The African American Wellness Project and National Council of Negro Women Inc. Collaborate to Highlight Importance of Immunization Education During National Immunization Awareness Month
Washington, DC August 21, 2023– The African American Wellness Project (AAWP), a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing health disparities in the Black community has joined forces with the National Council of Negro Women, NCNW Inc. (NCNW) to promote immunization education and dispel vaccination fears during National Immunization Month.
AAWP partnered with NCNW around Good Health WINs, a community-focused initiative to highlight the importance of vaccination for people of all ages. Routine immunizations have been shown to be one of the best ways to protect your health. Not only do they stop the spread of these contagious diseases, but they also protect those around you. Yet Black Americans are significantly more likely to be affected by vaccine-preventable diseases.
This month AAWP unveiled a coloring book, Queenie Gets Her Shots, at the National Medical Convention in New Orleans, a convening of the largest and oldest organization representing African American physicians and their patients in the United States and brought vaccine hesitancy within communities of color and the significant contributions of the Black community to healthcare advancements to the forefront.
Since its release in February 2023, “Queenie Gets Her Shots” has touched the lives of more than 7,000readers in the East Oakland-Hayward community and beyond. This 26 -page coloring book, authored by NCNW East Oakland-Hayward Section President Jennifer King and illustrated by Dr. Ajuan Mance, follows Queenie, a spirited five-year-old excited to start school. In the face of vaccinations, she initially hesitates but finds support from her brother Miles, friends Duc and Isabel, who highlight the significant contributions of Black men and women to U.S. immunization history.
Queenie was a perfect opportunity to address vaccine hesitancy among people of color through a community service project,” said author Jennifer King. “It allowed me to engage in what I love – writing – and shed light on the truth that many of us share Queenie’s fear of getting shots.”
The impact of “Queenie” has extended beyond Oakland-Hayward. These coloring books were shared at fairs, community events, including Juneteenth celebrations, and distributed to children in Sacramento, San Francisco, Vallejo, and Fairfield by NCNW members. Additionally, local institutions such as Kaiser Hospital Pediatrics-Hayward, Roots Health Clinic, East and West Oakland Health Centers, Umoja Health Center and the County of Alameda also received copies of the book and they were given to children in local homeless shelters.
“Queenie is a testament to our collective strength in tackling vaccination concerns. “Let’s stand together in empowering our communities with knowledge and dispelling vaccination fears.” said AAWP Founder Dr. Michael LeNoir.
To order copies and join the movement, contact NCNW at eohncnw.org.
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About AAWP: Founded more than a decade ago, the African American Wellness Project (AAWP) was formed to respond to health disparities in the African American community and is dedicated to health equity and better health outcomes for people of color. AAWP is particularly focused on improving the health of the African American community by serving as a megaphone for trusted knowledge and information and providing guides and resources that enable and encourage African Americans to advocate for themselves and receive improved care, regardless of insurance or circumstances. Visit aawellnessproject.org
About National Council of Negro Women: National Council Negro Women (NCNW) is an “organization of organizations,” comprised of 330 campus and community-based sections and 33 national women’s organizations that enlightens, inspires, and connects more than 2,000,000 women and men. Its mission is to lead, advocate for, and empower women of African descent, their families, and communities. It was founded in 1935 by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, an influential educator and activist, and for more than fifty years, the iconic Dr. Dorothy Height was president of NCNW.
