Fish and Loaves

On Saturday, December 13, the Community Engagement Core (CEC), under the leadership of Dr. William Pilkington, strengthened its commitment to community-engaged research by collaborating with Fish and Loaves at HW Field Cathedral in Greensboro, North Carolina. This partnership reflects the core belief that meaningful community engagement begins with relationships built through trust, presence, and mutual respect. By meeting people where they are and working alongside trusted faith-based partners, CEC continues to move through the paradigm of community-engaged research, recognizing that sustainable impact starts one relationship at a time.

During the event, CEC provided free blood pressure checks and body mass index (BMI) screenings, along with on-site education and counseling to support heart health and prevent chronic diseases. Participants also received fresh vegetables just in time for holiday meals, reinforcing the connection between nutrition, prevention, and overall well-being. Looking ahead, CEC is excited to grow this partnership and expand programming in collaboration with a conglomerate of faith communities across the Greensboro and High Point markets, further advancing health equity through trusted spaces, shared learning, and community-driven action.

Navigating New Trends

Rev. Michael McDougald is advancing stroke awareness and prevention through Strike Out Stroke, an RCMI-funded program focused on education, early recognition, and rapid response, especially in rural communities where timely care can mean the difference between life and death.

Community-Based Birth Doula Training

The NCCU Rural Health Hub (RRH) is excited to announce the launch of its new Community-Based Birth Doula Training, designed to expand maternal health support across rural Eastern North Carolina. This initiative seeks to improve maternal health outcomes and build a doula workforce deeply rooted in local communities. Doulas walk alongside expectant mothers and their families, offering physical comfort, emotional encouragement, and trusted guidance through every step of pregnancy.

From December 5th to 7th, the RRH training center buzzed with energy as 12 dedicated community members gathered for the program’s three-day training. Each participant completed the course and stepped into their new roles as doulas. Their journey doesn’t end there—ongoing mentorship, both virtual and in-person, will help them develop their skills and deepen their support for families throughout the region.

Dr. Seronda A. Robinson

This month's spotlight is Dr. Seronda A. Robinson, faculty member in the Department of Public Health Education at North Carolina Central University, core lead for the Research Centers in Minority Institutions Community Engagement Core (RCMI CEC), and co-director of the Health Equity, Environment and Population Health (HOPE) Program.

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• 01/17 - Men's Health Council: Durham County Department of Public Health, Weaver Street Recreation Center, Durham, NC
• 01/17 - MLK Event, NCCU, Walker Complex, NC
• 01/21 | 01/22 - Passport to Your Health, NCCU Student Center, Durham, NC
• 01/23 - Your Voice Your Health | "Broken Pipelines: Policy, Rural Health, and the Minority Healthcare Workforce", Virtual 
• 01/24 - A Matter of Faith and Health: Seniors Living Triumphantly, New Hope Church, Apex, NC
• 01/30 | 01/31 - Community Workshop: Collaboration with the HBCU Founders Initiative, Eshelman Innovation, and OIC, Rural Health Hub, Enfield, NC



^{Join Us for a Virtual Community Conversation!}



^{📅 January 23, 2026 | ⏰ 12:00 PM}

Are you interested in engaging with the community to support your research, project development, connect with community partners, and frame a proposal grounded in Community Engaged Research practices?

If yes, connect with the Community Engagement Core for a consultation.

We invite you to connect with us and share your updates, ideas, faculty publications and ongoing research endeavors.

Reach out to us today and let's collaborate!

📧 www.nccu.edu/rcmi

📧 rcmi@nccu.edu

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