Black Wellness

In the tradition of our ancestors, EAT believes health is not only about the proper functioning of our bodily organs; true health consists of mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional stability for your self, family, and community. Inspired by this African wholistic approach to everyday living and wellness, EAT presents a comprehensive Black Wellness program available to all current and potential members.

As an organization led by and for system-impacted people, EAT intimately understands the harmful narratives that have been imposed upon our communities. Our members are often forced into a survival mindset with little space to explore their identity beyond what these narratives tell them, leading to feelings of low self-esteem and self-worth. EAT recognizes the need to interrupt these narratives and create space for our members to thrive. The Black Wellness program was designed to do just that.

This 8-week program will introduce tools to help participants gain agency over their identities and provide support to access the resources they need to lead full, thriving lives. More broadly, the program aims to build leaders within our community—leaders equipped with tools, support, and resources to navigate barriers and overcome the stigmas imposed upon them. This is key to building power among Black informal workers!

Throughout 2024, EAT will run three cohorts of 20 participants each. Each cohort will last eight weeks and meet two to three times weekly. The program’s objectives focus on helping participants grow their sense of self-esteem and self-worth while developing a deeper understanding of their identities and communities.

Program topics include:

• Educational Plan Development: Identifying necessary hard skills and resources needed to succeed.
• Financial Literacy Course: Covering budgeting, debt reduction, and credit building.
• Overall Health and Wellness: Focusing on hydration, healthy eating, and physical activity.
• Mental Health and Well-Being: Introducing mental agility practices such as shifting between big-picture thinking and focused work. Individual therapy available upon request.
• Political Education: Providing a deep dive into how political systems function, identifying legislators, and learning how to hold them accountable.