02/20/2026
Black History & Hip-Hop
We must credit African American culture that has created much of what is considered American culture, especially the cultural arts we practice and celebrate: 🎶 🕺🏾🎨
Let’s distill this down to Hip-Hop culture. Rap music, our cnn, soundtrack to the streets ~ our lives coming up from school age - adulthood. We acknowledge the artists (pictured here) that have passed due to strokes and stroke related deaths.
Nate Dogg 41
Biz Markie 57
BO$$ 54
Craig Mack 46
Arts & Public Health: Stroke Risk in the Black American Community
Our nonprofit highlights the critical intersection of arts and public health, recognizing health challenges in African American communities, specifically the high risk of stroke.
♥️ Empathy: Black Americans face a higher stroke risk and mortality, often receiving less treatment for complications—a systemic inequality requiring urgent attention.
🧠 Awareness: Racism in healthcare and chronic stress from discrimination significantly contribute to this higher risk, leading to conditions like high blood pressure.
💭 Call to Action: We must question disparities (e.g., would a white patient receive better care?) and advocate for equitable treatment.
🔑 Keys to prevent stroke: Control blood pressure, maintain a healthy diet and weight, get regular activity, stop smoking, and manage conditions like diabetes and high cholesterol. These lifestyle changes can significantly reduce your stroke risk, with up to 80% of strokes being preventable.
🤲🏽 What Can We Do: Learn F.A.S.T. stroke signs (Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911) and schedule regular check-ups.
Take Action: Visit stroke.org or call 1-888-4-STROKE.
Awareness, prevention, and advocacy save lives.——(Sources: American Stroke Association, Mayo Clinic)
Links:
American Stroke Association. Let’s Talk About Black Americans and Stroke. https://www.stroke.org/en/help-and-support/resource-library/lets-talk-about-stroke/black-americans
Mayo Clinic (2024). Stroke. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stroke/symptoms-causes/syc-20350113
