By Rev. Dr. Heber Brown III

I often look to our Ancestors to guide my service to the Black community today. They connect me to the movement that has been and is ongoing. Recently, I have been reflecting on two such inspiring Ancestors: Malcolm X and Queen Mother Audley Moore.

These two leaders at the vanguard of Pan-Africanism and the reparations movement understood the importance of securing land to build power. As Malcolm X said, “Revolution is based on land. Land is the basis of all independence. Land is the basis of freedom, justice and equality.” Queen Mother Moore, in a 1975 speech, declared, “We believe African captives in the USA will not have freedom until they have land of their own.”

Through their wisdom and the examples of so many others, we see how Black-owned land is a source of cultural memory and spiritual grounding. When we hold land, we find freedom.

I learned this firsthand through my great-grandparents’ lives “down the country” in rural Virginia. That land was a respite of sorts from the ravages of racial capitalism found in the city. It was an oasis amid a society that burdens Black people in so many ways. The whole family benefited from having significant landholdings to care for themselves. There was pride in self-sufficiency.

Economic sovereignty joins these attributes that land gives us. Since Black people have lost land — due to racial violence, the discriminatory impact of “heirs’ property” and exclusion from banking and farm programs — our overall wealth has decreased. According to the Federation of Southern Cooperatives, Black people owned 16 to 19 million acres of rural land in 1910, compared to less than 3 million acres today.

This is partly why I founded The Black Church Food Security Network. Pairing Black farmers with churches who own land ties together food justice, community and freedom. While food pantries and food drives are necessary efforts to fulfill an immediate need for those who experience food insecurity, they are not enough. Securing land, infrastructure and the means of production is the key to overcoming food apartheid in our communities. It must also be a primary component of reparations.

African leaders, led by President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, recently coordinated a United Nations resolution that finally declared that the trafficking of enslaved Africans was the “gravest crime against humanity,” urging the need for reparations as the next step. There is no peace in the world, leaders said, without healing and reparative justice for Africans across the diaspora.

This closely echoes the words of Brother Malcolm; he said our redress should be seen as a violation of human rights, and now the global record acknowledges it as such.

Though further support and action is still required, the UN resolution marks an important step towards the goals of our Ancestors. Queen Mother Moore long advocated for “the long overdue debt of forty acres and two mules, repay in land.” Malcolm X similarly strongly advocated for reparations for land for Black Americans, as the U.S. government has shown is possible.

Both of these leaders sought to bring the issues of land and justice in front of the UN. Now that those issues are there, we hold the hope of progress.

As Queen Mother Moore asserted, our spirits were never removed from Africa. We are still connected to that land and heritage. We have achieved much, but reparations — through land and other means — are required to be truly free from exploitation.

All roads lead back to land ownership. Colonizers erroneously see land as a portal to access resources, from precious minerals, to oil, timber and even people. For the rest of us, land signals security and communal self-reliance.

So, farmers, churches and communities continue working hand-in-hand. This is the unfinished work of our Ancestors. It is up to us to continue their legacy of liberation through collective land ownership.

The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the AFRO.

The post The basis of freedom: Reclaiming land as an act of liberation appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Based on reporting by Afro-American – Washington.

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For many diabetes patients, amputation becomes a last-resort measure after infections, ulcers, or poor circulation worsen rapidly and leave few other treatment options.

But according to Dr. Estelle Everett, a physician and researcher specializing in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism at the 

University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), most diabetes-related amputations can be prevented through early intervention, consistent medical care, and patient education.

For Everett, her commitment to diabetes prevention is deeply personal. Watching her younger sister navigate Type 1 diabetes exposed her early to the challenges many patients face, including barriers to advanced diabetes technologies such as continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps due to racial disparities in patient care. 

Those experiences helped shape her focus on prevention, education, and equitable access to care.

Dr. Everett spoke with California Black Media (CBM) about the warning signs of diabetic complications, prevention strategies, healthcare access, and the role of diabetes technology in improving outcomes.

What are some of the early warning signs that a person with diabetes may be developing circulation and nerve problems that could potentially lead to amputation?

Amputation is usually the final stage of diabetic foot disease. Earlier signs often involve nerve damage. Some people experience numbness, tingling, burning, or loss of sensation in their feet.

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Poor circulation is another warning sign. Symptoms can include calf pain while walking, foot pain at rest, cold feet, skin color changes, or wounds that do not heal properly. Foot ulcers, thick calluses, and untreated cuts can also become serious infections that may eventually lead to amputation if they are not treated early.

Before complications reach that stage, what are some early signs of diabetes itself that people should be looking out for?

Many people are walking around with diabetes and do not even realize it. Some patients first seek medical care only after they’ve already developed complications because they’ve had diabetes for years without knowing it.

That’s why routine screenings are so important. If you have diabetes, controlling it early can significantly reduce the risk of severe complications later on.

Many Black Californians harbor a degree of distrust in the healthcare system. What message would you send to encourage people to get regular checkups?

 Distrust is real, and there are many reasons people may avoid healthcare. Some fear discrimination or worry they’ll simply be judged instead of helped.

Personally, I realized some of the care my sister received may have been influenced by racial bias. Although she had diabetes for years, she was never offered diabetes technology like insulin pumps or continuous glucose monitors. When she finally asked about them, she was told she had to jump through many hoops. 

Later, I realized her experience wasn’t unique. Research shows that minority patients and people from lower-income backgrounds are less likely to be offered diabetes technology. That inspired me to focus my research on improving access for the populations that need these tools the most.

I think building trust is important. Finding the right doctor is almost like dating. If you don’t feel comfortable with your provider, it may help to find someone you connect with and feel understands your concerns. That relationship can make a major difference in getting consistent care.

Are there newer technologies or innovations in diabetes care that people should know about?

One of the biggest advances has been continuous glucose monitors, or CGMs. These small wearable devices track blood sugar levels in real time and have really changed diabetes care over the past decade.

For providers, CGMs give a much clearer picture of blood sugar patterns throughout the day. For patients, they provide immediate feedback about how food, exercise, and other daily habits affect blood sugar levels.

Someone may notice that certain foods cause major spikes while certain exercises lower their blood sugar. That real-time information helps people make healthier decisions and improve blood sugar control. Research shows these technologies can significantly improve outcomes.

What daily habits or preventative measures can reduce the risk of complications or even amputation?

The biggest thing is controlling your diabetes. A lot of people automatically think diabetes will lead to amputations, but research shows the risk is much lower when diabetes is well managed.

That means taking medications as prescribed, making dietary changes, and working to keep your A1C below 7. Managing high blood pressure and high cholesterol is also important because both contribute to circulation problems.

People should also inspect their feet every day, especially if they’ve already lost sensation. Some patients injure their feet without realizing it because they can’t feel the damage. Catching wounds early is critical. Good foot hygiene also plays a major role in prevention.

Are there any common misconceptions about diabetes that stand out to you in your clinical work with Black patients?

One major misconception is that diabetes medications cause complications like kidney failure or amputations. In reality, poorly controlled diabetes causes those complications — not the medications used to treat it.

Those misconceptions sometimes cause patients to avoid medications or stop taking them altogether. Another issue is that some people believe diet and exercise alone should always control diabetes. While lifestyle changes are important, some patients have severe diabetes that also requires medication.

Needing medication is not a personal failure. Sometimes diet and exercise alone are simply not enough, and medication is necessary to prevent serious complications.

This article is supported by the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF). Visit www.chcf.org 

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What Wellness Really Means: Four Black Women Leaders Share Their Practice

Contributing writer Tiffany Johnson talks with four Black women leaders in Minnesota, Reverend Joan Austin of Endure Women’s Ministries, Kelsey Joson of InControl, Dr. Ayanna Rakhu of Sankofa Swim International, and arts leader Serena Wright, about what wellness means across their very different fields. Their answers reveal common threads: protecting daily rituals, finding movement in small joys, and building community that tells the truth with love.

When you hear the word wellness, what comes to mind?

I posed that question to four Black women leaders across sectors in Minnesota: Reverend Joan Austin, founder of Endure Women’s Ministries, a nonprofit supporting women in ministry; Kelsey Joson, founder and CEO of InControl, a wellness hub for adults with disabilities; Dr. Ayanna Rakhu, founder and CEO of Sankofa Swim International, promoting healing for Black and brown bodies through water; and Serena Wright, arts leader and former director in the University of Minnesota’s Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs.

I invited each of them to share her perspective on what wellness means and how it shapes different areas of life. What emerged was a reservoir of wisdom, revealing the many ways wellness takes root, and the many ways these women have built their own leadership around it.

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Reverend Austin has served as an ordained minister for more than 25 years, and for the past decade she’s run her own nonprofit. “To me, wellness means being well-rounded spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically. It’s about nurturing each of those aspects of ourselves as we navigate the different experiences and challenges of life,” she said.

“I was at a point where I wanted to give up in ministry, and during prayer, the Lord told me not to give up. He said ‘He needed me to endure,’ and that’s where the name came from.” The name is also an acronym: Equipped, Nurtured, Devoted, United, Renewed and Empowered.

Joson, founder of InControl, has built her career around others’ wellness. “When I hear wellness, what comes to mind is how someone takes care of their body, and not just physically. Wellness was never meant to be one dimensional. It is everything that goes into being a whole human being, the mental piece, the emotional piece, the spiritual piece, all working together to create a firm foundation,” she said.

“InControl is devoted to solving the quality of life crisis for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Minnesota. We provide in-home coaching focused on physical health, nutrition and social emotional wellbeing, meeting clients exactly where they are and helping them build real agency and independence in their own lives.”

Dr. Rakhu leads Sankofa Swim International and serves on the board of V3 Sports, a wellness hub in North Minneapolis, teaching communities from Minnesota to Grenada. “When I hear the word wellness, I picture a set of scales,” she said. “Sometimes one side is heavier than the other, and sometimes they’re perfectly aligned. But the scales are always adjusting. That’s how I think about wellness.”

It’s no coincidence that Rakhu’s specialty exists in the world of water, where balance is essential for survival. She’s passionate about restoring healing in the Black community around its historic relationship with water, challenging stereotypes about Black people and swimming while acknowledging the historical trauma of the transatlantic slave trade and the African diaspora.

“I describe my work as liberation work because I believe healing our relationship with water is liberating,” she said. “The communities I serve are Black people and people of African descent. I’m especially concerned about that relationship. That’s where my work lies.”

Wright, a leader in Minnesota’s arts and education community, finds sanctuary in nature. “Nature has always been a part of who I am. I literally take the time to look at a leaf, because that brings me to life.” Her connection to nature feels fitting given her recent recognition at Flowers Now!: A Celebration of Black Elders of the Arts Community, presented by the Givens Collection of African American Literature in May 2026.

“Wellness is a body, mind and spirit connection,” Wright said. “It’s checking in with myself first, being willing to ask questions, seeking honest feedback and pushing through discomfort. I don’t want to be paralyzed by fear, because that’s how I continue to grow.”

Though Wright recently retired from her longstanding role at the University of Minnesota, she doesn’t see it as an ending, but as “a reset,” continuing part-time at the university while staying deeply engaged in the arts community.

These four women, different in practice, revealed real overlap in how they approach wellness, and leadership.

On community: “You don’t need people tearing you down. You need people who will tell you the truth with love,” Wright said.

On showing up over perfection: “I protect my mornings as time for myself first, before I give my attention to anything else,” Joson said.

On movement: “I really love to roller skate. It reminds me of my capability, reminds me of my joy,” Rakhu said. “Wellness doesn’t have to look like a gym. Movement can be the smallest things we do every day,” Wright added.

On where to start: “Start with prayer, because I know God will lead, guide and direct,” Austin said. Rakhu suggested something simpler: “Make a list. It gets things out of your head and into this world of manifestation.” Wright summed it up: “Wellness isn’t about taking one big step. It’s about the little things you do every day.”

Wellness looks different for everyone, but these women point to one universal truth: caring for ourselves allows us to better care for others. By investing in their own physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health, they’ve become stronger leaders, building lasting impact in the communities they serve.

To learn more, visit Endure Women’s Ministries at endurewomensministries.org, InControl at incontrolmn.com, or Sankofa Swim International at sankofaswim.com.

Tiffany Johnson is a contributing writer for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. She welcomes reader responses at tjohnson@spokesman-recorder.com.

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Based on reporting by Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

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