Greetings! I am Aaron Redda a doctoral student in the College of Communication and Information Sciences at The University of Alabama. I have created this Diversity & Inclusion ePortfolio (D&I-eP) as part of my work for the CIS 650 (Applying Diversity Leadership Theories & Praxis) course during Spring 2025.In my D&I-eP, I analyze existing diversity and inclusion responses focused on cancer prevention among underserved populations through early screening and lifestyle interventions such as smoking cessation and alcohol reduction. This project was conducted in collaboration with Emlane Social, a health and wellness digital media company based in Tallahassee, Florida, committed to addressing health disparities impacting African American communities.
On this page, I outline a strategic diversity action plan to guide Emlane Social's future growth in promoting cancer prevention among underserved Black communities. The plan includes a revised mission and vision, concrete goals and objectives, and a phased timeline focused on culturally responsive health communication strategies. Informed by community feedback and supported by current scholarly research, this action plan emphasizes expanding digital and face-to-face engagement, strengthening partnerships with local organizations, and creating a Health Equity Content Lab to foster inclusive messaging. I also provide projections for the organization's future success, recommending the integration of Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) practices to ensure sustained community trust and impact. By adopting these forward-looking strategies, Emlane Social can continue advancing health equity and making measurable strides in reducing cancer disparities.
Strategic Action Plan
Revised Mission Statement
To reduce cancer disparities by creating inclusive, culturally resonant media that informs, empowers, and inspires underserved communities to reduce health risks related to early cancer detection, smoking, and alcohol use
Vision Statement
A world where every community—regardless of race, income, or background—has access to preventative health information and resources that foster cancer-free, healthy liv
Goals and Objectives
Goal 1: Increase Awareness of Cancer Risks from Smoking and Alcohol
Objective 1.1: Launch culturally tailored video and social media campaigns highlighting cancer risks linked to tobacco and alcohol use and benefits of early detection.
Objective 1.2: Partner with community health educators to co-create narratives about quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake, and early detection.
Goal 2: Build Trust and Engagement with High-Risk Populations
Objective 2.1: Host storytelling workshops with survivors from marginalized communities.
Objective 2.2: Collaborate with local barbershops, churches, and fitness centers to distribute educational materials and facilitate conversations.
Goal 3: Foster Youth Prevention Programs
Objective 3.1: Launch a "Cancer-Free Generation" campaign targeting youth with peer-led digital content.
Objective 3.2: Create TikTok-style educational reels featuring young influencers from impacted communities.
Resources and Timeline
Resources: $150,000 annual funding from grants, federal/local departments, and private donors.
Phase I (0–6 months): Conduct community needs assessment and recruit content creators.
Phase II (6–18 months): Develop and roll out campaigns, collect feedback.
Phase III (18–36 months): Expand into additional cities and gather long-term outcome data.
7.1 Discussion
Social media can be a powerful tool to promote cancer screening and early diagnosis by increasing awareness, disseminating targeted health messages, and engaging hard-to-reach populations (Plackett et al., 2020). It offers a platform to deliver timely, culturally relevant information, encourage preventive behaviors, and reduce barriers such as misinformation and stigma around screening (Plackett et al., 2020). Research has shown that social media campaigns can enhance public knowledge, influence health behaviors, and ultimately support early detection efforts (Plackett et al., 2020).To better address health disparities, it is recommended that Emlane Social create a Health Equity Content Lab that collaborates with local artists and survivors to develop culturally responsive campaigns (Okoro, Nelson, Witherspoon, Witherspoon, & Simmons, 2020) Establishing such a lab would help ensure that messaging reflects the lived experiences of the community. Increased funding for cancer outreach is critical for reducing disparities in cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment. Funding supports the development of targeted educational campaigns, screening programs, and community-based interventions that can reach underserved populations. Research shows that disparities in funding across different cancer types contribute to unequal attention and resources, often leaving high-burden cancers underfunded and communities without adequate support (Kamath, Kircher, & Benson, 2019). By investing more equitably in outreach efforts, organizations can help improve early diagnosis rates, enhance treatment access, and ultimately reduce mortality in marginalized groups. Together, these strategies align with the broader goals of expanding equitable access to preventative health information.
Projections
I project that by prioritizing culturally tailored health communication and maintaining strong community relationships, Emlane Social will successfully expand its impact among underserved populations, at higher risk for tobacco- and alcohol-related cancers. Success will depend on a continuous cycle of community feedback and adaptation through Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR). CBPR emphasizes shared power and co-creation between organizations and the communities they serve, ensuring that health messaging remains relevant and trusted. To strengthen this work, I recommend that Emlane Sociall formally establish ongoing feedback loops, such as regular focus groups and surveys, and integrate CBPR practices into all future campaigns. This approach will allow the organization to remain responsive to shifting community needs while building lasting trust. Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) is highly beneficial because it fosters equitable partnerships between researchers and community members, ensuring that research is more relevant, respectful, and impactful. CBPR builds local capacity, empowers communities to take ownership of health initiatives, and strengthens the trust necessary for sustainable change. By involving community voices throughout the research process, CBPR leads to interventions that are culturally appropriate, more readily adopted, and better aligned with community needs (Mason et al., 2013). This collaborative approach not only improves research outcomes but also advances health equity and social justice.
Works Cited
Kamath, S. D., Kircher, S. M., & Benson, A. B. (2019). Comparison of cancer burden and nonprofit organization funding reveals disparities in funding across cancer types. Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, 17(7), 849-854.
Mason M, Rucker B, Reed M, Morhardt D, Healy W, Curry G, Kauper-Brown J, Dunford C. "I know what CBPR is, now what do i do?": Community perspectives on CBPR capacity building. Prog Community Health Partnersh. 2013 Fall;7(3):235-41. doi: 10.1353/cpr.2013.0039. PMID: 24056505; PMCID: PMC4794328.
Plackett R, Kaushal A, Kassianos AP, Cross A, Lewins D, Sheringham J, Waller J, von Wagner C. Use of Social Media to Promote Cancer Screening and Early Diagnosis: Scoping Review. J Med Internet Res. 2020 Nov 9;22(11):e21582. doi: 10.2196/21582. PMID: 33164907; PMCID: PMC7683249.
Okoro ON, Nelson CS, Witherspoon SP, Witherspoon SF, Simmons GE Jr. Culturally Responsive Health Promotion to Address Health Disparities in African American Men: A Program Impact Evaluation. Am J Mens Health. 2020 Jul-Aug;14(4):1557988320951321. doi: 10.1177/1557988320951321. PMID: 32840146; PMCID: PMC7450466.