Two Long Island health advocates are taking different but connected approaches to combating serious health issues, focusing on prevention, awareness, and community action. West Babylon resident John Jabari Michel, 48, a nutritionist and founder of Quest Nutrition Network, serves as health chairman for the 100 Black Men of Eastern New York and the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce. He has spent nearly two decades helping individuals improve health through lifestyle changes, shaped early by growing up surrounded by family members dealing with diabetes, high blood pressure, and other chronic conditions. Michel adopted a mostly plant-based lifestyle and emphasizes that diets centered on fruits, vegetables, and whole foods are linked to lower risks of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Kevin Byrd, 45, has spent more than 25 years raising awareness of prostate cancer following his college experience losing his grandfather to the disease. Byrd has led awareness initiatives through organizations including the 100 Black Men of America and the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce. His efforts have reached global audiences through awareness campaigns in Times Square and international outreach. Byrd said the fight remains far from over: “We are doing a really good job with screening, but we still need more.” His work focuses on encouraging men to get screened early, a step that can make the difference between life and death. “It’s about catching it early before it gets out of hand,” he said.
Now working together through the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce and 100 Black Men of Eastern New York, Michel and Byrd are expanding access to information and screening through webinars and community events. Their latest efforts include an April prostate health webinar focused on awareness and early detection, followed by a May mental health webinar. A larger in-person event is scheduled for June 13 in Brooklyn where approximately 40 men will receive prostate cancer screenings. The series continues June 27 with a workshop on health, mental health, and financial wellness. Michel emphasized, “It’s about listening to what the community needs. If the community needs awareness around a disease, that’s what we focus on.” Byrd noted, “It takes a team to reach millions of people. It’s not about accolades—it’s about saving lives.”
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://patch.com/new-york/huntington/long-island-health-leaders-push-prevention-screening-fight-disease