"My Sister Called", ----- a weekly radio show designed to engage, empower, and energize

Supreme Court rules in favor of the Affordable Care Act Law
Read the Supreme Court's decision here

Good evening welcome to My Sister Called, we greet you this evening on a sad -- yet honoring note. Sad about the passing of one of the greatest sojourners of our lifetime, Mrs. Rosa Parks, really our Honorable Rose Parks for what she meant and will continue to mean to Black America in particular and to the rest of the nation and world in general. You may even recall her remarks at a 1988 celebration in her honor where she said, "I am leaving this legacy to all of you ... to bring peace, justice, equality, love and a fulfillment of what our lives should be. Without vision, the people will perish, and without courage and inspiration, dreams will die -- the dream of freedom and peace."

My Sister and I are so encouraged and pleased that she will receive a honor fitting of her life, her sacrifice, her vision, her service, her leadership and her commitment -- Mrs. Rosa Parks, the Mother of Civil Rights will “lie in honor” in the rotunda of United States Capitol in Washington, DC – surely, to do anything less would not be fitting of her or us as a nation. In fact, Mrs. Parks will be the first woman to lie in honor at the U.S. Capitol rotunda.

At the time of this blogg, according to the U.S. Congress, –viewing is scheduled from 6 p.m. to midnight Sunday, October 30th, and from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 31st, in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. For more information, call the U.S. Congress at (202) 225-6827 or (202)-225-3121. Also, for more information, contact the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute at (313) 965-0606. There are viewings/services also being held in Alabama and Detroit.

My Sister Called wishes you and your family a safe trip as you journey to Washington, DC to say your last farewell and thank you to Mrs. Rosa Parks – truly a legend in her own time. Again, we thank God for his special soldier -- who personified the phase you can and you must make a difference – with her faith and spirit we will continue to move forward. Peace, we look forward to seeing you in Washington, DC on Sunday or Monday, and we also are excited about talking with next week.

My Sister called about the adverse state of health in the African American Community. Specifically comments on the Secretary's Task Force on Black and Minority Health. 20-years old and counting -- where do you want to go from here?

Several Years ago, I receIved a call about supporting the Congressional Black Caucus's Health Brain Trust. It was then I was introduced to Fredette West, then, Chief of Staff, to Congressman Louis Stokes, (D) Cleveland Ohio. Rep. Stokes had been a lifelong friend of my Cousin, State Representative Ike Thompson, Shaker Heights Ohio, so I was more than please to get on board. Today, Congressman Stokes is retired, Cousin Ike has gone on to his reward, but My Sister Fredette is still in the midst of a great work! Together with friends, we'll succeed!

Recognized for legislative and health advocacy work at the national and local level to help improve the health of Blacks and other communities of color, Fredette West is the founder of the African American Health Alliance (AAHA) and of FDWest Network Associates, each of which are committed to the elimination of racial and ethnic disparities in health and healthcare, and to ensuring access to quality healthcare for all. West also chairs the Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities Coalition. With considerable experience in Legislative Branch and Executive Branch of government, West worked many years on Capitol Hill -- among jobs held: Chief of Staff, CBC (Congressional Black Caucus) Health Braintrust Coordinator, and Associate Staff for House Labor-HHS-Ed Appropriations. Work in executive branch includes serving as Budget Officer of the National Eye Institute and as the Financial Management Officer of the National Library of Medicine.

West was the lead staff strategist and negotiator in developing and helping the CBC create and champion record funding for the Minority HIV/AIDS Initiative, and in achieving the renowned Presidential Tuskegee Apology. Work has also including helping to obtain record funding for health, education and employment training programs.

During the Clinton Administrations, West was at the center of countless healthcare policy battles and accomplishments. West, also, has drafted national legislation, funding and policy measures ranging from those on health to those on education and employment. She was honored for her outstanding contributions in the fight against HIV/AIDS – receiving the designation “Hero in the Struggle” by the African American AIDS Policy and Training Institute; awarded the CBC’s Hero’s in Healthcare award; and earned the “Heroes in Healthcare” awarded jointly by the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressional Native American Caucus, and Congressional Asian and Pacific American Caucus. West serves on a number of boards.