Compassion & Choices Launches Its Educate, Empower and Advocate Campaign to Promote Legacy Planning and End-of-Life Options for African Americans
The organization releases videos highlighting the work of the organization’s African American Leadership Council and noted economist Dr. Julianne Malveaux.
Washington, DC — Today, Compassion and Choices, the nation’s largest nonprofit working to improve care, expand options, and empower everyone to chart their end-of-life journey, announced the launch of their EDUCATE, EMPOWER & ADVOCATE campaign. The campaign is designed to encourage Black communities to start early getting their affairs in order before the death of a loved one or family member.
Under the direction of its African American Leadership Council and with the help of Dr. Julianne Malveaux, a noted economist and author, Compassion and Choices have developed several tools to educate and empower Black communities in the dying process.
“Oftentimes, particularly in our community, we avoid talking about dying and have not taken the necessary steps to prepare for it,” said Brandi Alexander, National Director of Community Engagement, Compassion, and Choices. “Many inequities in the healthcare system are only perpetuated by this avoidance. Fact is planning equals peace.”
The Black community has been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, which elevated our efforts to provide information and tools to help change the way we approach the dying process.
“Research shows older African Americans are less likely to have a plan for their end-of-life care than their white counterparts, said Dr. Julianne Malveaux, a MIT educated economist, author and former HBCU president. “This causes unpleasant end-of-life experiences and sometimes dissension within our families. To protect our legacy and finances, we have to do better.”
To learn more about Compassion and Choices’ African American Leadership Council and its campaign, view our End-of-Life Planning video, as well as one-minute video profiles featuring community advocates highlighted during Black History Month 2021.
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