The disproportionate impact of pressing health conditions in the African American community is well documented. Stated reasons for these disparities vary. Some say life choices. Others focus on healthcare bias. The Minority Majority is a four-part series presented by the 400 Years of African American History Commission (400YAAHC) in collaboration with Evidence for Action: Investigator-Initiated Research to Build a Culture of Health, a program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
The series highlights four health issues that exist in the African American community: Strokes, Prostate Cancer, Kidney Disease, and Maternal Mortality. Although it is well documented that these health conditions exist in the broader majority population, it is unimaginable that so many within the small immediate and extended family of the 400YAAHC would make up the growing statistics of those afflicted.
The series profiles Dr. Rex Ellis, Chair Emeritus of the 400YAAHC and a multi-stroke survivor; Kaylen Rogers, the daughter of Commissioner Superintendent Lewis Rogers, who was diagnosed with a tumor on her kidney; Ted Ellis, Chairman of the 400YAAHC, and Daryl Diggs, the husband of Commissioner Dr. Gwendolyn Diggs are Prostate Cancer survivors; and Edgar Patton, the nephew of Executive Director Addie Richburg celebrated the birth of a beautiful baby girl and two days later mourned the death of his wife.
Episode 1: Premiered 4/28/2024
In this episode, Dr. Yohuru Williams, Academic and Author, provides highlights of the upcoming series that will focus on Strokes, Kidney Disease, Prostate Cancer, and Maternal Health. We meet Dr. Rex Ellis, Chair Emeritus of the 400 Years of African American History Commission, and his wife Paulette. Dr. Ellis is a two-time stroke survivor and shares his experience when he had a second stroke; Darryl Diggs, the husband of Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Diggs and a prostate cancer survivor; Kaylen Rogers, daughter of Commissioner Superintendent Lewis Rogers, who had a tumor removed from her kidney; and Edgar Patton, III, nephew of Addie Richburg, Executive Director of the Commission. Edgar and his wife Jasmine gave birth to a beautiful baby girl and two days later, Jasmine died.
Episode 2: Premiered 5/12/2024
In this episode, Dr. Yohuru Williams sheds light on a crisis that is occurring among women in the United States that also disproportionately impacts African American women. The United States has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among high-income nations. 700 women die annually as a result of pregnancy complications. African American women are 4-5 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women and most of those deaths are preventable. Edgar Patton III and his wife Jasmine gave birth to Emery, a beautiful baby girl. But two days later, Jasmine was dead. As a part of his healing, Edgar says that he is sharing his story to bring attention to this growing crisis. Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL) along with Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC) co-chair the Black Maternal Health Caucus and have sponsored the Momnibus Act that addresses this issue.
Episode 3: Premiered 4/1/2025
In this episode, we look at Kidney Disease and Stroke. African Americans are 3 times as likely to have kidney failure as their white counterparts. Executive Director Addie Richburg shares how she deals with the disease. We also hear from Thomas Gay who talks about kidney transplants. Also in this episode, we look at Stroke, a disease that African Americans are 50% more likely to suffer compared to other ethnic groups. African American men have a higher prevalence of and a higher death rate than any other racial group from stroke. Dr. Rex Ellis, Chair Emeritus of the 400YAAHC, shares his journey as he rehabilitates from a second stroke.
Episode 4: Premiered 4/11/2025
In this episode, we look at Prostate Cancer. African American men have the highest incidence of Prostate cancer in the world. Ted Ellis, Chairman of the 400YAAHC shares how his early detection was instrumental in his successful treatment as does Darryl Diggs, husband of Commissioner Dr Gwendolyn Diggs, who was able to dance at his daughter’s Dr. Raju Homas, Chairman of Urology at Tulane University stresses the importance of screening for the disease, especially if there is a family history, and the need for early treatment.
