use this checklist during Health Literacy Month to build small habits that help prevent heart disease and diabetes. Pick one or two items to start. Check the box when you do each task. Bring this page to your next clinic visit.

Download the checklist

You do not have to be perfect

Prevention is about progress, not perfection. Remembering to take your medicine twice instead of zero times or walking 10 minutes more each day are all wins. Share what you learn with a neighbor or a community group. That ripple can help families across your town stay healthier.

Ms. V. did not change everything at once. She asked simple questions, leaned on her niece and her church friends, and kept a small notebook of her blood pressure readings. Over time those steps became habits that protect her heart and health.

Download our one-week Health Literacy Month checklist to help you keep track of blood pressure, medicines, and simple steps you can try this week. [Download the checklist]

Written by: Carol Agomo, Ph.D.

Forge AHEAD Center announces 2025 Community Microgrant awardees improving health in the Deep South

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Sept. 25, 2025) – The Forge AHEAD Center awarded six community-based organizations through its 2025 Community Microgrant Program. The program, administered in partnership with the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS), provides up to $10,000 in funding to support innovative, community-driven projects that address pressing health challenges in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.

The Community Microgrant Program recognizes that local organizations are often best positioned to identify needs, build trust and lead change. By investing directly in community partners, Forge AHEAD affirms its commitment to supporting organizations that bring deep knowledge, cultural understanding and long-standing relationships to their work.

“We are proud to partner with CCTS to invest in local organizations whose work reflects the needs and priorities of their communities,” said Andrea Cherrington, M.D., MPH, UAB director of the Division of General Internal Medicine and Population Science, and Forge AHEAD multiple principal investigator. “These projects are powerful examples of how grassroots leadership can make a real difference in people’s lives.”

2025 Awardees

El Pueblo (Mississippi): Bilingual hypertension self-management program tailored for limited English proficient adults, with education, goal-setting and weekly support.
Edward Street Fellowship Center (Mississippi): Food Is Medicine initiative integrating monthly produce vouchers and clinical monitoring for patients with diabetes and hypertension.
BirthWell Partners (Alabama): Expansion of postpartum care with free doula and lactation services for low-income families, training a new workforce of doulas and educators.
Pinktopps (Alabama): Survivorship program for young breast cancer survivors, offering wellness education and mental health support.
Metromorphosis (Louisiana): Resident-led community garden project to increase access to healthy food, reduce neighborhood blight, and build local leadership.
Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants (Louisiana): Development of a maternal health risk assessment tool co-designed with immigrant and refugee women to improve maternal health outcomes.

Throughout the year, the Forge AHEAD Center will provide technical assistance, evaluation tools, and opportunities for peer learning. This ongoing collaboration reflects the center’s belief that lasting solutions emerge when universities and communities work together, with communities leading the way.

“These organizations are at the forefront of improving health in their communities,” said Caroline E. Compretta, Ph.D., University of Mississippi Medical Center assistant vice chancellor for research and Forge AHEAD Community Engagement Core lead. “We look to them as leaders and assets whose vision, creativity and dedication will have a measurable impact on the individuals and families they serve.”

The Community Microgrant Program is part of the Forge AHEAD Center’s broader mission to strengthen partnerships, build community capacity and support innovative approaches to improving health in the Deep South.

For more information about the Forge AHEAD Center and its programs, visit https://www.forgeaheadcenter.com/.

George Dixon recognized for outstanding community contributions

George Dixon, a member of the Forge AHEAD Community Advisory Board (CAB) and Director of the Mississippi SHINE Project, recently received notable awards at the Healthy Mississippi Conference and the Community Health Worker Conference. Dixon was honored with the Mississippi Community Health Worker Association Partner of the Year Award and the Mississippi State Department of Health Outstanding Community Service Award—both awards highlighting his exceptional commitment to community health and improving measurable health outcomes.

The Mississippi SHINE Project is a community-driven initiative focused on addressing health disparities and enhancing community well-being, particularly in addressing cardiometabolic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.

Dixon at the Healthy MS Conference receiving his awards

Dixon’s MSCHWA Partner of the Year Award

Through education, targeted interventions, and community engagement, the SHINE Project aligns with the mission of Forge AHEAD Center to reduce chronic disease burdens and improve health outcomes across Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.

Upon receiving the awards, Dixon shared his appreciation:

“I am deeply honored by this recognition. My heartfelt thanks go to Mattie Clark for the nomination and the Mississippi Department of Health for their acknowledgment. Serving the community is profoundly rewarding, and this award belongs to everyone who has collaborated, supported, and believed in our collective efforts. Our joint actions have created positive impacts, and this recognition truly reflects that shared commitment.”

These awards emphasize the significance of collaborative community-driven initiatives and highlight the meaningful impact leaders like Dixon have in regions experiencing notable health challenges. Mississippi and surrounding areas in the Deep South have high rates of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, particularly among historically marginalized populations. Dixon’s work aligns with Forge AHEAD Center’s commitment to community-based participatory methods and precise public health strategies tailored to local community needs.

Dixon expressed continued motivation and dedication:

“Thank you once again for this incredible honor. I remain dedicated and inspired to continue working toward healthier, more resilient communities.”

Please join us in congratulating George Dixon on his remarkable achievements and continued dedication to community health and wellness.

Learn more about the Mississippi SHINE Project

Dixon’s MSDH Outstanding Community Service Award

Dixon receiving the MSDH Outstanding Community Service Award

Men’s health awareness month: a local boost for body and mind

June is Men’s Health Awareness Month. With longer days and warm weather, this time of year offers an opportunity to reinforce the importance of prevention and encourage healthy habits. According to the CDC, Men experience higher rates of chronic conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes. However, they are significantly less likely than women to participate in routine preventive care, including regular checkups and screenings. This month highlights the importance of early action, regular movement, and consistent support for well-being.

In Birmingham, Railroad Park is helping make healthy choices more accessible. Through a partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, the park hosts free weekly exercise classes from April through October. Options include Boxing Cardio, Hip-Hop Cardio, Zumba, Yoga, Senior Fit, and Line Dancing. These outdoor classes promote cardiovascular health, strength, flexibility, and routine physical activity.

Decades of research confirm the benefits of regular movement in reducing the risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, dementia, osteoporosis, depression, and hypertension. Programs like these, which offer inclusive, community‑based wellness options with classes suited for all ages and fitness levels, demonstrate how accessible local initiatives can support sustained, health‑promoting activity.

Railroad Park may also serve as a valuable setting for health-related education and community engagement. Whether you are exploring physical activity in your work or simply looking to unwind, the park is a reminder that consistency is key to long-term wellness.

Phillip – stock.adobe.com

Class Schedule

Evening classes (6 p.m. Monday through Friday): Boxing Cardio, Hip-Hop Cardio, Zumba, Yoga, Line Dancing

Morning Senior Fit: 8 a.m. Tuesday and Friday

Weekend: Senior Fit at 10 a.m., Pilates at 11 a.m. every Saturday

This June, consider how healthy habits such as regular movement, social connection, and community participation can support the well-being of the men in our lives and those working to advance public health.

Learn more: railroadpark.org/programs/exercise-classes

Breaking the silence: why men’s mental health matters

Many men face barriers to addressing mental health concerns, often shaped by longstanding social expectations and personal responsibilities. The Alabama Department of Public Health recently shared several reasons why some men hesitate to seek support. In recognition of Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, Jared Ball, MPH, Forge AHEAD program evaluator, and Carol Agomo, Ph.D., Forge AHEAD program director for community outreach and engagement in Alabama, explore these challenges and offer practical, respectful approaches to address them.

Jared Ball, MPH, Forge AHEAD program evaluator

Carol Agomo, Ph.D., Forge AHEAD program director for community outreach and engagement in Alabama

“I’ve learned to deal with it.”

Men often balance work, family, and caregiving responsibilities without addressing their own well-being. This can lead to increased stress and decreased capacity to manage daily demands. Taking time for mental health is not a luxury. It is a foundation for sustainable caregiving and personal health.

“Take some time for yourself to address your mental health needs. You shouldn’t expect perfection every day – your best effort will look different from some days than others. When I worked in palliative care, the fellowship program built in self-care workshops each semester for the fellows. The rationale: if you’re not well, you cannot fully provide adequate care to someone else. Even setting aside 15 to 30 minutes a few times a week for something that helps you recharge—whether that’s a walk, a hobby, or a self-care session—can make a real difference.””

-Jared Ball

“I do not want to burden anyone.”

Men may hesitate to share their experiences out of respect for others’ time or emotional capacity. However, social connection is essential to mental health. Building a small network of trusted individuals, such as a former coworker, a close friend, or a family member, can create space for healthy conversations.

“Build your support cabinet. Identify two or three people you trust—friends from college, a colleague, a sibling—and let them know you might reach out if things get heavy. It’s also helpful to consider counseling. Therapists offer a neutral, supportive space with tools that can complement what friends and family provide.”

-Carol Agomo

“I feel embarrassed” or “There is stigma around this topic.”

Mental health concerns are medical issues, similar to heart conditions or diabetes. Seeking support should be seen as a responsible health decision. Increasing awareness and encouraging open conversations helps reduce stigma and improve outcomes.

“For the men in your life, consider this: strength doesn’t have to mean silence. I believe strength can also mean being willing to face what’s difficult, even when that takes more courage than keeping quiet.”

-Jared Ball

“I do not want to admit I need help” or “I don’t want to appear weak.”

Acknowledging challenges is a sign of self-awareness and resilience. Many men are socialized to value self-reliance, but collaboration and support are also strengths. Growth and connection begin when individuals feel safe to share their experiences.

“Let’s think differently about what it means to be tough. To me, it’s not about pretending everything is fine. It’s about having the honesty and self-respect to speak up when it’s not.”

-Carol Agomo

“I have no one to talk to.”

Feelings of isolation are serious and can increase mental health risks. If you do not currently have someone to talk to, resources are available. Peer support groups, community health organizations, and faith-based initiatives often offer confidential and accessible avenues for connection.

“Let’s continue to show up for the men in our lives. No one should feel alone in navigating mental health. Remind the people you care about that they matter and that support is always within reach.”

-Jared Ball

“As women, daughters, partners, friends, and colleagues, we often witness the emotional load men carry, sometimes without ever speaking about it. This month, let’s move away from the idea that silence equals strength. Mental health is just as important as physical health. Each of us can help create an environment where openness is encouraged, support is available, and seeking help is seen as a basic part of wellness, not a weakness.”

-Carol Agomo

“I do not want to admit I need help” or “I don’t want to appear weak.”

View post shared by Alabama Public Health (@alabamapublichealth)

Why this matters

Men’s mental health influences families, workplaces, and communities. Addressing it is essential for promoting holistic public health. During Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, we can each take part by encouraging conversations, listening without judgment, and sharing resources that foster well-being.

Supporting mental health is not about fixing anyone. It is about creating environments where individuals feel heard, valued, and equipped to seek care when needed.

Written by: Jared Ball, MPH, Carol Agomo, Ph.D.

Self-care, support, and stress awareness

April is Stress Awareness Month—a meaningful time to reflect on how stress impacts our well-being and to find supportive ways to care for ourselves and one another. For Sisters4Self-Care Ambassador Erika Parker, this isn’t just a seasonal message—it’s a lifelong mission rooted in community strength, daily intention, and holistic wellness.

“You cannot pour from an empty cup!” — Erika Parker

Healing from the inside out

Erika is deeply committed to health advocacy, and her work continues to touch the lives of hundreds on their wellness journeys. Her motto, “start with inside and work your way out,” speaks to a whole-person approach to health—mind, body, and spirit. She understands the pressures faced by the women she serves: juggling roles as daughters, wives, mothers, employees, caregivers, and more. Often, personal health is the first to fall off the list.

Erika stresses, “You have to make time for your health.” To help address these challenges, she builds community and supports the Sisters4Self-Care Thursday Wellness Parties, designed to emphasize and support health.

These weekly wellness gatherings offer more than just a break from routine—they create an encouraging environment where women can recharge, reconnect, and prioritize their health in ways that are joyful and sustainable.

Go Red 365: A year-round source of strength

One of Erika’s favorite initiatives within Sisters4Self-Care is the Go Red 365 Wellness Series, launched each February in recognition of Heart Health Month. This initiative serves as a year-round resource hub, offering knowledge and motivation to help individuals lead healthier lifestyles—key in combating stress-related health issues like hypertension and heart disease.

Erika Parker

Sisters4Self-Care Ambassador

Wellness is a community practice

Join a support group or community event
Check in with a wellness partner
Ask for help—it’s a strength, not a weakness

“You have to make time for your health” — Erika Parker

“You don’t have to navigate stress alone. Whether it’s a support group, a friend, or a wellness initiative like Sisters4Self-Care, finding a safe space to share and grow is essential.” — Erika Parker

Daily habits that make a difference

During a recent conversation, Erika emphasized the importance of recognizing stress early and taking proactive steps to manage it. She shared, “Stress is inevitable, but how we handle it makes all the difference. Small daily habits, like deep breathing, journaling, and regular movement, can be life-changing.”

Erika acknowledges that her own stress levels can rise when she is not proactive in identifying stressors and organizing her many responsibilities and priorities. To address stress, she focuses daily on three key areas:

Prayer and meditation to center herself
Physical activity
Nutritional health

Strength in Togetherness

Text a friend to check in
Attend a wellness gathering
Share your story or listen to someone else’s

Building strength through support networks

She also highlights the significance of community in stress reduction. She encourages people to lean on their support networks and engage in conversations about health. “You don’t have to navigate stress alone. Whether it’s a support group, a friend, or a wellness initiative like Sisters4Self-Care, finding a safe space to share and grow is essential,” she noted.

Take action during Stress Awareness Month

As Stress Awareness Month continues, Erika urges everyone to take simple, intentional steps to prioritize their mental and physical health. Whether it’s joining a wellness challenge, setting aside time for mindfulness, or simply making heart-healthy food choices, every effort counts.

Erika’s dedication to wellness reminds us that self-care isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Her work with Sisters4Self-Care and Go Red 365 embodies the movement toward sustained, community-driven health awareness. As she wisely says, “You cannot pour from an empty cup!” This April, let’s take inspiration from Erika and commit to managing stress with purpose and care.

Sisters4Self-Care Website:

https://sisters4selfcare.com/

Go Red 365:

https://sisters4selfcare.com/gored365

Forge AHEAD Center welcomes champion for community engagement in Louisiana

The Forge AHEAD Center is excited to welcome Andrea Pickett, Louisiana Clinical and Translational Science Center (LA CaTS) Community Engagement and Outreach Program coordinator at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, to our growing team. Andrea brings extensive experience in community-based mental health services, disaster response, and public health, making her a key addition to our mission of improving health outcomes across the Deep South.

Andrea’s passion for solving problems and caring deeply for people in the southern United States has guided her career. Holding a Bachelor of Science in psychology and currently pursuing her master’s in public health, she has dedicated herself to building relationships, crafting clear health messages, and connecting communities to critical health education and resources. Her approach to engagement is deeply rooted in community organizing strategies, ensuring individuals and families have access to the tools they need to support their well-being.

“In my work, I strive to build relationships and create clear messages that people can understand,” Andrea said. “My goal is to continue promoting health education, expanding access to care, and learning more about the relationship between stress and health behavior.”

Inspired by Forge AHEAD’s focus on partnerships, strengthening communities, and using the best approaches to outreach, Andrea sees her role as an opportunity to connect people to the resources they need and foster collaboration for long-term impact.

Her personal connection to the work runs deep. “Growing up in rural South Louisiana, listening to the experiences of others, and appreciating their stories is what motivates me to continue working to improve health outcomes and address barriers to care,” she said. “My experiences in disaster response have also helped me develop a better awareness of people’s needs and the diversity in the way we communicate. This has empowered me to ask better questions about the root causes of health challenges and be creative in partnership development and leveraging resources.”

Beyond her work in public health, Andrea is a strong advocate for arts education, recognizing how creative expression fosters critical thinking, community connection, and stress reduction. “Engaging in art has a profound way of bringing people together, fostering creativity, and reducing stress,” she said.

When she’s not working, she enjoys volunteering, attending community events, visiting local theaters and art galleries, crafting, and going on adventures with her family.

Andrea’s dedication, innovative thinking, and passion for community-driven solutions make her an invaluable addition to the Forge AHEAD team. We are excited to have her expertise and vision as we continue working toward stronger, healthier communities.