May is nationally recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to reflect on the importance of emotional well-being and the need for inclusive, culturally responsive approaches to care. In this spirit, Cultural Competency: Engaging the African Diaspora serves as a vital initiative aimed at improving the physical and mental health of African immigrant communities in the United States.
This initiative is rooted in the belief that engaging African immigrants in health promotion and disease prevention must be both culturally informed and community-driven. It seeks to redefine aspects of the U.S. lifestyle in ways that are inclusive and beneficial for all, particularly for those whose cultural narratives have often been left out of mainstream health discussions.
Engaging the African Diaspora is more than a conversation—it’s a call to action. The program prioritizes culturally competent leadership development and advocacy as tools to address persistent health disparities. By leveraging the lived experiences, traditional values, and community strengths of African immigrants, we can begin to find innovative, community-based solutions that improve long-term health outcomes.
A core focus of this work is the disproportionate prevalence of chronic physical and mental health issues that many African immigrants face upon settling in the U.S. Factors such as stigma, lack of culturally appropriate information, language barriers, and limited access to quality care all contribute to poor health outcomes and underutilization of services. These challenges are especially profound when it comes to mental health—an area often surrounded by silence and misunderstanding in immigrant communities.
Through this initiative, we aim to introduce a culturally grounded model for health and mental health engagement—one that includes the direct participation of community leaders and is tailored to the unique needs of African immigrant populations. This promising practice has already shown success in African communities across Los Angeles County, offering a scalable approach that centers dignity, relevance, and respect.
Engaging the African Diaspora also affirms the importance of including immigrant voices in broader health policy and practice. It highlights the need to preserve and uplift the positive values and healing traditions within African cultures that contribute to overall well-being, especially during the acculturation process.
The workshops that make up this initiative demonstrate the power of grassroots mobilization in addressing the holistic health needs of African immigrants. They serve as powerful examples of what becomes possible when communities are given the tools, support, and space to lead.
This May, let us honor Mental Health Awareness Month by supporting efforts like Engaging the African Diaspora—efforts that pave the way for culturally competent mental health education, outreach, and services. Together, we can foster a system of care that truly embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion.
