November is Diabetes Awareness Month. According to recent data, around 12.1% of Black adults in the U.S. have been diagnosed with diabetes, a rate that is significantly higher than for other racial groups. Black Americans are also 60% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than non-Hispanic whites. Unfortunately, the disparity doesn’t stop at diagnosis—Black people are nearly twice as likely to die from diabetes, and three times more likely to be hospitalized for diabetes-related complications such as kidney failure or amputations. These statistics show that diabetes is not just a health issue but also a crisis in our community.
Prediabetes, which affects millions of Americans, is also a serious concern. About 39.2% of Black adults have prediabetes, often without knowing it. This means nearly 4 out of 10 individuals are at high risk of developing diabetes if they do not take action!
Diabetes has been recognized since the 19th century and today, the research continues, diabetes is understood as a metabolic disorder affecting insulin production and use, with type 1 and type 2 being the most common forms with modern studies linking the rise of type 2 diabetes to changes in diet (rich in processed foods), lifestyle (sedentary behavior), and increasing rates of obesity.
However, this isn’t just about facts or numbers; it’s about love, hope, and empowerment. We deserve to live long, healthy, and prosperous lives. Health is our true wealth because it provides the foundation for a fulfilling life. When we are physically and mentally well, we have the energy, clarity, and resilience to pursue our goals, nurture relationships, and enjoy life’s moments. It is time to reclaim it for ourselves, our families, and our community.
Reclaiming our power over our health means recognizing that diabetes and prediabetes is not a death sentence—it’s a call to action, a chance to rewrite our future. Instead of viewing it with fear, we can see it as an opportunity to take back control over our well-being, starting with our daily habits and integrating a different way of being and doing. This isn’t about deprivation or restriction; it’s about making choices that align with the vibrant, healthy lives we deserve. It’s also about slowing down and savoring our meals, giving our bodies the chance to thrive through mindful eating.
Our power also lies in how we move. You don’t need to spend hours in a gym to see results—short bursts of activity throughout the day can make a significant difference. Standing up, stretching, or doing squats for just a few minutes each hour improves blood sugar management and strengthens insulin sensitivity. This journey is about finding joy in movement, about each step bringing us closer to health, vitality, and abundance. Go outside and get natural vitamin D from the sun. A lack of vitamin D is a major source of inflammation and a host of other health issues in our community. Movement fuels wellness. Movement is medicine.
For healthcare professionals, your voice can be as powerful as any prescription. Encouraging patients to explore stress reduction through yoga, meditation, or holistic treatments is a profound way to support their healing. Offering alternatives empowers patients to reclaim their health on multiple levels. There are many doctors in our community who are sharing alternative approaches to health such as Dr. Bobby Price, who has been vocal about the concept of “vegetation over medication” and promoting the idea that many health issues can be managed – or even – reversed through dietary and lifestyle changes. Dr. Price is just one part of a growing movement of health professionals within our community who are encouraging us to return to natural foods and holistic living.
If you are living with diabetes, you are more powerful than you know. Living with this condition is a challenge, but it does not define you. It does not have to be your lot in life. Making small changes can have a significant positive impact on your health and well-being. We’ve got to be advocates for our own health.
As a community, we must uplift one another. When we celebrate progress, no matter how small, we encourage a culture where health becomes an asset. For too long, we’ve been stuck in cycles of silence, avoiding difficult truths and enabling unhealthy habits that harm our community. It’s time to break that cycle and hold each other accountable for making choices that nourish and uplift us.
We are not bound by history when it comes to what we put on our plates. Our ancestors did what they had to with what they had, but we have more options now, more knowledge, and more power to change the narrative.
We can rewrite our family legacies. Instead of clinging to dishes that weigh us down and contribute to the very diseases ravaging our community, we can choose foods that fuel us, empower us, and keep us here longer.It’s not about dishonoring the past; it’s about evolving, growing, and making better choices for us and future generations.
In that spirit, let this be our collective mantra:
Movement is medicine and health is wealth. Let’s claim our riches!
Frenetta Tate is the founder of Frenetta Tate Global LLC, a transformational life coaching and business consulting company. She can be reached on LinkedIn @frenettatate.
