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This piece was far too long and my interest waned quickly. I guess the gist was the young pastor spread himself too thin and didn't take note of his weakening body. While this is a cautionary tale, I doubt it's germane for most young Black men. If anything, this type of scenario probably reflects the situation of many Black grandmothers and single moms.

When I live in NYC I used to attend these conversation which addressed controversial subjects and always provided both side of the argument. email bashlefi at gmail to RSVP Biographies of the Speakers Professor Vernelia Ruth Randall Law professor Vernellia Ruth Randall was born March 6, 1948, in Gladewater, Texas to Mary Pauline Hall Randall and Ernest Randall. Both parents were associated with Jarvis Christian College. Raised by her father in difficult circumstances in Mule Shoe, Texas, Randall attended the colored school there and graduated from Carver High School in Amarillo in 1966. Receiving her A.A. degree from Amarillo College, she entered the University of Texas and earned her B.S. degree from the School of Nursing. Randall obtained her M.S. degree in nursing from the University of Washington in 1978 and in 1987 her J.D. degree from Northwestern School of Law, Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. Starting a career in medicine as a nurse and family nurse practitioner, Randall served as Maternal-Child Health Nurse Coordinator for the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services in Juneau, Alaska, from 1979 to 1984. She has been a professor of nursing and community health at Oregon Health Sciences University and Wright State University as well as a law professor at Northwestern School of Law, Seattle University School of Law, and the University of Dayton. She was an associate with the Portland law firm of Bullivant, Houser, Bailey, Pendergrass and Hoffman from 1987 to 1989. In 1994, Randall was hired as Associate Professor, School of Law, University of Dayton. Since that time she also has been director of the Academic Excellence Program for the University of Dayton, where she plans and implements academic support services for students and trains teaching assistants. Highly sought after as a public speaker on matters of health and race, Randall has also published widely. She is a recipient of the Chairman’s Award from the Ohio Commission on Minority Health and has been honored by a Commendation from the Ohio House of Representatives. Randall is an accomplished webmaster and has received awards for her website development. Some of her sites include: “Race, Health Care and the Law” and “Gender and the Law”. Her latest book is entitled, Dying While Black. The mother of two sons, Randall enjoys computers, movies, sewing and dancing. Dr. Burnett William Gallman, Jr., an accomplished physician, has spent his life sharing knowledge with his community. He is also an avid music lover and performer. A native of Hartsville, S.C., he attended Morehouse College and graduated from Benedict College, where he earned a band scholarship. He graduated from Hahnemann Medical School (now Drexel University College of Medicine) and completed his internship and residency training at the District of Columbia General Hospital in Washington, D.C. Gallman has served as chief of internal medicine at both Richland Memorial Hospital and the Baptist Medical Center (both now a part of Palmetto Health) in Columbia, S.C., and now works at Wm. Jennings Bryan Dorn Veteran’s Administration Medical Center and is in part-time private practice as a gastroenterologist. His love of music began at an early age, as Gallman’s mother started teaching him piano lessons at age three. As a teenager, he earned extra money by playing at several churches in the Hartsville area, served as student band director for the Butler High School marching band and played in several all-state bands. At Morehouse College, he was a member of the marching band and also the acclaimed Morehouse Glee Club, which afforded him many unique opportunities including performing at the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Gallman has lectured on medical, historical, and cultural topics to professional and civic groups across the United States and beyond. He has also written five books, co-authored and edited other books and written several essays and articles. His lifetime of service has included mentoring young people in various capacities. He also served as a media personality offering medical advice as well as covering African and African American cultural and historical topics. He serves as a member of several boards of directors, including the National Board of the Association for the Study of Classical African Civilizations, and is a graduate of Leadership South Carolina. Gallman is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity and is currently co-chair of the council of elders education commission of the KRST Universal Temple in Columbia. Dr. Neema Hooker, MD Neema Hooker is a graduate of HCBU Claflin University. She earned her degree in Biochemistry and went on to further her education at the Medical University of South Carolina earning her Medical Degree. She completed a residency in Family Medicine at Atrium Health in Charlotte, NC where she served as chief resident her final year. Neema was a presidential scholar in the Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College, served as 2008-2009 Miss Pre-Alumni, and was one of the founding members of Pulse Dance Co to name a few of her accomplishments. She now resides in Charlotte, working as a board certified Family Physician. She is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the National Medical Association and Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Inc. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, hiking and other outdoorsy activities as well as staying active in dance and yoga. In addition, she serves as a mentor in the Young Black Leadership Alliance. At Claflin, Neema was a presidential scholar in the Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College, served as 2008-2009 Miss Pre-Alumni, and was one of the founding members of Pulse Dance Co to name a few of her accomplishments. She now resides in Charlotte, working as a board certified Family Physician. She is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the National Medical Association and Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Inc. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, hiking and other outdoorsy activities as well as staying active in dance and yoga. In addition, she serves as a mentor in the Young Black Leadership Alliance. Dr. Shadidi Beatrice Chase Kinsey •P.E.A.C.E. Health Center is a Kawaida health institution working under the principle, Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), highlighting our ability to define ourselves, name ourselves, and speak for ourselves, create for ourselves (Community Health and Well-Being). •Dr. Shadidi Beatrice Chase Kinsey and the practitioners at P.E.A.C.E. HEALTH CENTER are committed to providing quality healing in the heart of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York. •Since 1989, Dr. Kinsey has provided HIV/AIDS treatment and alcohol/substance detoxification services using acupuncture at community-based organizations. •In 1987, Dr. Kinsey earned her acupuncture diploma from the Harlem-based Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine; in 1988, the International Institute of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine certified her a Doctor of Acupuncture; in 1989, she earned certification from the National Commission for Certification of Acupuncturist and Oriental Medicine; that same year she earned certification as an Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist. •In 1992, “Mama Bea,” as she is known in the community, was the first African American licensed by New York State to practice acupuncture. This certification capped her decade-long quest for the knowledge and tools that would enable her to make a positive contribution to the health care available to her community. This quest was pursued while working full-time inside and outside her home. She is a widow, mother of six, and grandmother of eight.•Dr. Kinsey is the Vice-Chair of the N.Y. chapter of the National Association of Kawaida Organizations (NAKO) N.Y. Chair, Dr. Segun Shabaka. National Chair, Dr. Maulana Karenga, Chair of The Organization Us, Creator of Kawaida, Kwanzaa, and the Nguzo Saba. • •Among her numerous awards include: 1993 Keeper of the Dream Award presented by Johnson Preparatory School, Brooklyn, NY; 1994 Martin Luther King Jr. Award for Nia and Healing Hands presented by the Howard Houses Tenants Council; 1998 Dr. Mutulu Shakur Health Activist Award presented by Family and Friends of Dr. Mutulu Shakur; 1999 Keepers of the Flame Award presented by Kwanzaa Collective of Brooklyn, NY; 2002 Founders Award presented by Malcolm X Day Parade and Celebration Committee; in 2011, Dr. Kinsey was acknowledged as one of New York’s Top Doctors and given a feature story by The Network Journal; • •2013 Junteenth Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Kow Teff School of African Dance and African Dance Company, “In recognition of the indelible mark you have made on our community through your lifetime commitment to healing, leadership, service, and maintaining the cultural values of our people.” •2015 Certificate of Appreciation from SANKOFA COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT , INC. The Umoja Award: is Presented to •BEATRICE SHADIDI KINSEY D.AC, LIC AC (NYS) •For your unwavering Commitment to the Spirit of Umoja. • •2016 Black History Award from Khamau Black Student Association, •Pacific College Oriental Medicine to Dr Shadidi B. Chase Kinsey •“May we never forget the struggle, nor the doors you left opened, •Or the shoulders that we stand upon. • • •2018 Omo Obatala Egbe, Inc. presented to Dr. Shadidi B. Chase Kinsey, Healer and Community Activist “We, the Omo Obatala Egbe, Inc. proudly present this award to you Honoring your dedicated service bringing health and healing to our community. And your activism for the Liberation of African Peoples”. • •2019 Harlem Fine Arts Show African Americans in Medicine Award for dedicated service and commitment to excellence. Betty J. Dopson Betty J. Dopson was born and raised in Hubbard, Ohio and attended the all white public schools in that small village, The few Blacks students who attended the Elementary and High Schools, mostly from her family, were constantly the subject of and subjected to racist remarks and actions. Marrying and moving to ew York City, she recalls, was like exiting from a long dark tunnel into the light. Obtaining employment at Sydenham Hospital in the early 60’s as an Emergency Room clerk marked the beginning of her work with and for her people. After passing a series of tests she began working as an administrative assistant at Harlem Hospital Center. In 1975 she earned a bachelors degree in Communications Arts and Sciences from Queens College. Shortly after, she was promoted to the position, director of Public Relations at the hospital. While serving in that position she won acclaim by founding Harlem Hospital Babies Day. The event brought international goodwill and financial support to the hospital. “Babies” from as far away as Japan and South America who were born in Harlem Hospital, returned for the celebration. Publishing the hospital’s newspaper “Centerview,” recording oral histories from the medical staff for the Schomburg Center Library and producing and hosting a cable TV program, “Your Health is Your Responsibility” were included in her accomplishments during her employment from 1975 to 1988. In 1975 she hired and worked closely with journalist, A. Peter Bailey to produce a 100 year history of the famous hospital. The truths that were unearthed during research of the hospital’s past were so disturbing to the hospital’s medical and administrative staff that the book was forbidden to be published. There was no desire by the administrative and medical staff to expose the hospital’s history of the use of black patients as guinea pigs. From 1992 to 2006 she served as the director of the SQPA,NY Beacon School, a community jewel created by Mayor David N. Dinkins that offered GED Prep, Computer training, after school math , science and reading for students, ESL for adults and recreational programs. She is proudest of her role as co-founder and co-chair of CEMOTAP, Committee to Eliminate Media Offensive to African People, a 21 year old media watch organization created to monitor and confront offensive electronic and print media. As publisher of its newspaper the CEMOTAP Drum she is able to promote the research, opinions and ideas of the organization. CEMOTAP’s lecture series is shown each week on Cable TV, on Mat Program Series airing every Saturday on QPTV. She is a member of the Board for the Education of People of African Ancestry, The Needles Eye, Women’s Fellowship of St. Albans Congregational Church, The Sisterhood and the Imani Group. Since that bio: Betty has written a well received book called Shared Secrets of Elder Sisters. It was produced as a play also and had a well received run at Queens Black Spectrum Theater. Ms. Dopson now performs excerpts of her book in the form of a 1 woman show at her book signings. Ms. Dopson is also now a Co Chair of BEPAA. Dr. James C. McIntosh, is an African media activist, author and retired physician who practiced psychiatry for 40 years. He is a Co-Chair and Co Founder of CEMOTAP (The Committee To Eliminate Media Offensive To African People i and a past president of Board For The Education Of People Of African Ancestry. He was a founding member of United African Movement and the first chairman of their Health Committee and the original moderator and founder of their speaker series originating in the Slave Theater. He is the past president of the nation's largest union of salaried physicians, The Committee of Interns and Residents. He is a a much sought after lecturer and the author of several books including, The Unauthorized Psychoanalysis of Donald J. Trump, The Unauthorized Psychoanalysis of Rudolph Giuliani, That Which Cannot Be Destroyed, State Rape and Prosecutorial Misconduct. He is a Columnist for the City Sun Newspaper, former columnist for the Daily Challenge Newspaper, New York City's only Black Daily Newspaper and has been a frequent contributor to the Black newspapers such as, The Amsterdam News, Black American and Big Red News.

Something tells me this event might end up being an echo chamber. Most AfroAmericans pretty much have their minds already made up about this virus and their response to it and little is going to convince them either way. At this point, the only thing that will influence the behavior of most people are if their benefits or job status is threatened for failure to comply with mandatory policies.