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Darrell Wade, Executive Director and founder of Oregon Black Men’s Wellness, a nonprofit established in December 2019, celebrated Juneteenth with residents at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center.
“We’re here to promote health and wellness,” said Wade. “We believe that health and wellness are [absolute] rights for all our Black men.”
Wade added that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recognized that Black communities are more susceptible to diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems, colon cancer, and lung cancer.
BMW combines health and wellness services with other activities for the Black community. The in-person nature of the program and workshops were impacted during COVID, however Wade found that working from home gave him more flexibility.
BMW received financial support from the federal government, amid national initiatives, to allocate support to under served communities in the wake of the pandemic.
The organization is dedicated to addressing mental health, physical health, and emphasizes household healing. Their ultimate goal is to spread this sentiment into the greater community.
Wade’s academic and occupational background paired with his willingness to serve his community led to BMW’s founding. After earning his bachelor’s degree in Human Development, he worked for 23 years as a social worker in communities affected by gangs and a growing homeless youth crises.
According to Wade, after he formed BMW, he faced challenges with the organization’s moniker and title.
Wade acknowledged that these challenges sounded “exclusive” when targeting issues that statistically affect Black men. By naming the organization an overt indicator of their core advocacy, it makes clear for potential funders what they are supporting.
Despite these efforts, Care Oregon, a state-funded healthcare provider, declined to support BMW three separate times. The first rejection, BMW wasn’t a recognized healthcare organization. The second and third rejections were due to the lack of available funding. Wade said the lack of support is because BMW is blatantly advertising the community they continue to service — the needs of Black men.
Wade cited the importance of visiting San Quentin on Juneteenth.
“Blacks didn’t know they were free for two years. Freedom starts within oneself. Freedom starts within these walls before they go home,” said Wade. “If you can access that, you can go home a free man. Liberation starts inside.”
BMW also wants to extend their services to the incarcerated population at San Quentin.
Wade noted that he acknowledges the other marginalized communities impacted by health.
Wade recently lost a friend, Ron Samero. Samero, a Filipino man who was 39-years-old and known as “DJ Efecto.” He died in his sleep.
“When I got people together to celebrate this loss, everything was nice, but the only thing missing was him,” said Wade.
Wade noted that marginalizing people includes taking away their language.
“The question is can we, the Hispanics, Blacks, and Whites all have our own space to address our traumas? Can we all have break-out groups [to hold discussions]?” asked Wade.
Wade said he recognizes how minorities are being divided in an attempt to keep marginalized communities at a disadvantage.
“In the movies, we see prison at war all the time,” said Wade. “Here is what I see. Against all odds, you guys have somehow formed a community. Within these walls, you see the camaraderie. This is not CDCR’s doing.”