Hill-Jarrett Tanisha G, Jackson Ashley J, Amuiri Alinda, Aguirre Gloria A
Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
Global Brain Health Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2025 May 31;22(6):875. doi: 10.3390/ijerph22060875.
Intersectional oppression and invisibility are primary drivers of cognitive and mental health disparities that affect Black women's wellness. Older Black women additionally experience compounding effects of ageism, which may place them at increased risk for a decline in cognitive functioning and mental wellness. To date, limited strengths-based, culturally relevant programming has focused on aging Black women. Fewer have incorporated Black women elders into conversations on Black liberation and the transformational change needed to create possible futures rooted in equity, healing, and health. This manuscript describes the inception and development of , a creative aging program for Black women in the San Francisco Bay Area. Over ten weeks, 42 Black women ( age = 73.6, = 6.20; range: 58-85 years old) participated in the program, which incorporated brain and mental health education, art-making, storytelling, and photography. Grounded in principles of Afrofuturism and radical healing, participants explored past narratives of Black women and created a collective vision for a future that centers on Black women's needs. Approximately 54.8% of participants attended more than one workshop. Upon program completion, exit surveys indicated that participants reported a moderate level of hopefulness about their ability to shape the future. Respondents reported overall satisfaction with the workshop series. We conclude with reflections on our process and recommendations for ways to support aging Black women using Afrofuturism and the arts.
交叉压迫和被忽视是影响黑人女性健康的认知和心理健康差距的主要驱动因素。年长的黑人女性还会额外遭受年龄歧视的复合影响，这可能会使她们认知功能和心理健康下降的风险增加。迄今为止，基于优势且与文化相关的项目有限，且主要关注年长的黑人女性。将黑人女性长者纳入关于黑人解放以及为创造基于公平、治愈和健康的可能未来所需的变革性变革的讨论中的项目更少。本文描述了旧金山湾区一个针对黑人女性的创造性老龄化项目的启动和发展情况。在十周的时间里，42名黑人女性（年龄 = 73.6岁，标准差 = 6.20；年龄范围：58 - 85岁）参与了该项目，该项目包括大脑和心理健康教育、艺术创作、故事讲述和摄影。基于非洲未来主义和激进治愈的原则，参与者探索了黑人女性过去的故事，并为以黑人女性需求为中心的未来创造了一个集体愿景。大约54.8%的参与者参加了不止一个工作坊。项目结束时，退出调查表明参与者对自己塑造未来的能力抱有适度的希望。受访者对整个工作坊系列表示总体满意。我们最后反思了我们的过程，并就如何利用非洲未来主义和艺术来支持年长黑人女性提出了建议。
