Feb 5, 2020
In this episode, you meet Phyllis West, MSW, MPH, Ph.D, who is a
Professor at Governors State University and a soldier for health.
Born on 16th Street
(also known as a Holy City) on the west side of Chicago, Phyllis
was the first person in her family to attend college. She has been
living a plant based life for close to a decade and has explored
veganism. She stresses the importance of nutrition and getting
enough sleep. She has spent a number of years educating communities
of color around healthy living through a weekly Sunday potluck
where those gather to support each other in their desire to live a
healthy life. Phyllis refers to herself as a Scholar-Activist, who
consults with organizations around reducing gun violence.
Additionally, she trains physicians on responsible medicine. For
several years, Phyllis has escorted groups of students from
Governors State University on highly successful Public Health
Brigades to Ghana, Panama and Nicaragua. After intense preparation
with the students, Phyllis, a faculty co-leader and the Health
Brigade participants serve community members in the previously
mentioned countries by building latrines, upgrading plumbing
systems, setting up legal issues clinics and helping to build
Bio-Digesters in Ghana. Phyllis touts the beauty, sophisticated
engineering systems and the bio-diversity of Ghana and all of West
Africa.
Also, Phyllis shares her experience of spending time in the slave
dungeons of Elmina and experiencing receiving instructions directly
from the ancestors. The students experience tremendous growth
through gaining a new sense of purpose, confidence and an
appreciation of the host country. White students in the program
learn how to be an ally by standing down and learning about the
role that their ancestors played in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.
Phyllis and her faculty co-leader facilitate an reflection period
for the students every evening; many revelations come forth.
She stresses that the physical requirements associated with
participation in the Health Brigades prompted the development of a
multilayered and interdisciplinary pre-departure orientation. It is
here that the students engage in numerous team building exercises,
learn about the country’s public health, governmental and cultural
landscape. The students are also encouraged to go to the gym and
build up their physical stamina. Students must raise the money to
participate in the Health Brigade. A fully paid Global Scholarship
has been established for one person who is a first generation
college attendee and has never traveled before. A Global
Scholarship for emerging leaders is on the horizon. To be accepted
into the Health Brigade, student must complete a formal
application, along with an interview. Participants range from ages
18-55 and represent a variety of college majors. As a result, the
team is diverse and rich due to each student’s subject
concentration and interests. Phyllis’ plans for the future include
her developing a Rites of Passage program for previously
incarcerated men to prepare them for the journey of traveling to
Africa, understanding the direct relationship between incarceration
and the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, along with participating in the
healing of their communities. Phyllis wants African American women
age 50+ to not feel they are too old to seek out mentors, to work
on self from the inside out, to travel and DREAM!