The Black

Nurse
Association
and Obesity
Conference
Majestic Communications
Kierra Beano

Jazmyn Duncan

Michelle Rolsal

Amere May

Donnice Peterson

Morgan Woodruf

Public Relations Management

and Campaigns
Delaware State University
Mass Communications
Department
Service Learning Project for the
Black Nurses Association of the
First State
May 5, 2013

Executive SummaryBlack Nurse Association

May 5, 2013
Mrs. Eunice Gwanmesia
President of the Black Nurses Association of the First State
1200 N. Dupont Highway
Dover, Delaware 19901
Dear Eunice Gwanmesia,
Attached is an executive summary from over the past four months, Majestic Communication PR team has
accumulated a detailed public relations plan that will benefit and help the Black Nurses Association of the First State
meet their goals of increasing public awareness through education, advocacy, and mentoring.
We decided to implement a public relations campaign the will enforce information on health disparities such as
obesity to the public that will promote awareness. In this detailed summary is information on the Obesity
Conference, which Majestic Communications promoted by developing a list of mediums to spread the awareness.
Included in this packet is the following:, Organizations press release, Event press release, a fully comprised public
service announcement, facts on the organization, Event feature story, and Event Photographs.
We hope that our team was able to provide you with the best services during the course of the four months. It was a
great experience working with you, so please contact us in regards to any information on this report.

Thank You,

Michelle Rolsal

Donnice Peterson

Morgan Woodruff

Kierra Beano

Amere May

Jazmyn B. Duncun

Executive SummaryBlack Nurse Association

Executive Summary
History
The Black Nurses Association was founded in 1971 and there mission is to provide an
opportunity for cooperative action by black nurses to advocate and implement strategies
for the health care needs of African Americans and other ethnic groups. The Black
Nurses Association of The First State (BNAOTFS) was charted on July 26, 2012. The
BNAOTFS adhere by the mission of the Black Nurses Association on a local level. Their
goal is to be the primary organization in the state of Delaware to spread health and
wellness awareness to the people of color in the First State by educating, advocating, and
mentoring.

Position Paper
Health Disparities Must Go Away; Support BNA
Introduction
Health Disparities are known as the differences in the quality of disease, health outcomes,
health care and access to health care services for racial and ethnic groups. They are usually
associated with ethical and racial minority groups, people with disabilities, people who have
experienced economic obstacles and people who live within medically underserved communities
("Disparities in health," 2012). Since these health disparities; infant mortality and commonness
of chronic diseases has been affected. There are efforts to reduce health disparities but they still
remain. The first thing to do to help reduce health disparities is to make everyone aware them.
Starting small and working up is always an effective way. One way to start is utilizing
organizations with in the community to spread the word. This position paper is to support the use
of organizations, such as the Black Nurses Association of the First State (BNAOTFS), to spread
awareness of health disparities.
Body
The Black Nurses Association was founded in 1971 and there mission is to provide a
opportunity for cooperative action by black nurses to advocate and implement strategies for the
health care needs of African Americans and other ethnic groups. BNA is committed to improve
the quality of life of ethnic groups by building consumer knowledge and understanding of health
care issues; educating and mentoring registered nurses, licensed vocational/practical nurses,
nursing students and retire nurses; facilitating the professional development and career
advancement of nurses in emerging healthcare systems; and promoting economic development
of nurses through entrepreneurial and other business initiatives (NBNA, 2013). The BNAOTFS
adhere by the mission of the Black Nurses Association on a local level and one of their main
goals is too aware others on health disparities. Health disparities have always been a problem for
the minority such as African Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Latinos for
the past century. Scientists believed that these health disparities came from factors such as
Executive SummaryBlack Nurse Association

biology, the environment, and specific behaviors that were impacted by a lack of racial and
ethnic minority health professionals, discrimination, and inequities in income, education, and
access to health care (NIH).
Black Nurses Association of the First State has always tried to improve the communitys
understanding of health disparities and the effects that come along with them. Main effects of
health disparities are infant mortality rate and chronic diseases. BNAOTFS has a brochure that
comprises the difference in selected health indicators founded by the Health and Social Services
of Delaware. These numbers have been from a population 72.1 percent white, 20.7 percent black,
2.9 percent Asian or Pacific Islander and 4.3 percent other ("Disparities in health," 2012). In
addition, 6.3 percent of Delawares population are of Hispanic origin and may be of any race
("Disparities in health," 2012). Infant mortality rate is the death of infants usually before the age
of five. According to their brochure, African Americans and Hispanics are at the height of infant
mortality: 17.1 for African Americans and 7.2 for Hispanics then 6.8 for whites. Chronic
diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, heart diseases, and diabetes, are a huge impact of health disparities.
According to the brochure, the chronic diseases stated above are relativity high for African
Americans: HIV is 33.4, Heart Disease is 284.7, and diabetes is 41.9 then whites: HIV is 2.3,
Heart Disease is 227.6. and diabetes is 22.5. According to this table, minorities are affected the
most.
Many may believe there is no need to support organizations to spread awareness about
health disparities because and health disparities are always going to be an issue. There are groups
out there that spread awareness about health disparities, such as the Delaware Health and Social
Services, United Way of Delaware, Medical Society of Delaware, and Highmark Delaware, just
to name a few. The more awareness the more impact it will have on the community. Yes, health
disparities are still an issue but there has been some improvement. According to the national
Conference of state legislators, Health disparities are getting attention from the legislators and
policymakers are responding to the issue with different kind of laws. A survey was done by the
Joint Center for Political and Economic studies in 2009, and there results showed that
eliminating health disparities for minorities would have reduced direct medical care expenses by
$229.4 billion between 2003 and 2006 ("Disparities in health," 2012). If the issue of spreading
awareness of health disparities was enforced a couple of years ago, it wouldnt be such a huge
issue.
Conclusion
Racial and ethnic groups are affected by health disparities. It can cause infant mortality,
lack of health care and death from chronic diseases. The Black Nurses Association of The First
State objective is to provide awareness of health disparities by advocating, mentoring, and
education. A Suggestible course of action is for BNAOTFS to collaborate with Delaware Health
and Social Services to conduct a report of the health disparities in Delaware. This will inform the
community and professionals, and help guide them as they develop strategies, plans and
programs to eliminate health disparities; provide data to guide services and outreach provided by
community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, state agencies and organizations,
legislators, businesses, health care providers and hospitals; to help guide efforts to provide
services and outreach that target gaps in health disparities; and inform key decision makers on
eliminating health disparities through policy reform and systems change (Delaware Health and
Social Services, 2008). Also there is a book called Unequal Treatments that discuss possible
recommendations to address health disparities. They encourage the involvement of healthcare
Executive SummaryBlack Nurse Association

organizations, patients, and providers. Supporting organizations like BNAOTFS to inform the
community about this issue will help improve health disparities.
Problem Statement
Obesity is excessive accumulation and storage of fat in the body. It has been a huge
problem since the last decade. It usually occurs when someone consumes more than they
can burn, and their weight is 20% or more of the normal body weight.
Obesity can increase the risk of other health diseases such as type two diabetes,
malnutrition, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and stroke, just to name a few. These
diseases can lead to severe injury and possible premature death. According to the
Delaware racial and ethnic disparities health status report card conducted in 2008 by the
Health and Social Services of Delaware, obesity has been a vast issue, especially for
African Americas; there percentage is 68.5 from a population thats 20.7 percent African
American.

BNA mission
Collaborate with other health organizations to spread awareness. There plans are to
partner with:

Highmark Delaware of the Blue Cross Blue Shield

Bay Health to Build a healthy Delaware by creating a health summit
Doing community service

BNA wants to bridge the gap to bring the groups together. A major project there focusing
on for the upcoming month is an Obesity Conference at Delaware State University. This
conference will help BNAOTFS continue to help spread awareness on health disparities.

BNAOTFS involvement with obesity is minimal. They attended a National Black Nurses
Day, on Capitol Hill in Washington DC on February 7th, 2013 that touch on obesity. At
this conference they met with their State Senators and Congressman to lobby for Title
VIII funding benefits for the Nursing Profession, Mental health funding, and an increase
of plan/awareness strategies to prevent hospital readmissions. They also discuss ways to
increase awareness of chronic health care issues, such as malnutrition and hypertension
which can develop from being obese.
The most effective method of Health Promotion is to have a comprehensive approach to
health awareness and development. A successful way to implement this is to promote
social responsibility for health, increase investments for health change, expand
partnership for health promotion, choose important health promotion initiatives, and
collaborate with others and create an effective team.

Executive SummaryBlack Nurse Association

Key Elements of BNA Campaign Plan

Eunice Gwanmesia, president of the Black Nurses Association of the First State is a firm
believer in raising awareness regarding health disparities in Delaware. Black Nurses
Association is known for providing African Americans interested in the nursing field
with opportunities, raising awareness in the African American community regarding
illnesses most affective to African Americans and making difference. In order to
communicate this information to the community, Gwanmesia states, there is currently a
website for BNA of the first state which is being improved.
Interactive Media Channel
There are changes that need to be made in regards to the web page. It needs to include a
direct and accurate site when selecting the BNA link as well as an immediate pop up
when searching for BNA on Google search engine. There are improvements that are still
being made on why the site is not coming up and not going through to the official page.
BNA of the first state currently does not have a Facebook, or twitter page. However,
Facebook and twitter is a useful channel not only because it benefits the organization but
it will send information out to others via web.
Today having media channels is a very successful way for organizations to gain support
and members. A significant percentage of the population relies on the internet and spends
hours on the computer daily. Once the organization creates an account with pictures,
comments, schedules and updates they will be very successful. There should be a twitter
account activated as well as a Facebook page activated to gain more awareness,
communicate with the community through media channels, and help promote and explain
the organizations purpose and events scheduled. These forms of social media will help in
supporting the goals of BNA because various people utilize these sites. These channels
could contribute to the organization as far as grants, promoting, ideas, membership etc.
The benefits of these media channels include establishing presence and increasing
popularity. Through these networks images, messages, videos, events and different
content can be shared. This will give the community a better concept and knowledge of
the organization if there has not already been understood. The organization should also be
using print, radio, and other forms of media to communicate.
Goals and Objectives
The organization and professional public relations team will be promoting the Obesity
Conference.
The overall goal for this event:
Primary goal
Executive SummaryBlack Nurse Association

Addressing the causes and effects of childhood obesity to the community, college
students, professors, and other health professionals
Increasing membership

Secondary goal

Increase membership by having a signup sheet at the table for people interested in the
organization and provide brochures and pamphlets for professionals that want to
connect with BNA.

Process Objectives

Collaborate with various health companies or organization that will provide a

generous amount of information on obesity.
Provide some sort of services during the event by having blood pressure checks,
checking weight, and more.
Developing and distributing advertising materials that will provide information about
the event as well as drawing audiences in.

Outcome Objectives

Increasing the prevention and awareness of childhood obesity in a non-traditional

approach during the conference by partnering as well as connecting with the various
health organizations/business that have already worked on plans to change the obesity
rate to create a chain of health outreach.
Increase Black Nurse Association membership

Messages and Themes

Childhood obesity has become an epidemic and will continue to rise if these issues
are not constantly addressed.
Childhood obesity is on a rise especially for African Americans and will continue to
be a problem without constant communication on healthier living.

Theme for the conference: Working together to address healthier lifestyles for children

Executive SummaryBlack Nurse Association

Advocating and promoting the issues on childhood obesity is nearly enough to end this
epidemic. However, by continuing to develop different approaches on this health
disparity will decrease the percentage of childhood obesity in America.

Strategies and Channels of Communication

The best form of medium for this particular event at Delaware State University that will
reach out to the students as well as the local community to announce the Obesity Conference
would be as follows:

WDDE radio
Hornet newspaper
Local newspaper Dover post or Delaware State newspaper
DSU Social media- Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram
Email, Phone, or word of mouth

Executive SummaryBlack Nurse Association

MEDIA LIST CONDUCTED BY MAJESTIC COMMUNICATIONS

Logistics

Campus
Hornet Newspaper
Hornet_news1@yahoo.com
Editor and chief Synquette
WDSU Radio
WDSU TV

Delaware Newspaper
Delaware State News
110 Galaxy Dr
Dover, DE 19901
302-674-3600 - Telephone
302-741-8252 Fax
Newszap.com Facebook
TheStateNews Twitter
Dover Post
1196 S Little Creek Rd
Dover, DE 19901
302-678-3616 - Telephone
302-678-8291 - Fax
(Edit Newspaper Information)
Jesse Chadderdon is the Executive Editor of the Dover Post in Dover Delaware.
Dover Post- Facebook
Dover Post- Twitter
Executive SummaryBlack Nurse Association

 Middletown Transcript
24 W. Main St.
Middletown, DE 19709
302-378-9531 - Telephone
302-378-0647 - Fax
(Edit Newspaper Information)
Jesse Chadderdon is the Editor of the Middletown Transcript in Middletown Delaware.
The Middletown Transcript Facebook
Delaware Radio Stations
SCSunTimes.com
224 E. Glenwood Ave
Smyrna, DE 19977
302-653-2083 - Telephone
(Edit Newspaper Information)
Ben Mace is the Editor of the SCSunTimes.com in Smyrna Delaware.
Smyrna/Clayton Sun-Times Facebook
Radio Stations
WDDE 91.1 FM
1200 N. Dupont Hwy., Dover, DE 19901 (map/directions)
www.WDDE.org
info@delawarefirst.org
(302) 857-7096 main
(302) 857-7198 newsroom
(302) 857-7228 corporate
WDDE 91.1- FB
@WDDE911- Twitter
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 WDOV 1410 AM
1410 WDOV
1575 Mckee Rd. Suite 206
Dover, DE. 19904
News Line
302-674-4441
Business Line
302-395-9800
Read more: http://www.wdov.com/pages/contact.html#ixzz2Nv9ISFtE

Executive SummaryBlack Nurse Association

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PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

LENGTH: 0:30
SUBJECT: Childhood Obesity
FOR USE: April 5th and April 6th
Mr. DSU
One.
Mrs. DSU
One in three children in the United States are overweight
Mr. DSU
Obese
Nurse 1.
and causes illnesses that are not seen until adulthood
Nurse 2.
sleep apnea, asthma
Nurse 3.
and poor self-esteem are the unfortunate consequence
Nurse 1.
but Type Two Diabetes is a lifelong sentence
Basketball 1
this epidemic is seen more in lower income families
Basketball 2
the lower educated
Basketball 3
and the highly unemployed
First Lady
You have to lose in order to win
Oriental
lose weight (Chinese) (English subtitles)
First Lady
Lets confront childhood obesity and help our youth make better food choices.
Basketball
This is one game Im willing to lose
Nurse
Lets change the future now.
STOP Sugarcoating!!!! And Educate
April 5th and 6th Obesity Conference will be held in MLK parlors
Lets provide bright and healthy futures
Executive SummaryBlack Nurse Association

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Majestic Communications
Photos of Public Service Announcements

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THE BLACK NURSE ASSOCIATION AND IT FIRST

OBESITY CONFERENCE AT DSU
The Black Nurses Association of the First State held an obesity Conference April 5th - April 6th
2013. The Black Nurse Association (BNA) has been preparing for an Obesity conference that represented
the health community and gave an in depth insight of the topic. The purpose for this conference was to
increase the awareness regarding obesity and the severity of the issue. In addition to the various guest
speakers talking about the issues concerning obesity; there were also display boards and blood pressure
screenings present. Before and while the conference was taking place, students, working professionals,
and guest speakers were given pamphlets and bags filled with information. After accepting bags and
signing into the event, all guests were seated and began participating in the events. Aside from speakers
and slide show presentations, there were several different activities taking place targeted towards fitness.
During the two day conference, there were numerous health organizations that set up informational
booths that provided various health options .The guest speakers touched base on the effects of obesity;
they also spoke about what their specific organization is doing to continue this change from unhealthy to
healthy foods. There were blood pressure screenings provided and pedometers used to count ones single
steps in one day. In addition, there was also information provided at each table regarding the organization;
each booth included brochures, posters, and small booklets. There was a lot of excitement and attention
placed on the blood pressure screenings. This activity kept the crowd engaged, concerned and more
interested in the topic. The obesity conference turned out to be a very informal and engaging. Students
involved in health majors had the opportunity to network with working professionals, participate in
activities and learn more about obesity in its entirety. The mission of the Black Nurses Association was to
gather working professionals, gain more membership for the organization and provide them with
information on the organization, and spread the word.

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Obesity Conference at Delaware State University

Photographs of Event on April 5- 6th, 2013

BLACK NURSE ASSOCIATION TABLE

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SPEAKERS PRESENTATION ON OBESITY

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REGISTRATION TABLE

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HEALTH ACTIVITIES

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SCHEDULE
Time

Agenda

8:00 a.m.

Breakfast & Registration

8:00 a.m.

Video-tape Comments
J. Nadine MD,MSCE Deputy Assistant Secretary of
Minority Health US Department of Health and
Human Services

8:30 a.m.

Lift Every Voice and Sing

8:35 a.m.

Welcome Harry L Williams EDP President Delaware

State University

8:40 a.m.

Greetings HON.Rita M. Land Graf, Secretary

Delaware Department of Health and Social Services

9:00 a.m.

Introduction of the Keynote Speaker

Marianne Carter MS, RD, CHES Director of
Delaware Center for Health Promotion

9:05 a.m.-10:00 a.m.

Keynote Address: Obesity Doesnt Have To Be

Epidemic
Calvin B Johnson MD, MPH, Former Secretary of
Health and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

10:05 a.m.-10:10 a.m.

Break

10:10 a.m.-11:10 a.m.

Health Communities: Policy Opportunities and

Challenges Karyl Thomas Ratty MD,MS Director of
policy and planning Philadelphia department of
public health

11:10 a.m. 12:05 p.m.

Fight Against Obesity Among City of Philadelphia

School Students Giridhar Mallya, MD, MHSP
Director of Policy and Planning Phildelphia
Department of Public Health

12:05 p.m.- 1 p.m.

Taste Testing Donna Pinkett Brown MA, RD, LDN

Delaware State University Cooperative Extension

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Black Nurses Association of the First
Newly chartered chapter of the National Black Nurses Association extends national mission at local level
DOVER, DELAWARE, April 5, 2013 - - On July 26, 2012 The BNAOTFS was chartered
during the 40th Annual Conference and Institute of the National Black Nurses Association in
Orlando, Florida. Founding members include Eunice Gwanmesia, Kimberly Holmes, Debbie
Hines, Rene Trent-Carter, Vivian Hendricks, Dr. Jodi Dampeer-Moore, and Dr. Bernadine
Lacey.

Eunice
Gwanmesia
President
Kimberly Holmes
Vice President
Kemi F. Sanni
Secretary
Debbie Hines
Treasurer
Vivian
Hendericks
Historian
Dr. Jodi Moore
Parliamentarian
Rene Trent-Carter
Web Master
Cheryl Jones
Gaither
Chair of the Program
and Research
Committee

BNAOTFS is adamant about changing the face of healthcare in the first state. As the only
chapter in Delaware, BNAOTFS they are also looking to build community partnerships as they
carry out the national mission of the organization. The BNAOTFS is committed to addressing
a multitude of health disparities in the first state by being a source of education and information
for the community. Additionally, they are dedicated to educating and mentoring the next
generation of nurses by providing financial resources for minority nursing students.
The BNAOTFS team is working on a number of community health projects including a
Health in the Beauty Shop Project, the launch of health programs in churches and schools and
will be partnering with fraternities, sororities and other service organizations to perform health
screenings such as blood pressure and glucose checks, as well as distributing information on
health and wellness.
About the National Black Nurses Association
The Mission of the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) is to provide a forum for
action by black nurses to investigate, define, and advocate for the health care needs of African
Americans and to implement strategies that ensure access to health care equal to, or above
health care standards of the larger society. Since 1971, the NBNA has responded to the
growing inequities in health care for people of color and has been the voice for black nurses.
For more information visit: www.nbna.org
Media Contact:
Donnice Peterson
M
917-520-8709
dsuprssa@aol.com

Black Nurses
Association of the
First State
PO Box 1163
Dover, DE 19903
302-857-6766

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Contact: Jazmyn B. Duncan

Phone: (302) 857-****
Email: Jbduncan10@students.desu.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OBESITY DOESNT HAVE TO BE AN EPIDEMIC

Eunice
Gwanmesia
President
Kimberly Holmes
Vice President
Kemi F. Sanni
Secretary
Debbie Hines
Treasurer
Vivian
Hendericks
Historian
Dr. Jodi Moore
Parliamentarian
Rene Trent-Carter
Web Master
Cheryl Jones
Gaither
Chair of the Program
and Research
Committee

Black Nurses
Association of the
First State
PO Box 1163
Dover, DE 19903
302-857-6766

Obesity Conference
Dover Delaware March 18th 2013: Majestic Communications has been serving The
Black Nurses Association of The First State (BNAOTFS) for quite some time. The
BNAOTFS adhere by the mission of the Black Nurses Association on a local level.
Their goal is to be the primary organization in the state of Delaware to spread health and
wellness awareness to the people of color in the First State by educating, advocating,
and mentoring.
On April 5th and 6th, 2013 The Black Nurse Association of The First State, will be
collaborating with The College of Education, Health and Public Policy at Delaware
State University in the first obesity conference called Weight Management Strategies
Conference. The purpose of the conference is to share accomplishments, plans and
lessons learned that can avert obesity in underserved communities across the State of
Delaware. The conference will motivate everyone who is an advocate for obesity
prevention to support partnership and networks for statewide public health development
and management. The conference will be filled with health care providers such as
nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians, physician assistants, medical device and
pharmaceutical industry leaders, and managed care company just to name a few.
The objectives of the conference is to review the recent research on obesity causes,
provide health care programs that are cost efficient and create and implement fun and
innovative strategies to prevent obesity. It is a two day conference located at Delaware
State University, Martin Luther King, Jr., Student Center, Parlors A, B, and C. The time
of the conference is 8:30am to 5:00pm on Friday April 5th, 2013 and 8:30am to 3:00pm
on Saturday, April 6th, 2013.
The Weight Management Strategies Conference is not only important to The Black
Nurses Association of The First State but to the entire State of Delaware. Come out and
support the fight against obesity.

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References
Delaware Health and Social Services. (2008, October). 2008 Delaware racial and ethnic
disparities health status report card . Retrieved from
http://dhss.delaware.gov/dph/mh/files/2008dredreportcard.pdf
Disparities in health. (2012, January). Retrieved from
http://www.ncsl.org/issuesresearch/health/health-disparities-overview.aspx
NBNA. (2013). Nbna mission . Retrieved from
http://www.nbna.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=45&Itemid=61
NIH. (n.d.). Nih - background on health disparities. Retrieved from
http://www.drugabuse.gov/about-nida/organization/health-disparities/about-nida-healthdisparities/nih-background-health-disparities

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