MEDIA

Jackson recognizes September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
WJTV

JACKSON, Miss. – Mayor John Horhn has declared September 2025 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men in the U.S., with African American men disproportionately affected.

This month, the City of Jackson will partner with local organizations to promote early detection, screenings, and education on prostate health.

Black Men's Health Equity Conference addresses damaging effects of stigma
Jackson Advocate

Approximately 300 people attended the conference, with most attendees being Black men of varying ages. They engaged with health experts who served as panelists and vendors, exchanging information and providing free health screenings for chronic issues such as high blood pressure, kidney disease, diabetes, cancer, and mental health issues.

Institute helps families prepare for baby and beyond.
The Mississippi Link

Jackson, Miss. — Metro-area moms and families gathered at the Jackson Medical Mall on August 16 for Baby & Beyond: A Mommy-to-Be Resource Fair, hosted by the Institute for the Advancement of Minority Health. The free event connected expectant parents with practical education, on-site demonstrations, and essential supplies to help them prepare for a healthy pregnancy, delivery, and newborn transition.

Conference targets health equity for Black men in Mississippi
WJTV

The annual Black Men’s Health Equity Conference took place Saturday at Tougaloo College in Jackson, hosted by the Institute for the Advancement of Minority Health. The event addressed the alarming disparities Black men face, including some of the nation’s highest rates of chronic diseases and lowest access to care.

Institute for the Advancement of Minority Health hosts Black Men's Health Equity Conference
WLBT

The Black Men’s Health Equity Conference returned to Tougaloo College on August 23, bringing attention to the mental and physical health challenges faced by African American men across Mississippi. Hosted by the Institute for the Advancement of Minority Health, the event emphasized the importance of supporting Black men as the backbone of family and community life. Founder and CEO Sandra Melvin noted the role of historically Black colleges in fostering healthier communities and stronger families. A central theme of the conference was prioritizing mental health in the Black community.

Baby and Beyond Resource Fair Shines on WJTV
WJTV

LaTasha Rice, Program Manager, recently appeared on WJTV to spotlight the upcoming Baby and Beyond: A Mommy-to-Be Resource Fair. Expecting mothers and families can look forward to a day filled with free lunch, exciting giveaways, yoga demonstrations, and valuable local resources. With August marking National Breastfeeding Month, the fair will feature special information and support for breastfeeding moms. Don’t miss this chance to connect, learn, and celebrate motherhood in a warm and welcoming community.

Back-to-School supply giveaways
Jackson Advocate

The Institute for the Advancement of Minority health, in partnership with Word and Worship Church, collected hundreds of school supply items to help students across the Metro Jackson  area start the new school year prepared. Church members, state health agencies, and community organizations dropped off notebooks, pencils, crayons, glue, and other classroom necessities at Word and Worship Church.

Black mothers in Mississippi report higher rates of postpartum depression
Mississippi Public Broadcasting

Dr. Sandra Melvin, CEO of the Institute for the Advancement of Minority Health, explains that the combination of hormonal changes, systemic racism, and communication barriers with healthcare providers intensifies the risk of mental health struggles for Black mothers. New data from the Mississippi State Department of Health reveal that 25% of new Black mothers in the state reported symptoms of postpartum depression (PPD) in 2021, a markedly higher rate than the 17.6% reported by White mothers

Baby and Beyond: A Mommy-to-Be Resource Fair
Jackson Advocate

The Jackson Advocate is shining a spotlight on the upcoming Baby and Beyond: A Mommy-to-Be Resource Fair, an event celebrating Breastfeeding Awareness Month.

The Institute supports families facing diaper insecurity
The Mississippi Link

As families across the Metro Jackson area prepare for the back-to-school season, the Institute for the Advancement of Minority Health is addressing a critical yet often overlooked public health issue, diaper insecurity.

Institute for the Advancement of Minority Health hosts Black Men's Health Equity Conference
The Mississippi Link

The Institute for the Advancement of Minority Health will host its third annual Black Men's Health Equity Conference at 9 a.m., Saturday, August 23, 2025, in the Bennie G. Thompson Academic and Civil Rights Center at Tougaloo College.

Community Connections
ISSUE: Spring 2025

• Black Men's Health Equity Conference Updates
• Black Maternal Health Week
• Health Advocacy Efforts

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated donated Feminine Hygiene Products to the Institute for the Advancement of Minority Health
The Mississippi Link

In observance of Period Poverty Week, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Rho Lambda Omega Chapter donated over 100 menstrual hygiene items to the Institute for the Advancement of Minority Health's Maternal and Child Health Program. Period Poverty Week is May 12-18, 2025. A survey from U by Kotex says, two in five people who need period supplies have struggled to buy them. This donation will help reduce these issues for those utilizing the Institute's MCH program.

Black Men's Health Equity Conference
Warren Jones discusses the upcoming men's conference.

Did you miss Live at 9 on WJTV? Click the link below and hear Warren Jones discuss the upcoming men's conference 

Journalist Roland Martin to headline Black Men's Health Equity Conference in Jackson
Award-winning journalist Roland Martin!

Award-winning journalist Roland Martin is coming to Jackson, MS this summer. Martin is the keynote speaker for the third annual Black Men's Health Equity Conference sponsored by the Institute for the Advancement of Minority Health. 

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Community Connections
ISSUE: Winter 2025

• Inaugural Teen Summit
• HIV Awareness with HBCUs
• CEO on the Move

Community Connections
ISSUE: Spring/Summer

• Institute declares that Black Men Matter
• Breastfeeding Initiative helps moms in Central MS and the MS Delta
• Outreach activities help reduce disparities