Why AADA Exists
In the United States, the diabetes epidemic disproportionately impacts the Black community, where adults are 60% more likely to be diagnosed with the disease and twice as likely to die from it compared to non-Hispanic whites. These disparities are driven by systemic factors, including restricted access to quality healthcare, food insecurity in "food deserts," and higher rates of complications like kidney disease and lower-limb amputations.
The African American Diabetes Association (AADA) exists to close this gap by serving as a dedicated voice for those at risk or currently living with the condition. Inspired by the legacy of National Negro Health Week, the AADA provides culturally relevant education, advocacy, and community-driven support to dismantle health inequities and empower Black families with the tools they need to live healthier, longer lives.
Can't afford diabetes care
For many African Americans, the cost of diabetes care is a crushing financial burden, as high out-of-pocket expenses for insulin and supplies often force families to choose between life-saving medication and basic necessities like food or rent.
Approximately 1 in 4 Black Americans with diabetes report rationing or skipping insulin doses to save money.
Lack of resources
Systemic inequities have left many African American communities as "medical deserts," where a lack of specialized clinics and culturally competent providers forces patients to rely on overcrowded emergency rooms rather than consistent, preventative primary care.
Shortage of Black healthcare professionals (only ~5-9% of U.S. doctors).
Fear of stigma
In many African American communities, a deep-seated fear of life-altering complications like amputations, combined with the stigma of being "blamed" for the condition, often silences conversation and prevents people from seeking the early care they need.
Generational Trauma "My grandmother lost her leg to 'the sugar'."
Medical Mistrust"They just want to use me for a study."
"Be the Spark for Change"
Donate Today!
Claim Your Role in the Fight for Health Equity
For many in our community, a diabetes diagnosis feels like a wall between them and their future. But it doesn’t have to be. Your gift is the lifeline they depend on—closing the gap between physical care and the emotional support needed to thrive.
Help us turn the tide. Choose your impact below:
$25 — One Culturally-Tailored Counseling Session
Connect a newly diagnosed neighbor with a counselor who speaks their language and understands the specific social pressures of managing diabetes within their culture. You aren’t just providing a session; you’re providing understanding.
$75 — One Month of Peer Support Group Access
Isolation is a dangerous side effect of chronic illness. This gift covers the cost for a community member to join a dedicated support network, fostering a space for shared experience where they can say, "I am not alone."
$150 — "Mind & Body" Workshop for 20 Participants
Stress isn’t just a feeling; it’s a physiological barrier. This workshop focuses on the direct link between emotional well-being and $A1c$ management, teaching 20 people the stress-reduction techniques proven to improve clinical outcomes.
$500 — The Full Empowerment Package
Provide the gold standard of care for an individual in deep need. This gift funds a comprehensive cycle of professional therapy sessions combined with a full year of community support group access.
This is a total transformation.
$1,000 — The Legacy: Hyper-Local AADA Chapter
Don’t just fund a session—fund a movement. This package equips local leaders with the training and resources to establish a permanent community chapter. Your gift seeds a sustainable engine for health equity that will serve this neighborhood for years to come.
What Is Diabetes
Diabetes is a health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. Normally, when you eat, your body breaks down carbohydrates into a sugar called glucose, which enters your bloodstream. To help that sugar get into your cells for energy, an organ called the pancreas releases a hormone called insulin. Think of insulin as a "key" that unlocks your cells; without it, the sugar stays stuck in your blood instead of fueling your body.
There are two main types of diabetes. In Type 1, the body’s immune system accidentally attacks the pancreas, stopping it from making insulin entirely. In Type 2, which is more common, the body either doesn't make enough insulin or doesn't use it very well—sort of like the "lock" on the cell being jammed. Over time, having too much sugar in the blood can cause serious health problems, but many people manage it through healthy eating, exercise, and sometimes medicine or insulin shots.
Pre Diabetes
Pre-diabetes is like a yellow traffic light. It means your blood sugar levels are higher than they should be, but not quite high enough to be called Type 2 diabetes yet.
At this stage, the cells in your body are starting to ignore insulin, causing sugar to back up in the blood. The good news is that pre-diabetes can often be reversed. By making changes like eating more vegetables and staying active, many people can "reset" their blood sugar and prevent it from turning into a permanent condition.
Type1
Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, which means the body’s immune system—the system that usually fights off germs—gets confused and attacks the healthy cells in the pancreas. Because of this, the pancreas stops making insulin entirely. Unlike Type 2, this has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle choices; it’s usually something people are born with or develop very suddenly as children or young adults.
Because their bodies no longer have that "key" to let sugar into their cells, people with Type 1 must take insulin every single day, either through shots or a wearable pump. They also have to check their blood sugar levels frequently to make sure they aren't too high or too low. With the right balance of medicine and monitoring, people with Type 1 can live very active lives and do everything their peers can do.
Type 2
Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the condition. It happens when your body’s cells become "resistant" to insulin, meaning they stop responding to the hormone's signal to let sugar in. Imagine the lock on a door getting rusty, the key (insulin) is there, but it won't turn. To make up for this, the pancreas works overtime to pump out even more insulin, but eventually, it can’t keep up, and sugar levels in the blood begin to rise.
While genetics play a role, Type 2 is often linked to lifestyle factors like activity levels and diet.
Unlike Type 1, many people can manage or even put Type 2 into "remission" by losing weight, changing their eating habits, and exercising. However, because it often develops slowly over many years, some people don't even realize they have it until a doctor runs a blood test.
Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a type of high blood sugar that some people develop during pregnancy. Even if a person didn't have diabetes before, pregnancy hormones can sometimes interfere with how insulin works.
This usually happens in the second or third trimester. While it typically goes away after the baby is born, it requires careful monitoring to keep both the parent and the baby healthy. It also serves as a signal to stay mindful of health later in life, as it can increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes down the road.
"I volunteer with the AADA because, I want to turn my daily challenges into a source of support and advocacy for others navigating the same journey.."
Shawna, Type 1 Diabetic
What We Offer
Advocacy & Policy
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Health Equity Campaigns: The AADA advocates for policy changes that address "food deserts" (lack of healthy food access) and systemic biases within medical training.
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Expanding Access: We work with policymakers to ensure affordable health insurance and better resources for community health centers in underserved urban and rural areas.
AADA Chapters
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Building hyper-local chapters working to deliver hyper-local life-saving education and advocacy directly into the neighborhoods where it is needed most.
Community Outreach & Engagement
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Faith-Based Initiatives: The AADA partners with Black churches to integrate diabetes screenings and education into trusted community spaces. This includes "Diabetes Awareness Sundays," where information and resources are shared directly with parishioners.
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Barbershop & Salon Outreach: By meeting people in everyday gathering spots, the AADA provides health literature and blood pressure/glucose awareness in environments where community members feel most comfortable.
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Community Partnership Workshops: They collaborate with fraternities, sororities, and local nonprofits to deliver support programs that focus on early detection and risk reduction.
Culturally Relevant Education
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"Eating Healthy Project": This initiative teaches participants how to identify and prepare healthy food while honoring traditional cultural cuisines. It focuses on the "Think, Feel, Act" model to help individuals develop better cognitive and emotional relationships with food.
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Virtual Diabetes Workshop Series: Free online sessions that feature board members and guest experts discussing diabetes management, the importance of $A1c testing, and how systemic health disparities affect treatment.
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Educational Materials in Context: The AADA develops resources that use relatable language and address the specific nutritional habits and lifestyle factors prevalent in the African American community.
Support & Empowerment
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Peer Support Networks: We foster mentorship programs and support groups to reduce the isolation often felt after a diagnosis. These groups provide a platform for sharing personal success stories and practical management tips.
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Speaker’s Bureau: We provide dynamic speakers for corporate meetings, universities, and schools to raise awareness and debunk common myths (e.g., the idea that diabetes is purely caused by sugar intake).
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Self-Advocacy Training: Equipping individuals with the skills to navigate the healthcare system, communicate effectively with doctors, and demand equitable care.
"No one should fight diabetes alone; everyone deserves a community of care."
Questions?
Text us: 240-564-9040
Email: hello@africanamericandiabetes.org
Other Ways to Help:
Volunteer
Share our mission on social media
Organize a fundraiser at your school