George Dixon recognized for outstanding community contributions

Dixon at the Healthy MS Conference receiving his awards

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 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.

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

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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

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.

Self-care, support, and stress awareness

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:

1. Prayer and meditation to center herself
2. Physical activity
3. Nutritional health

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

Enhancing food access in Mississippi: How Stewpot and Mississippi Food Network are driving community solutions

What if accessing your next nutritious meal was uncertain? For nearly one in six Mississippians, this is a daily reality. According to the Mississippi Food Network (MFN), approximately 480,600 residents—more than 18% of them children—face limited access to nutritious food. In Jackson, the challenge is even greater, as disparities in access to fresh, healthy food continue to shape community health outcomes.

Reliable access to nutritious food is essential for well-being, economic stability, and overall quality of life, yet many families encounter barriers to obtaining fresh, healthy meals.

March is National Nutrition Month, a time to highlight the importance of balanced nutrition and recognize the organizations working year-round to expand food access. In Mississippi, Stewpot Community Services and the Mississippi Food Network are making a lasting impact, not just by providing meals but by developing long-term solutions that promote healthier communities.

At the heart of these efforts is collaboration between research and community action. Jill Buckley, Executive Director of Stewpot, and Cassandra Mobley, Chief Operating Officer at Mississippi Food Network, serve on the Forge AHEAD Community Advisory Board (CAB), working to connect academic research with real-world needs. Their involvement ensures that communities facing food access challenges are represented in health research and policy discussions, advancing initiatives that improve nutrition and support community health across the South.

Mississippi Food Network: Tackling Hunger on a Larger Scale

While Stewpot serves meals directly to those in need, the Mississippi Food Network operates at a larger scale, distributing food to more than 430 partner agencies across the state. Their work ensures that local food pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens—including Stewpot—have the resources they need to serve their communities.

“Mississippi ranks among the states with the most significant food access challenges,” says Mobley. “Our mission is to change lives by fighting hunger today and feeding hope for a healthier tomorrow.”

Through Forge AHEAD, researchers are learning from community leaders like Buckley and Mobley about what truly works. Recent studies have shown that integrating fresh produce into food pantries can improve health outcomes, leading to more funding for nutrition-focused programs across Mississippi.

“It excites me that researchers are interested in hearing voices from the community as they are looking at their research projects,” says Mobley. “The CAB gives us a way to connect what researchers are doing with what our communities need.”

Through Forge AHEAD, both Buckley and Mobley contribute to research projects focused on food access, health outcomes, and community-based solutions. This collaboration helps ensure that research is actionable and addresses real-world needs.

“Research should never just sit in an academic journal,” says Buckley. “It should be something that people can use to make better choices for themselves and their families.”

A Path Forward

Mississippi’s food access challenges won’t be solved overnight, but thanks to the work of organizations like Stewpot and MFN, progress is being made.

By combining on-the-ground action, community engagement, and research, these organizations are feeding people today and working toward a healthier, more food-secure future for Mississippi’s communities.

You can make a difference by volunteering, donating, or supporting local programs that increase access to nutritious food. Expanding food access helps strengthen community health and well-being.

Tuskegee leads exploration of AI’s role in improving health outcomes in the deep south

Tuskegee University (TU), a Forge AHEAD Center (FAC) partner, led discussions on artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare and public health at a recent bioethics forum marking its 10th anniversary.

The Forge AHEAD Center joined the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) to explore AI’s role in healthcare ethics, innovation, and community engagement.

Stephen Sodeke, Ph.D., professor at Tuskegee and core faculty with Forge AHEAD’s Community Engagement Core, hosted the forum. Other attendees included Timothy Turner, Ph.D., associate vice president for research at Tuskegee; Chris Williams, a Forge AHEAD community advisory board member; Carol Agomo, Ph.D., and Jared Ball, Forge AHEAD staff members.

Ball, FAC data analyst, noted: “The forum reinforced the importance of transparency in AI-driven decision-making. As someone who works with AI and data, it was valuable to discuss how we can ensure fairness and accountability in the process. We must learn to use AI to assist us, not as the decision-maker, and govern the work we do.”

The Forge AHEAD Center and UAB CCTS continue their partnership to connect research, ethics, and healthcare applications through community engagement and translational research.

Carol Agomo, Ph.D., shares on a panel during the forum

The 2025 Birmingham Black Male Summit: Empowering, Connecting, and Driving Change

The 3rd Annual Black Male Summit in Birmingham was an inspiring and transformative gathering that brought together thought leaders, professionals, and community advocates from across the region. Focused on strengthening and supporting Black men and the communities they belong to, this year’s summit featured engaging discussions, interactive workshops, and valuable networking opportunities.

Among the distinguished speakers was City of Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, who provided critical insights on the city’s health landscape. He noted, “When the U.S. has a cold, Alabama has the flu, and when Alabama has the flu, Birmingham has pneumonia.” His statement emphasized the ways in which national health disparities are magnified at the local level, emphasizing the urgency of targeted community interventions.

The Forge AHEAD Center (FAC) participated in this year’s event, contributing to conversations on economic mobility, public safety, and health equity. Carol Agomo, Ph.D., director for community outreach and engagement in Alabama for FAC, and Jared Ball, MPH, program evaluator for FAC, engaged with attendees to share the center’s mission and gain insights into the pressing health challenges affecting Black men in Birmingham.

Ball also reflected on the summit’s impact, particularly in engaging with students. “Meeting young people eager to apply their academic knowledge to public health issues was a highlight of our experience. We hope to further connect them with the work of the Forge AHEAD Center, inspiring the next generation of leaders committed to improving health outcomes in their communities.”

As we move forward, the relationships and insights gained from this summit will help advance our mission. We extend our appreciation to the organizers, speakers, and attendees who made this event such a meaningful and impactful experience.