Today we’d like to introduce you to Fredrick Robinson.
Hi Fredrick, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
After suffering three heart attacks over three consecutive days, Tara and I set out on a mission to figure out why this happened to us. What we discovered along the way was that heart disease was the leading cause of death for all people, at that time, heart attacks claimed a life every minute, and communities of color were disproportionately impacted by this silent killer. This information compelled us to shift our mission outward! If we could help it, we didn’t want anyone else to experience what we had. So we began visiting different community events, establishments, and organizations to share our story in hopes of raising awareness about heart disease. Along with our story, we would provide blood pressure and glucose screenings to the community. Fast forward a few years, after loosing our brother in law (38) to a hypertensive heart attack, we became more aggressive and loud in terms of getting our message out. In 2018 we were blessed to receive funding to provide services on a larger scale. In 2019 our first mobile unit (CARDI V) rolled out into the community to provided free cholesterol, glucose, and LP(a) screenings. Now we have two units that serve the entire state of Texas and beyond.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
While well worth it, the journey hasn’t been without its challenges. I think the biggest challenge, like a lot of other community based non-profit organizations, is securing funding that allows you to do the work in the most efficient, effective and impactful way.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am the Co-founder and COO of Black Heart Association. In my leadership role, I oversee the day to day operations of the organization. I work closely with our Director of Programming to ensure that all of our programs are operating as efficiently as possible, while also continuing to expand our programs to better serve our community. I also work closely with our CEO, Tara Robinson, to forge new relationships and cultivate new partnerships that will allow BHA to expand our impact across the US and abroad. I am proud to say that we have served in over 50 cities, serving over 300 communities, and provided over 20,000 free screenings. The work that we’ve done is a big part of why cardiovascular related deaths in Tarrant county are down over 30%. A big part of our impact is because of how we serve. The community actually has the ability to book our services without ever speaking with our organization. So, in a sense, we are a community based organization that’s actually driven by the community.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We are always interested in partnering with other organizations with an aligned mission to improve the health outcomes and overall quality of life for underserved, and often overlooked communities. Anyone interested in partnering/collaborating with us can simply visit our website at WWW.BlackHeartAssociation.org, or they can contact me at 972-646-0031. Anyone interested in supporting BHA can do so in the following ways:
They can donate to any of the following efforts:
1. Our screening efforts (supplies, lab fees)
2. Our expansion efforts (mobile unit procurement/renovations)
3. Operational support (staffing)
4. Honor a loved one through our memorial page.
For anyone who wishes to offer non-financial support, we always welcome volunteers to come out and serve alongside our team. Simply visit the website and click the “Get Involved” link. Additional ways to support are by mentioning our organization in rooms that we may not be present, and or following us on all social media platforms @ BlackHeartAssociation.
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