Here’s the idea: Project Ricochet partners with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medicaid, UK Healthcare - Pharmacy Services, and other sponsors to take over a local barber shop for an afternoon to distribute valuable health care information specifically for African American men.
The effort is guided by former US Olympic athlete Dwight K St Hillaire.
WUKY is a media partner along with Radio Lex in the Barbershop Initiative.
According to the National Institutes of Health, when it comes to conditions ranging all the way from asthma to cancer, African-American men have higher rates than their white counterparts.
So the events are meant to combine a number of causes. Attendees receive free haircuts and free food in addition to health screenings and information on a variety of resources for physical and mental health.
The next Barbershop event is Saturday September 30th from noon to 3 p.m. at The L.A.B. Barber Academy 1132 Winchester Road. Additional information is available at projectricochet.org.
