Historical
Connection
During the US segregation era, the “The Negro Motorist Green Book” or “The Green Book” was a lifesaving resource for Black people to navigate often dangerous U.S. roadways to access critical services for health care, lodging, restaurants, gas, and other essential services along their journey published between 1936 – 1967, ending shortly after passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Green Book was first published by Victor Hugo Green, a Harlem Postal Carrier, who used his Black carrier network to grow the book into an essential resource to help the Black community avoid danger and access safety amid systemic racism. This little pocket guide provided peace of mind.
Learn More: https://negromotoristgreenbook.si.edu/
In today’s “Post-COVID” environment, especially in cities like Louisville, KY, the Black community has been made keenly aware of key disparities in the health care delivery system. There is a visible difference in how health information is shared based on who it is targeting, and Black women are most often excluded from this messaging. In speaking directly with local Black women about this issue, they appreciate the importance of education and access to both HIV/PrEP care in the community to help end the epidemic but are adamant about the critical significance of addressing discrimination in the overall care delivery system as well. There remains a persistent need to identify better, more trustworthy resources for all core medical and other support services including mental health and pharmacy services to avoid medical mistrust and disengagement from care. It was from these discussions that the Black Women’s Prevention Green Book was born.
