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Healthcare Exec Trinita Ashford on Motherhood and the Medical Industry

By Keisa Sharpe-Jefferson The Birmingham Times Trinita Ashford knows about balance. The mother of seven has served as executive director of ConnectionHealth, a community-based organization that has recruited, trained, employed and deployed community health workers (CHWs) since 2021. CHW is just a fancy term for what people do naturally, said Ashford: “A lot of people […]
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3 years ago

December 5, 2023

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Trinita Ashford has always been interested in working in health care. In fact, her early aspirations involved wanting to work as a nurse. (PROVIDED)

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By Keisa Sharpe-Jefferson

The Birmingham Times

Trinita Ashford knows about balance. The mother of seven has served as executive director of ConnectionHealth, a community-based organization that has recruited, trained, employed and deployed community health workers (CHWs) since 2021.

CHW is just a fancy term for what people do naturally, said Ashford: “A lot of people are CHWs, and they don’t even realize it.”

“You may have a neighbor that is always trying to help the neighbor next door with resources—it could be that neighbor that needs help getting transportation, getting to the hospital, or getting to a clinical appointment. … That’s something a CHW would do,” she explained.

CHWs play a pivotal role in improving health outcomes “by bridging the gaps in health care access and promoting health literacy within underserved communities,” Ashford said. “They [have a] unique ability to establish trust, provide culturally sensitive care, and navigate social determinants of health, contributing to reducing health disparities—and that is a big thing in our communities.”

At ConnectionHealth, located on Magnolia Avenue on Birmingham’s Southside, Ashford manages a staff of more than 20, in addition to contract workers. The organization, which has so far trained 185 CHWs, has partnerships with the Jefferson County Department of Health (JCDH) and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).

And, recently, ConnectionHealth was awarded a $3 million Alabama Community Health Worker Institute for Education, Vocational Training, and Engagement (ACHIEVE) grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to expand its training program, allowing the organization to equip more CHWs for service.

A Skillful Juggling Act

While Ashford, 51, manages the demanding role as an executive director in the ever-evolving medical industry, she also balances the roles of motherhood and marriage. She has seven children: two sets of twins—24-year-old daughters, both pursuing medical careers, and 13-year-old boys—two other daughters, ages 29 and 18, and a 16-year-old son.

While parenting seven kids is certainly a “monumental task with lots of prayer, I find the strength, guidance, and patience needed to nurture each child individually,” she said. “Prayer keeps me grounded and provides a source of comfort and hope in challenging times.”

The medical industry has deep roots in her life and her family, as she is married to an obstetrician, Rowell S. Ashford II, M.D., whose father was also an obstetrician. The couple recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on September 5, and, although the couple hadn’t planned anything yet to celebrate, Ashford said they’re “working on something special.”

Ashford has always been interested in working in health care. In fact, her early aspirations involved wanting to work as a nurse, but “that changed after I took a class at UAB,” she recalled. “I was taking a class that looked at the Foundation to Health Education and the instructor talked about preventative care. That sounded more appealing to me.”

And so, it began.

Diverse Education and Travel

Ashford, a Birmingham native, graduated from Ensley High School in 1989. She then attended the University of Maryland and studied abroad, in Munich, Germany, for her first two years of college. A potential career in modeling, plus a desire to know her birth mom, who was a nurse in the U.S. Army, led her to study overseas. “I knew my mother, but my dad raised me,” said Ashford.

For her third year of college, she transferred to UAB and did her first internship at the Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Division at the Watts Health Department in Los Angeles, California, an opportunity that was arranged by her aunt. After the internship, Ashford returned to Birmingham and earned a bachelor’s degree in health education in 1994 and a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree in 1998.

Then, Ashford sought a career change and obtained both a real estate license and a broker’s license. Currently, she is an associate broker at ARC Realty.

“I’ve always been interested in real estate. I’ve been interested in investing,” she said. “A friend and I decided we would do it together, and we’ve been partners for 15 years.”

While she still works in the real estate industry, Ashford has returned to health care. Since 2021, she has been in her position at ConnectionHealth, where she works on several projects, including promoting the role of CHWs.

“They are receiving training in cultural competencies, public health knowledge, stress management, and burnout prevention, [in addition to developing] communications, advocacy, and interpersonal skills [and learning] better ways to navigate the health care system,” said Ashford. “We do a whole module on self-care, [as well as teach] outreach strategies. Through their training, they do a lot of role-playing.”

Ashford pointed out a number of important programs, including From Day One (FDO), which assigns CHWs to pregnant women from the first trimester through the baby’s first year of life. “Those CHWs can come in contact with all kinds of different things that can be going on with the pregnant woman,” she said.

Where It All Began

The health executive never forgets her roots: “I grew up in Ensley in a middle-class family,” said Ashford.

“My dad worked at U.S. Pipe in Bessemer,” she continued. “My dad only had a high school education, and he has two daughters. When I got my master’s degree, he was so excited. You would have thought I won some money.”

Even though it can be a challenge to juggle her myriad family and career demands, Ashford finds time for herself and plans to double down on that effort in the near future.

“My favorite thing to do is get on my Peloton and work out,” she said. “I also like working out in groups, and I intend to get my membership back at Lifetime Fitness. It was so much fun. I would easily go four times a week before [the COVID-19 pandemic].”

When it comes to balancing it all, there is no formula, said Ashford: “I just do it! I don’t think there’s a perfect way to do it. I think it’s just what women do in general.”

And it’s not just about checking the boxes on her resume. There is a greater reward in the work she’s doing at ConnectionHealth, she said.

“Being back in the public health space, the work that we’re doing, the lives that we’re impacting means a lot to me personally, especially working in vulnerable populations and underserved communities,” said Ashford.

To learn more about ConnectionHealth or to partner with them in their work in the community, visit http://www.connectionhealth.org.

This article originally appeared in The Birmingham Times.

The post Healthcare Exec Trinita Ashford on Motherhood and the Medical Industry first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park

ATLANTA VOICE — A mural depicting late journalist Jovita Moore, painted on the exterior wall of a building now occupied by Bellwood Coffee in Grant Park, was painted over in April. Moore passed away in 2021 after decades of working in Atlanta television news. Bellwood Coffee owners stated in May they were unaware of Moore’s identity or significance to the community before painting over the mural.
The post Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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3 weeks ago

July 8, 2026

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At the corner of Boulevard, SE. and Rosalia St., SE., directly across the street from an abandoned home and a Methodist Church, is Bellwood Coffee. One of hundreds of coffee shops in Atlanta, this place of business would not be worth a solitary discussion if not for the way its exterior walls are currently painted. There was once a mural depicting the late Jovita Moore, a beloved journalist who worked in Atlanta for decades. Moore, who passed away in 2021, mentored many of the people you see on television newscasts today. Though her legacy will never be forgotten, it was the mural of her image that was erased.

In April, members of the Grant Park community voiced their disgust at the mural, which graced a side wall of the building now occupied by Bellwood Coffee’s Grant Park location, before it was painted over. In its place are the words “Bellwood Coffee; Cocktails, Biscuits, Dry Goods, Air Conditioning. *Heat Too”. In May, the business owners responded to the community pushback on social media by acknowledging they did not know who Moore was before painting over her image. And later admitted that they did not attempt to find out what she meant to the community.

On May 21, the Bellwood Coffee Instagram account had a post about being “in close contact with Jovita’s family and are actively working on next steps in this process.” Two months later, the mural has not been replaced, repainted, or repositioned on the property. Nothing has been done. Black history is often erased, most recently by the current Presidential administration, but oftentimes on a smaller, quieter scale. The mural was originally painted by muralist Tommy Bronx, who had been in contact with the business owners about repainting it. As of July 6, Tommy Bronx had responded to a direct message via his Instagram account from The Atlanta Voice about any updates on his plans to repaint the mural.

“We’re currently working on it. You should see some movement in the weeks to come,” he wrote in a response.

On Monday, July 6, the business had several patrons inside and was running smoothly with three employees manning the counter. The Atlanta Voice dropped by Bellwood Coffee to get a look at the exterior wall where the mural once stood as a memorial to a journalist and mother who lost her life to brain cancer at the young age of 54. Moore’s image added some color to the block. The grey wall in its place does not.

A direct message was sent to the Bellwood Coffee Instagram account, and there hasn’t been a response as of 7 p.m. on Monday.

The post Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.

Based on reporting by Atlanta Voice.

The post Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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‘Proud to Hang Her from a Tree’: Man Arrested for Threatening Black Senator

ATLANTA DAILY WORLD — A New York man faces felony hate crime charges for allegedly posting a threat against New York State Senator Lea Webb. James A. Crosby, 49, of Binghamton, was arrested by New York State Police after investigators determined he posted a threatening comment on a social media news post about a Juneteenth celebration.
The post ‘Proud to Hang Her from a Tree’: Man Arrested for Threatening Black Senator appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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3 weeks ago

July 8, 2026

Oakland Post

A New York man is facing felony hate crime charges after allegedly posting that he’d be “proud to hang” New York State Senator Lea Webb from a tree in response to a news story about a Juneteenth celebration.

James A. Crosby, 49, of Binghamton, was arrested June 23 by New York State Police after investigators determined he posted a threatening comment on a WBNG 12 News Facebook post. “I’d be proud to hang her from a tree,” Crosby wrote, according to WBNG.

Crosby was charged with making a terroristic threat as a hate crime, a class C felony, per the New York State Police. He is currently being held at Broome County Jail.

During the subsequent investigation, state police found Crosby was in illegal possession of firearms despite being prohibited from owning them due to a prior felony conviction. Investigators recovered a rifle, a large-capacity ammunition feeding device, and a firearm suppressor — all prohibited under New York state law, per the NYSP.

Crosby was charged with four additional counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, all class D felonies.

Webb, who represents New York’s 52nd Senate District, had been a featured speaker at a Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony at Binghamton City Hall, where the celebration included prayers and the singing of the Black national anthem.

Police said Crosby’s comment was posted in response to a WBNG news story covering the event.

The day before his arrest, Crosby posted a Facebook apology claiming the comment “was not intended to be racial in any way” and was made in reference to what he described as a “criminal,” citing criticism of Webb over her use of nonprofit legal aid in a foreclosure case — a matter state watchdogs said created an appearance of a conflict of interest, per the Ithaca Voice. He was arrested the following day.

Webb issued a public statement June 25 condemning the threat.

“It was extremely disappointing and hurtful to see the now-deleted threat and attacks on my life in response to a story about Juneteenth, a national holiday that recognizes the ending of slavery in America,” she said. “Feedback and thoughts on policy are one thing, but to make a public call for lethal violence is absolutely unacceptable and dangerous. We must recognize our shared humanity and reject violence in all forms.”

She thanked Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and law enforcement for their “swift response.”

Following Crosby’s comments, social media users called for a boycott of his contracting business, Crosby Home Improvements.

The Binghamton City Democratic Committee also called for an investigation into the incident before his arrest.

The Black Information Network is your source for Black News! Get the latest news 24/7 on The Black Information Network. Listen now on the iHeartRadio app or click HEREto tune in live.

The post ‘Proud to hang her from a tree’: Man arrested for threatening Black Senator appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

Based on reporting by Atlanta Daily World.

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CARICOM: Strengthen Integration for Future Generations

NEW YORK CARIB NEWS — Outgoing CARICOM Chairman Terrance Drew called on regional leaders to build a stronger and more effective Caribbean Community that benefits future generations. Speaking at the 51st Regular Meeting, Drew urged modernization of governance structures and improved implementation of Community decisions to make CARICOM safer and more prosperous.
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3 weeks ago

July 8, 2026

Oakland Post

Speaking Sunday at the opening of the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in Saint Lucia, Dr. Terrance Drew said the region must modernize its governance structures, improve the implementation of Community decisions, and ensure CARICOM becomes safer, more prosperous, and more relevant to the lives of its citizens.

The meeting, being held under the theme “CARICOM: From Resilience to Renewal in a Changing World,” coincides with the Community’s 53rd anniversary. During the ceremony, Dr. Drew formally handed over the rotating CARICOM chairmanship to Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister, Philip J. Pierre.

Reflecting on his six-month tenure as chairman, Drew praised fellow regional leaders for maintaining their commitment to democracy, good governance, unity, and the rule of law despite mounting global economic and geopolitical challenges.

“Throughout these challenges, CARICOM chose engagement over isolation. Together, we reaffirmed our commitment to a fair and rules-based international trading system and ensured that the interests of small developing states continued to be heard.”
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He highlighted progress made in strengthening the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, including deeper trade cooperation, expanded labour mobility, and efforts to lay the foundation for long-term economic growth. Drew also noted the Community’s growing partnerships beyond the Caribbean, particularly with the African Union, while stressing that every international partnership should advance the interests of all parties involved.

The outgoing chairman also expressed appreciation to Dr. Carla Barnett and the CARICOM Secretariat for their professionalism and unwavering support during his tenure.

“Whenever I called, you answered. Whenever support was required, you and your team responded with diligence, competence, and excellence.”

Dr. Drew urged the Secretariat to continue preserving its impartiality while faithfully implementing decisions made by Heads of Government, saying that balance has helped strengthen the regional integration movement.

The conference continues in Saint Lucia with regional leaders expected to deliberate on key issues including regional security, climate resilience, trade, economic integration, food security, Haiti, reparations, and strengthening the CSME.

Based on reporting by New York Carib News.

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