Daily Health Bites

I had one more hidden figure to talk about for Black History Month. We are still early in March, and I really wanted to share this unsung hero, Gladys West. We’ve all been there: staring at the blue dot on our phones, waiting for it to tell us which way to turn. But have you ever stopped to wonder how that tiny dot knows exactly where you are standing on a planet that is constantly spinning, tilting, and—believe it or not—isn't even a perfect sphere? Meet  Dr. Gladys West . If you made it to work on time today or found that new coffee shop using GPS, you have her to thank. What Was So Special About Gladys West? While many people think GPS is just about satellites and "space stuff," the real magic happens in the math. Dr. West was a mathematician at the  Naval Surface Warfare Center  in Dahlgren, Virginia. Starting in 1956, she became the second Black woman ever hired there. Her monumental task?  Mapping the Earth.  Earth isn't a smooth ball; it has "undulations...

Let’s be real for a second. When we talk about Black History, we tend to get the "Greatest Hits" version. We hear about the speeches, the triumphs, and the iconic faces. But history isn't just made by the people at the microphone; it’s built by the geniuses in the back room with a clipboard and a cigarette. Enter  Bayard Rustin.  If Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was the soul of the Civil Rights Movement, Bayard Rustin was the  engine.  And honestly? It’s a crime that more people don't know his name. The King Maker Here is the piece of tea they didn't teach us in school:  Dr. King didn’t start out as the "Prince of Peace."  When Rustin arrived in Montgomery during the bus boycotts, he found MLK’s house protected by armed guards. Dr. King actually had guns in the house for protection! Rustin, who had traveled to India to study Gandhi’s tactics, was the one who looked at King and said,  "If you want this to work, you have to put the guns away."  Rust...

Today we’re pressing pause on Black History Month. We’ll resume tomorrow with quiet Black figures who deserve recognition. But today, we need to talk about something else. The C word. James Van Der Beek has died at 48 after battling colorectal cancer. His wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, shared the heartbreaking news. His brother has spoken publicly about the pain their family is experiencing. He was 48. And from what has been shared, he didn’t initially think this was something that could happen to him. Because he was young. How many of us have thought that? “It’s Probably Nothing.” That’s what so many people say when symptoms first show up. Bowel changes? “It’s the coffee.” Stomach discomfort? “It’s stress.” Blood in the stool? “Probably hemorrhoids.” Here’s the problem: colorectal cancer often starts quietly. The symptoms can feel small. Dismissible. Easy to explain away. Until they aren’t. And by the time many younger adults get diagnosed, it’s already advanced. Colorectal Cancer Is Ri...

Be honest: had you ever heard the name  Ella Baker  before today? If not, you’re not alone. And that’s exactly why her story matters. Ella Baker was a Black woman who helped  build  the civil rights movement as we know it. Not from a podium. Not with fame. But from the ground up — organizing everyday people, especially young folks, and teaching them how to lead  themselves . So… Who Was Ella Baker, Really? Ella Baker (1903–1986)  was a civil rights activist, organizer, and strategist who believed that real power lives in communities, not in one “great” leader. Her most famous belief? “Strong people don’t need strong leaders.” That idea was revolutionary — and still is. What Did Ella Baker Actually Do? Ella Baker worked with almost every major civil rights organization you’ve heard of, including: The  NAACP , where she organized local chapters across the South The  Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) The  Student Nonviolent Coordin...