Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the Black community, and we need to be about helping to save these lives. Today’s guest, Starla Gay, believes that she was born a community health advocate because she has been standing up for what is right since childhood! Starla is a health insurance specialist, community health activist, and BLACC activist. In this conversation, you’ll hear about Starla’s life and what led her to her career, what BLACC is and what they do, and a little bit about their Peer Navigation Research Project. We delve into the importance of a peer navigator before hearing about their partnership with Stanford and what they learned from it. Finally, Starla tells us how we can support BLACC. Thanks for tuning in!

Key Points from This Episode:

• An overview of today’s impressive guest, Starla Gay.

• Starla tells us how she became a community health advocate.

• What BLACC stands for, what they do, and their research study.

• What a peer navigator does and why they are so important.

• Starla shares what it’s been like to partner with Stanford.

• What the public can do to support BLACC and this project.

Quotes:

“Even though Black women experience breast cancer at a lower rate than white women, — we die from it far more often, we get far more aggressive and deadly forms, [and] we tend to discover the breast cancer at a later stage.” — Starla Gay [0:15:15]

“We’re trying to spread the work that we’re doing and our relationship with Stanford has really made that possible.” — Starla Gay [0:23:23]

“This work is so important because we are trying to save the lives of Black women.” — Starla Gay [0:24:58]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Starla Gay on LinkedIn

Starla Gay on Instagram

BLACC

Peer Navigation Program Recruitment

Charlotte Maxwell Clinic
Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn
MOYO Institute, Inc

Love Letters 2 Our Bodies is sponsored by Moyo Institute, Inc and the Lloyd Symington Foundation
Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn
MOYO Institute, Inc
instagram.com/moyoinstitute

Self-love in times of physical and mental challenges is the best medicine.’ This powerful quote comes from today’s guest, Ms. Delorme McKee-Stovall, in her letter that was part of our first Love Letters to Our Bodies booklet. An ordained minister, peace and social justice advocate, and retired human rights and healthcare administrator, Delorme brings a wealth of wisdom and experience. In this episode, we delve into her career and educational journey, what sparked her passion for human rights advocacy, and her deeply personal experience of being diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. She shares the challenges of navigating disparities in the healthcare system, the need to advocate for herself, and the profound importance of truly understanding and loving your body. Don’t miss this inspiring and insightful conversation on the Love Letters to Our Bodies podcast.

Key Points From This Episode:

• An introduction and background of our guest, Delorme McKee-Stovall.

• Delorme shares the details of her career journey, from nursing to human rights advocacy.

• What compelled her to pursue religious studies.

• She breaks down what her work as a human rights advocate looked like.

• Her journey through the diagnosis, treatment, and process of breast cancer.

• What it felt like being forced to advocate for herself.

• She recounts her most vulnerable experience during her breast cancer treatment.

• The importance of loving and understanding your body.

• How embracing a vegan lifestyle became a cornerstone of her healing journey.

• Discovering and embracing gratitude and joy amidst life’s challenges.

• What motivated Delorme to keep the faith and continue moving forward.

Quotes:

“[My religious studies] helped me to understand not only the basis of religion and why human beings require religion in their lives these days — but also to help me to understand rituals that helped people to heal.” — Delorme McKee-Stovall [0:05:36]

“When you’re diagnosed [with breast cancer], you’re in a state of unrest, concern, your mind isn’t working really well. You can’t focus really well on anything else but that and so you really need people around you that are going to help you stay focused on healing.” — Delorme McKee-Stovall [0:10:06]

“Loving your body is really important because that means you are paying attention to it as well.” — Delorme McKee-Stovall [0:16:21]

“So I was meditating three times a day in gratitude, not meditating asking for a cure, but in gratitude for the life that I've been given, for the family, and oh, the career that I had. I mean, everything that happened in my life when I looked back on it, wow, am I grateful…” — Delorme McKee-Stovall [0:28:36]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Delorme McKee-Stovall on LinkedIn

Delorme McKee-Stovall on Facebook

Love Letters to Our Bodies Vol 1

Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn
MOYO Institute, Inc

Love Letters 2 Our Bodies is sponsored by Moyo Institute, Inc and the Lloyd Symington Foundation
Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn
MOYO Institute, Inc
instagram.com/moyoinstitute

Show Notes

What if cancer care could go beyond managing symptoms to help patients truly heal in mind, body, and spirit? Joining us today is Melbra Watts, Executive Director of Charlotte Maxwell Clinic, a women’s health clinic in Oakland, California, offering free integrative care to under-served, low-income women with cancer. Melbra shares how this clinic goes beyond conventional care to deliver acupuncture, energy healing, nutritional counseling, and more, all in a space that honors the full person. Discover how their holistic support helps women manage pain, renew their spirits, and reclaim power in their healing journeys, transforming their treatment experience. This episode reveals not only the clinic’s impact but also the inspiration and resilience that drive Melbra’s work to make compassionate care accessible to those who need it most. Listen in for a heartening look at how love and dedication fuel a healing community!

Key Points From This Episode:

• A warm welcome to today’s guest, Melbra Watts.

• The history of Charlotte Maxwell Clinic and its mission.

• How complementary therapies can support cancer care.

• Melbra's journey and how she joined Charlotte Maxwell Clinic.

• Understanding the difference between curing and healing.

• How unresolved trauma and shame can affect your health.

• The surprisingly positive impact that the pandemic had on the clinic.

• Unpacking some of the funding and support challenges that the clinic faces.

• Volunteer practitioners and their indispensable contributions to the clinic.

• Why integrative care is essential for comprehensive cancer treatment.

• Reflections on the beauty in helping clients reconnect with their mind, body, and spirit.

Quotes:

“Studies have shown that complementary therapies actually do improve the quality of life. They actually do boost the immune system so that the women can recover from the radiation and the chemotherapy and surgeries and different kind of things that they go through.” — Melbra Watts [0:08:47]

“I have to say, the pandemic, in a way, was a gift for us because it really helped us to shift what we were doing, and we were able to take advantage of some resources that became available during that time.” — Melbra Watts [0:16:54]

“One of our principles is making sure [women don’t] – blame themselves for having contracted the illness or the disease.” — Melbra Watts [0:18:43]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Melbra Watts

Melbra Watts on LinkedIn
Charlotte Maxwell Clinic
Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn
MOYO Institute, Inc

Love Letters 2 Our Bodies is sponsored by Moyo Institute, Inc and the Lloyd Symington Foundation
Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn
MOYO Institute, Inc
instagram.com/moyoinstitute