Happily Divorced And After

McKenzie Jackson, California Black Media

California advocates and consumers urge renewed effort and focus

By McKenzie Jackson, California Black Media

Last May, Covered California, the state’s health insurance marketplace,  announced the awarding of $37 million in grants that would flow to a total of nearly 300 organizations, all working to conduct outreach and develop tailored education plans about affordable health care coverage available through the state exchange.

Targeting a total of 9 million Californians, 32 grants were said to be focused on African-American outreach, compared to 37 targeting Latinos. Twenty-seven grants were focused on Caucasian outreach and education, with 20 aimed at the Asian-Pacific Islander community.

These efforts are widely perceived to have been in good faith. But with so few African-Americans enrolled in Obamacare benefits through the state exchange questions linger about the effectiveness of the outreach. As of last month, only about 11,000 blacks were on the Covered California rolls, representing about 3.1 percent of enrollees, despite numbering seven percent of the state’s total population..

“We definitely need to increase the outreach to African-Americans,” said Karen D. Lincoln, a professor of social work at the University of Southern California and founder of the organization Advocates for African-American Elders. “I think the fact that the primary method of enrollment is via the Internet, there is a large segment of our population who cannot enroll. Now, among the general population of African-Americans, there is certainly more use of social media, but access can be a problem.

Advocates are now stepping in to help boost the effectiveness of the outreach. For example, The California Endowment, in partnership with DHCS, has launched a $23 million statewide effort to boost Medi-Cal enrollment in 36 counties across the state.

Considering the numbers, those efforts appear to be worthwhile. According to Covered California, as of 2013 there were 8.5 million Californians enrolled in Medi-Cal. Thanks to Obamacare, up to two million more residents of are expected to be eligible this year, with a significant percentage of those potential enrolleesbelieved to be African-American.

Thomas Duncan, CEO of Trusted Health Plan, a Washington D.C.-based managed healthcare organization, argues that African-Americans are poised to be among the chief benefactors of the healthcare law. In an article entitled “African-Americans will benefit greatly from Obamacare,” published February 6 in the International Business Times, Duncan wrote that a disproportionate percentage of blacks will become newly eligible for health coverage.

“Prior to the Affordable Care Act, our nation’s healthcare system was discriminatory to both lower- and middle-wage workers,” he wrote. “But now, Obamacare opens the door to preventive, primary, and strategic specialty care for millions of African-Americans and others.”

“Black people, we need that,” said Joseph Thomas, a 31-year-old Woodland Hills resident. He estimates that the Covered California plan he recently obtained online with his domestic partner would save their household about $1,200 per year. “[It’s important because] we don’t seem to go to the doctor as regularly as we should, but we always seem to have health issues and die earlier.”

To find out where you or a loved one can enroll in person go to www.coveredca.com and click on find local help.

Next week: In African-American communities statewide, churches remain the de facto town square. How are black faith organizations stepping up to encourage enrollment in affordable healthcare?

Diana Hex

LOS ANGELES, CA- As we close out Black History Month and jump into Woman’s History Month in March, we would love to introduce our readers to professional dancer and celebrity trainer, Diana Hex, who not only is breaking barriers in the aerobics arena but is also a full time mom who exemplifies why we celebrate “Women’s History Month”.

Hex is originally from Birmingham, Alabama, but grew up in Los Angeles. Dancing has always been embedded in her genes. Her mother was a professional dancer, so she has taken on the torch and followed in her footsteps. As she evolved into the world of dance, Diana started teaching Hip-Hop and Cardio Sculpt at the Madonna Grimes Dance/Fitness Theater in West Los Angeles when she was asked to join an aerobics class. At first it was tiring, but the more that she became involved in it, she started to fall in love with it; and her fitness journey in competitions began.

“I really just broadened my whole world,” she stated.

This year is off to a running start for the fitness coach. She recently participated in The Fit Expo, which was held in Los Angeles, where she participated as a model for Promera Sports. As one of the company’s newest ambassadors, she handed out products and motivated participation in contests and poster signings by IFBB bodybuilder Fred “Biggie” Smalls and IFBB bikini model Ana Delia De Iturrondo. The event set the bar for more opportunities resulting in an invitation to participate in The Arnold Sports Festival and Fitness Weekend, which kicks off on February 28 in Ohio.

In addition to the expo events, the former LA Clipper’s cheer leader’s primary goal for this year is to get back into competitions. She will be participating in “Ms Fitness Inland Empire” on April 5 in Corona, and “Miss Fitness Hollywood” on June 28. It has been over five years since she was involved in a competition. The last one was in 2009 where she won fourth place in the “Miss Fitness” competition.

“I want to get back into it. I’m very excited and confident. I feel that I am in the best shape of my life”, Ms. Hex said.

Other plans for the year include participation in the LA Marathon for the first time; choreographing and assisting as the associate producer of an exercise video that is designed to motivate others to have fun while getting in shape; she will also be finishing her book entitled, Diana Hex: 30 Day Success Journal, which will showcase her passion for dance and helping others reach their goals; and she will be continuing to teach her Zumba classes throughout the week.

Overall, Diana Hex wants to assist others in completing their journey to become better within themselves on a healthier scale. Many of us start an exercise regiment and stick to it for a few days, but then we fall off. For starters, the sought after coach has provided three easy steps to help in accomplishing your goals, which is to create a fitness collage of the things that inspire you that you can look back at and reflect on; next is to find a role model that can help get you on the right track; and lastly, create a 3-by-3 month plan of your goals, write them down and hang them up somewhere.

For more tips or to take a Zumba class, please visit www.dianahexfitness.com. She is accepting new choreography and training clients and would be glad to assist you in getting back on the right track.

Ameenah Fuller

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Ameenah Fuller is running for California State Senate District 23. Recently reported by Inland Scene Magazine, this is a very important State Senate race which covers San Bernardino, Riverside and Los Angeles counties. Volunteers are needed to phone bank and canvass for this open seat. If Fuller does not win this seat, Mike Morral (Tea Party Republican) will win and plans to dismantle the healthcare system (Covered California).

The election will be held on March 25. Early voting has started and runs to March 24. Fuller’s campaign office is located at 1254 South Waterman Avenue, suite 10 in San Bernardino, just 2 miles away from the voter registers office. For more information or to volunteer, please call 424-262-2562.

Fuller is a Government and Business Consultant with over 25 years of experience in healthcare providing compliance measures with recommendations to administrative and corporate staff at hospitals and medical facilities in California. She has also worked to recover Medicare funds to prevent fraud and abuse. Fuller believes in supporting policies that make sense for the constituents in the district. She supports and advocates polices on senior rights, education, healthcare, environment, economic empowerment, and green technology. She is also a supporter of tax credits for builders that build affordable green homes. She believes that the new green homes and businesses is the way of the future in California.

Ms. Fuller received a citation for her accomplishments and holds a Masters of Arts in Public Policy. For more information on the candidate, visit http://www.votefuller2014.com/.

RIVERSIDE, CA- The Riverside NAACP is looking for high school aged students from grades 9-12 to participate in the Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) 2014 competition. The competition serves to showcase the hard working students who want to participate and show off their skills in the following categories: Science, Humanities, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, and Business. The application deadline is Monday, February 24. Mentoring days are Sunday, March 2 and Sunday, March 9. The local competition will be held on Sunday, March 16. Finalists will be eligible to compete at the National Competition July 19 to 23 in Las Vegas.  (ACT-SO) is a major youth initiative of the NAACP that provides a forum through which youth of African descent demonstrate academic, artistic and scientific prowess and expertise, thereby gaining the same recognition often only reserved for entertainers and athletes. Anyone interested in applying please download an application from the Riverside NAACP website www.naacp-riverside.org. Completed Applications should be sent to Riverside NAACP- P.O Box 55131- Riverside, CA 92517 or faxed to 951-324-9603.

RIALTO, CA- The San Bernardino Pacesetters will be hosting their 4^th Annual Drill Team and Drum Squad Competition on March 8 at Rialto High School, 595 Eucalyptus Avenue in Rialto.  Tickets are $10 for ages 12 and up and $5 for ages 5 to 11. The door will open at 10 a.m.  The San Bernardino Pacesetters have been in existence since 1959 and have continued their tradition.  With the help of friends and family this team continues to flourish.  Please come out and support them and show teams from the Inland Empire, Los Angeles, Northern California and Las Vegas that their hard work and talent is appreciated.  If you have any questions please contact them at sbpacesetters@gmail.com.

CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA- Let’s celebrate the significance and history of cowboys of color and the American West! The one and only “American Charity Rodeo” will take place on February 22 at 16200 Temple Avenue in the City of Industry. This event will be filled with exciting preshow events, multi-cultural rodeo, education, food, and fun for all ages. Doors open at 1 p.m. and the show starts at 1:30 p.m. Children’s tickets are $17 in advance and $19 at the gate; adults are $20 in advance and $24 at the gate; and celebrity arena seats are $30 in advance and $32 at the gate. The proceeds from this event go to benefit local charities. For sponsorship, vendor, and group sales information call 310-674-6700. This is a onetime event so don’t miss out! (Written by Noelle Lilley)

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools presents Gary S. Thomas Ed. D. County Superintendent’s “State of Education: Transforming Lives on the Roadmap to Success”.  This event will take place at the California Theatre in San Bernardino, 562 W. 4^th Street. The afternoon will start at 3:30 p.m. and conclude at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25. Don’t miss out on what’s going on in our schools. To RSVP call 909-386-2413. (Written by Noelle Lilley)

LOS ANGELES, CA- National College Resources Foundation will be presenting the 15^th Annual Los Angeles Black College Expo on February 22. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Middle school, high school and college students looking to transfer should come out to find out more information on scholarships, financial resources, seminars, workshops, and one-on-one meetings with college recruiters and admissions committees. In addition, you don’t want to miss the step show from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Students should bring transcripts, SAT scores, and ACT scores for possible on the spot acceptances. Tickets are $10 at the door and $8 online. For more info and updates go online to facebook.com/blackcollegeexpo, twitter.com/blkcollegeexpo, or thecollegeexpo.com. You can also call 877-427-4100. (Written by Noelle Lilley)

Pat Harvey, Channel 9 news anchor, will be honored at the High Desert Black History Month celebration.

HESPERIA, CA- It’s almost time to reconnect with our roots and honor our ancestors. That’s right, Black History Month! Come spend it at the High Desert Black History Month 2014 Celebration in honor of the late Nelson Mandela. The theme this year is, “A Legacy of Hope”. The event will take place on Sunday, February 23 at Seventh Day Adventist Church, 9875 Seventh Ave in Hesperia from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Honorees include Channel 9 News Anchor Pat Harvey and Pastor Jon and Leita Harris of Castle Rock Christian Church. Hosted by BET comedian Annie McKnight, enjoy an evening of cultural education, wonderful entertainment, and delicious food! For information on vendor space call (760) 887-3746. (Written by Noelle Lilley)

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Internationally acclaimed poet and author, Mr. Eddie Bell, shared his career as a poet and discussed his poetry and writings at the PAL Center and Charter Academy in San Bernardino on Thursday, February 13.

Mr. Bell, a motivational speaker and educational consultant, told of his personal experiences, and related stories about people and life experiences through the eyes of a Black man. Several members of the audience noted similar experiences of inequitable treatment to overcome during their lifetime. The overarching theme was to overcome all obstacles and achieve the goals that one sets for self.

His poems about life evoked deeply felt emotions as he presented in oral form. He is the recipient of multiple grants from the New York Foundation for the Arts, the French Ministry of Culture, and other sources. His works, published in English, have also been translated into French and Russian. Accessible to audiences old and young, and without racial or cultural barriers, during the question and answer period, the totally immersed students and teachers exhibited their intense appreciation of the opportunity to interact with this very personable and noted poet.

Mr. Bell was accompanied by Dr. Brian Haynes, Vice Presidentof Student Affairs at California State University San Bernardino.