Black Health Explained (BHE) is an organization that exists to provide resources and services to the individuals who find themselves in the margins. Dispersing health information through a multimedia approach, BHE produces content, with a GenZ flare. Their website, Instagram page, and Spotify podcast promote practices for healthy living and brings awareness to conditions that disproportionately affect the Black community. BHE is where health meets culture.
Beginnings
In 2020, Faith Elise Metlock, PhD candidate at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, was struck by the ways racial tensions in the country, combined with the rapid spread of COVID-19, were disproportionately affecting Black communities, and she felt compelled to take action.
“There was so much misinformation being spread about the virus, so I tried to intervene by providing accurate health information to the communities that needed it most,’ Faith explained. “With mandatory restrictions on gathering, I wanted to find a way to reach people where they were, so I turned to social media.”
Faith began by creating Instagram posts featuring infographics on COVID-19 prevention and stress management. Her efforts quickly gained support from fellow students on campus, and together they formed a team. In 2022, they developed the Black Healthcare Directory, supported by funding received from various groups at The Ohio State University. This comprehensive, zip code-searchable resource connected individuals with Black healthcare providers in Columbus, Ohio, sharing provider bios, details on specialties, and availability to ensure accessible care.
New Direction
In its four years of operation, BHE has grown tremendously due to Faith’s foresight.
“Seeing the growing need for social media content creation and marketing, BHE has shifted gears,” Faith explains. BHE has evolved into an organization specializing in customized media and branding solutions for teams and organizations engaging with underrepresented communities, particularly Black adults. Notable collaborations include research teams at the School of Nursing including LINKED Studies and THRIVE, and School of Public Health AFFIRME. “The revenue generated from these efforts directly support the operations of our newly founded, BHE Foundation,” Faith adds.
BHE Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded to expand on BHE’s core principles, operating in two distinct capacities: promoting health literacy and providing mentorship. BHE Foundation received 501(c)(3) status in January 2024 and currently consists of six staff members and three board members, all of whom are Ohio State University graduates:
- Faith Elise Metlock, President, Founder & Founding Board Member
- Lauren Lemons, Vice-President, Founding Board Member
- Aareha Hope, Treasurer, Founding Board Member
- Kendra Asiedu, Director of External Affairs, Strategy and Development
- Kasie Rogers Director of Internal Affairs, Strategy and Development
- Stephanie Ogonuwe Director, Health Literacy
- Leslie Entsuah Director, Health Literacy
- Chinwe Ekeocha Director, Health Literacy
- Kayla Marshall, Director, Mentorship Program
Current Impact
BHE Foundation delivers health literacy content through four key platforms: Website, Instagram, Spotify Podcast, and LinkedIn. The website hosts the expanded Black Healthcare Directory, now including providers and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) across Ohio’s major cities. It also features the Policy Explained blog series, which highlights healthcare advocacy, policy change, and community organizing. Website visitors can also access links to wellness resources like food pantries, mental health services, and financial assistance.
The BHE Foundation Podcast on Spotify engages field experts in thoughtful conversations about health issues facing today’s Black youth. On Instagram, BHE Foundation shares weekly infographics, photos, and reels that provide peer-reviewed health information. LinkedIn helps build professional networks and foster opportunities for growth by sharing achievements and connecting with like-minded professionals.
BHE Foundation’s mentorship program, She’s the Provider, is designed to support women of color pursuing careers in healthcare, aiming to close access gaps and diversify the workforce. In its first iteration, mentees were paired with mentors to offer peer support and guidance based on lived experiences. Participants also attended monthly sessions featuring workshops, panel discussions, and guest speakers focused on personal and professional development.
BHE Foundation champions health equity by equipping individuals with the knowledge to make informed health choices and support underrepresented students in achieving success in healthcare professions. Furthermore, BHE Foundation has a vision of a thriving Black community where discussing health challenges is no longer taboo, and members, as well as allies, of the community collaborate to ensure that more youth can celebrate the joy of healthy living far into their old age.
Looking Ahead
Throughout the rest of 2024 and into 2025, BHE Foundation has exciting developments on the horizon.BHE Foundation is set to launch a new mobile app that will provide a space to more broadly and meaningfully engage with the community it has cultivated through its Instagram following. “We want to transform followers into community members that feel connected to the mission, to the team, and to each other.” Faith explained.
The app will serve as a community space that will feature weekly health infographics, accompanied by blog posts for detailed explanations. Discussion forums will be where users can interact and get insights from both peers and BHE Foundation team members. Additionally, monthly webinars featuring guest experts that will share knowledge, life experiences, and helpful advice, all for free.
This community space will also have a student-centered tiered mentorship component for individuals applying to healthcare programs. Students seeking a more tailored experience can unlock personalized video chats with team members and additional webinars with graduate students and professors that focus on professional school application processes, among other perks. “Our goal is to cultivate a sense of belonging— to create a positive and inclusive environment where members feel safe to share their thoughts, build meaningful connections and offer support.” Faith added.
Faith and her team are moving the needle through their health literacy initiatives and mentorship programs, empowering individuals to make informed choices about their well-being. Our team, led by young adults, brings a fresh perspective, allowing us to develop innovative solutions that support and promote healthy living for all. Through this dynamic approach, we strive to create a future where health education and access are within everyone’s reach.
Join the Community
Through targeted programs and partnerships, we aim to address root causes and disparities, fostering holistic approaches that promote equitable health outcomes for all individuals and communities. You can be a part of that change!
BHE Foundation invites you to discover a wealth of resources designed to empower you on your journey to better health. Explore our informative infographics, insightful blog posts, engaging videos, and enriching podcasts—all crafted to provide valuable insights and practical tips for improving your well-being.
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @bhexplained
Website: https://www.bhexplained.org
Spotify: The BHE Foundation Podcast
LinkedIn: Black Health Explained Foundation
This blog is a part of the “Dialogues in Health Equity” series by the Health Equity Faculty Interest Group. They are committed to decreasing health disparities experienced by local and global communities by promoting social justice and health equity through nursing practice, research, education, and service.