They dont have to explain a lot San Jose clinics push Black health to the forefront

Ujima Adult & Family Services and Roots Community Health are vital health service providers for the Black community in San Jose, focusing on culturally centered care. Ujima, established in 1991, aims to address the disproportionate representation of Black youth in juvenile hall by offering behavioral health services through a cultural lens. Roots Community Health, which opened its San Jose branch in 2017, emphasizes trust-building and understanding clients' cultural experiences. Both organizations work together to combat alarming mortality rates, as Black infants in Santa Clara County face a significantly higher death rate than their peers. Founder Yvonne Maxwell stresses that cultural context is crucial for effective treatment, as misdiagnosis and overmedication often plague Black patients.

Ujima’s holistic approach includes mental health assessments and therapies tailored to individual needs. By fostering an environment that celebrates Black heritage, these organizations enable clients to express their challenges freely. Their collaborative efforts aim to improve health outcomes in a community where the African American population is diminishing.