From the Desk of
the Director
Yvette Kaufman-Bell
Executive Director
By Yvette Kaufman Bell
Since the New Mexico Office of African American Affairs (O.A.A.A.) was legislatively enacted in 1999, the agency has embarked on many unique and groundbreaking initiatives to improve the quality of life for Blacks in our state. This year is no different as we continue to work on behalf of Black men, women, children and families around the State of New Mexico.
The O.A.A.A., along with our partners, have organized the agency’s first Black Child Wellbeing Summit as a part of the 2018 New Mexico Black Expo. Our children are facing troubling times. With positive mentors and advocates, they can overcome. They are a generation’s greatest asset and link to a better future. It is the responsibility of the adults in their lives to ensure they have access to the quality of life and futures they so deserve. Together we can help them overcome every obstacle in their way.
In collaboration with the New Mexico Voices for Children, a “Black Child Wellness Report” was released following the Black Child Wellness Summit, held at the Albuquerque Sheraton Uptown Hotel, June 22nd, by a panel of subject matter experts. The data shared addressed poverty, obesity, incarceration, households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (S.N.A.P.) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (T.A.N.F.) benefits, food insecurity, truancy, special education enrollment, foster care, maternal health, tobacco use, children of incarcerated parents and much more. One hundred advocates, who work on behalf of New Mexico’s children from around the state, were present as we explored ways to strategically address the well-being of our Black youth.
A huge thank you is extended to Raphael Pacheco, Dr. Nancy Lopez, N.M. Kids Count staff, and Director James Jimenez for your collaboration with the agency. We are grateful for all participants and panelists for the summit. Panelists included Director of N.M. Voices for Children, James Jimenez, Director Robert Wood of the Johnson Foundation, Dr. Gabriel Sanchez, Black Health N.M. Founder, Sunshine Muse, C.Y.F.D. Bureau Chief, Kimberly Brown, Truancy Program Administrator, Marvin Johnson, Attorney Shammara Henderson, Asst. Atty. General, Jennie Lusk, Federal Reporting Bureau Chief, Cynthia Chavers (who represented Secretary Monique Jacobson), TUPAC Youth Focus Coordinator, Devont’e Watson, and Dr. Stephanie McIver, U.N.M. Mental Health Clinic Director.
Summit participants received a hard copy of the Black Child Wellness Report. To view or share, visit the N.M. Voices for Children website or the following link: https://www.nmvoices.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Black-KC-rpt-web.pdf%20.