Local Woman Launches New Public Health Initiative

Wealness, the Charleston’s area newest public health initiative, launched today. The goal of Wealness is to align black and brown people with healthcare providers who look like them, live in their communities, and understand their needs and challenges.

The organization says America’s Black population, along with lower income communities, often lack access to and knowledge of the proper resources to build their wellness. That is why the founder of Wealness, Niasia Smalls, is starting in her hometown of Charleston – she wants to see changes in her own backyard and then take it throughout the Southeast.

“At Wealness, we’re making strides to make access, equity, and inclusion a reality and not just a line item in a plan,” Smalls said. “And, we’re starting this summer – with your help.”

Wealness has a goal to host a summer camp to teach ninth graders how to develop financial health and wellness skills over a 4-week period. To do this, Wealness needs the support of the community.

“I started Wealness to bring awareness and solutions to wellness issues I was seeing in my own family,” Smalls said. “What I’m seeing is that a lot of our issues actually started with not understanding our finances and how those are directly related to our overall health. This program will be a part mentally understanding money while also physically looking at how we can develop healthier habits even when we’re not the one making all the financial decisions.

Local businesses can donate to Wealness in both in-kind teaching and financially to support a student. Contact Smalls at drniasia@wealness.org or (704) 561-1759.

You can learn more at wealness.org.

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