Publications

The following papers were written within the Trust Project and have led to our group's understanding of multicultural collaboration:

Using Cross-Cultural Collaboration to Establish a Working Coalition for An Equitable COVID-19 Vaccine Program

February 2023

Authors: Floyd Thompkins, MDiv; Peter Goldblum, PhD, MPH; Tammy Lai, MBA; Jahmeer Reynolds, ME; Randi Lachter, MPH; Pooja G. Mhatre, MPH; Shirin Vakharia, MA; Sheila M. Thompson, BS; and Lisa M. Brown, PhD.

Journal: Humanistic Psychology

Abstract

Coalitions and collaborations with African Americans in the United States are often between people with equal humanity but unequal power. Endeavors between historically harmed communities and representatives of systems that continue to harm them frequently lead to intentional and unintentional miscommunication, mistrust, and distrust. The causes for health inequity are complex and should include consideration of systemic racism. In most standard public health models, departments typically take the lead and invite select members of the community to help. This article describes a collaboration that took place in Marin City, California, between African American churches, the department of public health, and community-based organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. This example focuses on the value of African American history and cosmology as a foundation for respectful cross-cultural collaboration in implementing a COVID-19 vaccination effort. A cross-cultural collaborative model was developed for use by this coalition to guide the development and implementation of community response teams. Unique and shared responsibilities provided by the coalition partners are examined. Humanistic principles, including empathy, positive regard, trust, and grace, are held as central to the model when planning, implementing, and evaluating activities undertaken by cross-cultural coalitions. Sustainability issues are considered concerning staffing, funding, and public policy.

PMID: PMC9941452 | DOI: 10.1177/00221678221140625

Quick Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9941452/

African American Faith Communities and Public Health: Working at the Intersections of COVID-19

March 2021

Authors: Peter Goldblum, Floyd Thompkins, Jr, Tammy Lai, and Lisa M. Brown

Journal: Human Arenas

Abstract

The unprecedented global disruption caused by COVID-19 has illuminated structural racism and systemic inequities in healthcare, public health, and socioeconomic status. How these inequities are addressed will influence whether we can control or stop the pandemic. Prioritizing collaboration and equity and investing financial and social capital into community leadership is essential to mitigating and addressing both the short- and long-term repercussions of COVID-19. Through analysis of, and evidence from, the lived experiences of a national network of African American pastors, the authors recommend four strategies to expedite recovery from the pandemic in the African American community and to promote enduring beneficial societal change: (1) public health and faith communities should initiate and maintain ongoing relationships that are based on trust; (2) recognition and acknowledgement by public and health care organizations that faith community leaders possess unique knowledge of their communities; (3) inclusion of faith community leaders as full partners when planning and strategizing, making decisions, solving problems, and developing policies that affect community wellbeing; and (4) use of an intersecting approach that recognizes the multifactorial realities of COVID-19 and uses remedies that effectively address existing and new problems in a comprehensive, long-term manner.

PMID: PMC7970811 | DOI: doi: 10.1007/s42087-021-00197-z

Quick Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7970811/

A Culturally Specific Mental Health and Spirituality Approach for African Americans Facing the Covid-19 Pandemic

July 2020 (Epub June 2020 )

Authors: Floyd Thompkins, Peter Goldblum, Tammy Lai, Tristan Hansell, Annanda Barclay, Lisa M Brown.

Journal: Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. Advance online publication.

Abstract

A series of 15-min videos were produced to provide resources to pastors in African-American communities to aid them in conveying accurate public and mental health information about COVID-19. Video presenters included trusted experts in public and mental health and pastors with considerable experience responding to the needs of the African-American community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Four culturally specific core themes to consider when providing care to African Americans who are at increased risk during the pandemic were identified: ritual disruption, negative reactions for not following public health guidelines, trauma, and culture and trust. (

PMID: 32567874 | DOI: 10.1037/tra0000841

Quick Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32567874/

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