MISSION

On Saturday, November 7, 2009, the Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program (BBHOP) will launch
its Los Angeles Initiative in over 100 barbershops across Los Angeles County. Implemented nationwide,
BBHOP’s mission is to underscore the need for African American men to adopt healthier lifestyles,
promote awareness and early detection of diabetes, hypertension and prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND
The inception of the program grew out of recognizing the barbershop as a centralized gathering place for
black men that can also be used as a medium to link men to health resources.
The Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program was spearheaded by Founder, Executive Director and
Charles Drew University Associate Professor Dr. Bill J. Releford, DPM. Under his direction, the
program will employ these barbershops as platforms to disseminate health education information and give
screenings to black men, who exhibit poorer health outcomes than any other racial group in America. Dr.
Releford established this novel health project that has already garnered national distinction from such
mainstream media as Newsweek, NBC Nightly News and the Los Angeles Times.

WHAT WE WILL DO
Working directly in participating barbershops, a collection of nurses, physicians and volunteers will
provide: 1.) health information 2.) diabetes and hypertension screenings and 3.) referrals to no or low-cost
primary care providers. With the valued contribution from UCLA physician Dr. Stanley K. Frencher Jr.,
MD MPH, BBHOP will expand its widely successful three-tiered program to include its new initiative,
“PEP Talk,” the Prostate Education Project, which will engage African American men in a constructive
and informative conversation concerning prostate cancer.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

If you have any CLINICAL EXPERIENCE, you will:
1.) Provide blood pressure measurements
2.) Aid in blood glucose measurements
3.) Assist in providing health care information concerning diabetes, hypertension and prostate
cancer.

For those with NON-CLINICAL EXPERIENCE, you will:

1.) Help eligible men in enrolling in public programs (esp. Medi-Cal)
2.) Distribute health care information concerning diabetes, hypertension and prostate cancer to
barbershop patrons
3.) Distribute and assist patrons in filling out intake forms.
4.) Assist in other event-related activities.

ORIENTATION & TRAINING

A formal orientation & training will occur 2 weeks prior to the event. At that time, we will teach you and
demonstrate how to fill out an intake form, how to approach patrons and persuade them to participate in
our program as well as learn more about BBHOP’s purpose. Specifically for those with clinical
experience, you will receive training on using a new glucometer for diabetes screening. HIPAA training
will be provided for select volunteers. Time and place TBA.

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THE DAY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
We need you for the day of the event, November 7, 2009 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, at barbershops
located in the Greater Los Angeles Area. Join us on this special occasion in making a potent impact
across Los Angeles area network.

VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION
To register as a volunteer or learn more about the Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program, please
visit http://www.blackbarbershop.org

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Need help in signing up? Have questions or like to help in our endeavor in some other capacity? You can
email Margo Wade-LaDrew, National Events & Program Director, at mladrew@blackbarbershop.org or
Mawuse K. Gbegnon, BBHOP research associate, at mawusek@gmail.com with your:
1.) Contact information—phone and email
2.) Specify if you do or do not have clinical experience
3.) Question and/or comments