The Californer - NMHA Launches Art Initiative to Raise Awareness of Health Equity

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Board member and visual storyteller Angelica McKinley to lead the
National Minority Health Association's new art alliance

OWINGS MILLS, Md. - Californer -- The National Minority Health Association (NMHA), a leading voice for health equity that drove the establishment of Minority Health Offices in all 50 states, announced the launch of THE.Art Alliance (The Health Equity Art Alliance).

THE.Art Alliance will help raise awareness of health equity and connect the artistic and digital worlds while educating underserved and marginalized communities on new technologies – through an artistic lens. Historically, these communities have been left behind and on the far side of the digital divide.

This effort will be led by globally renowned, tech-savvy visual storyteller Angelica McKinley.

"I am thrilled to be part of such a cutting-edge artistic project," said McKinley. "When I joined the NMHA's Board, I purposely desired to use my artistic talent, knowledge of tech, and position to bring a voice to those without one as it relates to achieving optimal health outcomes. THE.Art Alliance is an excellent example of health equity in action for the underserved," she added.

McKinley is a creative leader who thrives at the intersection of storytelling and technology. Currently, she is Creative Director at The Walt Disney Company. Previously, McKinley expanded art direction and visual expression on the world's most visited website through highly impactful, emotionally resonant iterations of Google's logo, centering on globally diverse artists, cultural nuance, and nostalgia. Before Google, she created visuals at Apple News, Slack, and The New York Times.

"We welcome the expertise and creative leadership that Angelica brings to THE.Art Alliance," said Burgess Harrison, Executive Director of NMHA.

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So, what is THE.Art Alliance? First, "THE" is for The Health Equity. And "Alliance" is the collaboration or collection of various artists coming together for a worthy cause.

Quite simply, it's a way that known and unknown artists, whether visual or in music and spoken word, sculptors, photographers, etc., can use their art to raise awareness of health and health equity and begin to educate underserved communities on tech (e.g., the difference in Web 2.0 vs. Web 3.0).

Artists who join the Alliance allow the NMHA to sell their current or new work, with a portion of proceeds going toward supporting the organization's health equity mission.

"Our hope is that the art produced through this project, in all forms, fosters discussion on health and the lack of equity for underserved and marginalized communities," said Harrison. "Another benefit of art is its emotional healing power, and we want to bring that to light. And along the way, if we can introduce new artists to the world—all the better," he added.

NMHA's first featured artist is Ofobuike Okudoh. A Nigerian-born, visual artist and designer, he expresses his creative prowess through ethereal lines, rich textures, and colors. Okudoh says lines, layered scribbles, and patterns are the main avenues through which life emanates from his delicate pen, ink, and oil pastel illustrations.

"Part of understanding health equity is grasping how implicit bias plays a role in influencing our perspective. People interpret bias in different ways, just as people interpret art," said Harrison.

To learn more about THE.Art Alliance, purchase art, support the NMHA's mission for health equity, and/or if you are an artist interested in joining, please click on the following link: https://www.thenmha.org/the-art-alliance.

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About the National Minority Health Association

The National Minority Health Association was founded in 1988 by Dr. David L. Dalton, Chairman, and CEO of UNIVEC, INC. Today, the NMHA is administering an $11.1M HRSA grant to reduce COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and deploy new programs that focus on patient-centered, value-based care, reduce costs, and improve outcomes for minorities and underserved communities, all in its mission to bring about health equity for all. To learn more, please visit www.theNMHA.org.

NMHA also welcomes new members to the Health Equity Action Leaders network and encourages donations to combat health inequity through https://www.thenmha.org/donation.

You can add your voice to the call for health equity at:

Twitter: @thenmha
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenmha
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/nmha
Instagram: @nationalminorityhealth
THE.Art Alliance: https://www.thenmha.org/the-art-alliance

To learn more about Angelica McKinley, please click the following link: https://www.angelicamckinley.com

To learn more about Ofobuike Okudoh, please click the following link: https://www.ofobuikeokudoh.com