Racism Affects the Health of Black Women – Dr. Priscilla Boakye 

An Assistant Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, Dr Priscilla Boakye, has revealed that racism impacts not only the emotional state of an individual but also the health and well-being of the victim.

She emphasized that black women, in particular, are at a high health risk due to exposure to racism.

Dr. Boakye explained that experiencing continuous racism is akin to undergoing everyday stress. When the body is under stress, it activates a chronic stress response, which over time causes the body to react continually to the stress, leading to various illnesses.

She outlined conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, stillbirths, and miscarriages as some of the consequences.

Dr. Priscilla Boakye made these revelations during her keynote address at the EMPOWER HER event, organized by the African-Canadian Social Development Council at 10 Belfield Road, Toronto.

She spoke on the theme: “Promoting Black Women’s Health and Well-being.”

Dr. Priscilla Boakye added that barriers within the healthcare system have compounded issues for black women.

She mentioned anti-black medical gaslighting, where black women are made to doubt their healthcare concerns either by the healthcare giver downplaying, dismissing or attributing symptoms to others other than what they visited the healthcare facility for.

Dr Boakye advised black women to recognize their location and navigate their way through the system, even though the system wasn’t designed in their favour.

She suggested regular exercise, a balanced diet, routine check-ups, and promoting self-compassion as some of the ways black women can take care of their health and well-being.

She also urged the organizers to develop a session specifically for the youth and encouraged the youth to take advantage of these conferences.

The President of the African–Canadian Social Development Council, Kabu Asante, in his welcome address, said it has become imperative to tackle issues affecting black women.

He stated that his organization, through this event, aims not only to uplift black women but also to create a more inclusive and equitable society for every individual, regardless of race and gender.

Kabu Asante promised that the EMPOWER HER event would become an annual conference to serve as a cornerstone in the ongoing efforts to address multiple issues concerning black women.

A panel was convened to further the discussion on health and finance, involving Dr Olutoyin Oyelade (President CEO, CASA Foundation for International Development), Danayi Munyati (Health Promoter Specialist, Imana Health Incorporated, Black Heritage Alliance), and Rose Cathy Handy (Canadian International Black Women Excellence – CIBWE).

Recognitions were also given to Dima Amed, Juliet Opoku, Kemi Amusan, Faridah Kaddu, and Carole Gballou Lamontagne for their Excellence in Community Leadership.

The event concluded with a networking reception.