Welcome to the

African Americans Connect Group

African Americans
153 Members

This online group serves the members of our arthritis community who are African American from across the country. We invite those who are looking for support, education, robust programming, expert speakers, and connection to join us and meet others who understand.

Live Yes! Connect Groups offer connections, education, and empowerment. Adults living with arthritis from across the country come together online for professional- and volunteer-led sessions on a variety of topics, as well as fun group activities.


We offer a place of understanding and encouragement for both people living with arthritis and their loved ones. Group participants become self-advocates, develop self-management skills, and learn how to not just survive life with arthritis but to thrive.
 

Upcoming Events

  • Saturday October 21st 2023
    2:00 PM ET
    1h 30m
  • Virtual Event
  •   29 people attending
African-American Connect Group - "Our Experience within the Nation's Healthcare System"

African-American Connect Group - The African-American Experience within Our Nation's Healthcare System We're pleased to have Nadia Al-Amin speaking with the group during this meeting. Nadia is the Assistant Regional Director in the Region 5 office of SAMHSA. Nadia has been in region 5 since 2016 during which time she has held multiple leadership roles. She has focused her career in advancing behavioral health through developing multi-sector collaborations, promoting public and private partnerships, and fostering resilient communities. Her areas of focus include reducing mental health and addiction stigma, opioid overdose prevention, and promoting behavioral health wellness in communities of color. Nadia received a Master of Public Health degree in Epidemiology from Georgia State University and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in public health focusing on community mental health and behavioral health disparities. She is actively involved and holds leadership positions in multiple civic organizations. During the presentation... Participants will learn about the prevalence of behavioral health challenges among chronic health patients. Participants will be able to discuss the unique barriers to equitable healthcare for African Americans Participants will be able to identify behavioral health resources to address their mental health concerns and advocate for themselves in healthcare settings. After our presentation, there will be time to connect with others. Friends, Family, and Care Partners are always welcome to join meetings. We respect privacy and confidentiality and do not record our online meetings. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link to participate via video or phone. Being on video is not required nor having a Zoom account. A confirmation email will be sent upon registration. The Zoom link will be sent the day of the event to those who RSVP. If you do not receive the link, please check your spam folder. If you need additional login information, please visit the group’s discussion tab the day of the event. Please plan to log in a few minutes early. We look forward to seeing you soon!

 This is a Virtual Event. 
  • Saturday December 16th 2023
    2:00 PM ET
    1h 30m
  • Virtual Event
  •   13 people attending
African American Connect Group - 'Our Successes of the Year and Looking Ahead to the New Year'

The time has come already. Join us for our last AA Connect Group meeting of the year. We will discuss our personal successes of 2023 and our goals for 2024. Success is how we choose to define it. Please feel free to bring a friend and your favorite dish to share during our virtual party! After our presentation, there will be time to connect with others. Friends, Family, and Care Partners are always welcome to join meetings. We respect privacy and confidentiality and do not record our online meetings. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link to participate via video or phone. Being on video is not required nor having a Zoom account. A confirmation email will be sent upon registration. The Zoom link will be sent the day of the event to those who RSVP. If you do not receive the link, please check your spam folder. If you need additional login information, please visit the group’s discussion tab the day of the event. Please plan to log in a few minutes early. We look forward to seeing you soon!

 This is a Virtual Event. 
Facilitator(s)
Members
  • Event List
Arthritis Foundation Event
  • Saturday October 21st 2023
    2:00 PM ET
    1h 30m
  • Virtual Event
  •   29 people attending
African-American Connect Group - "Our Experience within the Nation's Healthcare System"

African-American Connect Group - The African-American Experience within Our Nation's Healthcare System We're pleased to have Nadia Al-Amin speaking with the group during this meeting. Nadia is the Assistant Regional Director in the Region 5 office of SAMHSA. Nadia has been in region 5 since 2016 during which time she has held multiple leadership roles. She has focused her career in advancing behavioral health through developing multi-sector collaborations, promoting public and private partnerships, and fostering resilient communities. Her areas of focus include reducing mental health and addiction stigma, opioid overdose prevention, and promoting behavioral health wellness in communities of color. Nadia received a Master of Public Health degree in Epidemiology from Georgia State University and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in public health focusing on community mental health and behavioral health disparities. She is actively involved and holds leadership positions in multiple civic organizations. During the presentation... Participants will learn about the prevalence of behavioral health challenges among chronic health patients. Participants will be able to discuss the unique barriers to equitable healthcare for African Americans Participants will be able to identify behavioral health resources to address their mental health concerns and advocate for themselves in healthcare settings. After our presentation, there will be time to connect with others. Friends, Family, and Care Partners are always welcome to join meetings. We respect privacy and confidentiality and do not record our online meetings. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link to participate via video or phone. Being on video is not required nor having a Zoom account. A confirmation email will be sent upon registration. The Zoom link will be sent the day of the event to those who RSVP. If you do not receive the link, please check your spam folder. If you need additional login information, please visit the group’s discussion tab the day of the event. Please plan to log in a few minutes early. We look forward to seeing you soon!

 This is a Virtual Event. 
  • Saturday December 16th 2023
    2:00 PM ET
    1h 30m
  • Virtual Event
  •   13 people attending
African American Connect Group - 'Our Successes of the Year and Looking Ahead to the New Year'

The time has come already. Join us for our last AA Connect Group meeting of the year. We will discuss our personal successes of 2023 and our goals for 2024. Success is how we choose to define it. Please feel free to bring a friend and your favorite dish to share during our virtual party! After our presentation, there will be time to connect with others. Friends, Family, and Care Partners are always welcome to join meetings. We respect privacy and confidentiality and do not record our online meetings. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link to participate via video or phone. Being on video is not required nor having a Zoom account. A confirmation email will be sent upon registration. The Zoom link will be sent the day of the event to those who RSVP. If you do not receive the link, please check your spam folder. If you need additional login information, please visit the group’s discussion tab the day of the event. Please plan to log in a few minutes early. We look forward to seeing you soon!

 This is a Virtual Event. 
Facilitators [2]
Members [153]

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Connect Group - National - African American

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Comments [5]
Amanda W
Amanda W
April 29, 2023 - 12:09 AM

Hello, everyone.  My name is Amanda.  I am happy to f I was formally diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at the age of 32 but had been suffering with joint damage and and had my 1st knee surgery as a child.  It has been 24 years, and  I am finally getting stable enough to be  able to focus on the other aspect of my life.  My goal at this season in my battle of to find balance in my life. I spent many years focused on pain and sickness by force.  Now, I'm focusing on what brings me joy in spite of the pain.   I am no longer in  the work force but with a degree in social work, I would like to learn how to advocate more for our community to get the resources and support that we need. I have dedicated my social media pages to sharing information and awareness.  I am sure I'm not the only one, who needed help during the Social Security application process, finding housing, mental health resources and even career or volunteer services.  I'm in Arizona and am not aware of any social agencies or groups that offer these services.  Is anyone aware of any active support groups for autoimmune warriors of color in my region?  Are there organizations like this in general in your states? 

Amanda W
Amanda W
April 29, 2023 - 12:12 AM

please excuse the errors...i hit send by mistake and cant figure out how to edit or delete.  

Jennifer M
Jennifer M
February 18, 2023 - 5:07 PM

Jen Miles...didn't receive the Zoom link.  I guess I won't make it.

TERRI W
TERRI W
November 18, 2022 - 3:24 PM

Hello, my name is Terri Walker and i am new to this group.  I was diagnosed with RA in June of 2021 and struggled with starting medication. The initial DMARD did not help so now am taking a Biologic and really would like to connect with others and their experiences with a biologic.  I am currently taking Cimzia.

Michelle J
Michelle J
October 8, 2022 - 5:43 PM

When do you have group online 

Kia  B
Kia B
September 1, 2022 - 11:05 PM

Hello,

My name is Kia Booker. Unfortunately, I have a conflict and can't attend the Meet & Greet on Sept. 17th but I do look forward to getting to know all of you. 

LaVanda W
LaVanda W
April 19, 2023 - 7:25 PM

Hello, 

I am looking for a black rheumatologist that treats Osteoarthritis. 

Does anyone know where to buy a'-KLOTHO and TGFβR2 

Osteoarthritis 

Northern Illinois 

Thank you