Unconventional Tactics: How BaBEC's MPOX Strategy Landed Me at the White House

Never underestimate the power of community and a little ingenuity! In the midst of the MPOX emergency, where official support was as elusive as a Fire Island sunset, my nonprofit, the Black and Brown Equity Coalition of Fire Island, went DIY and caught the attention of the White House in the process.

First, let's talk about the lack of support we had. Despite multiple attempts to collaborate, Suffolk County and Northwell Health would only notify property owners' associations in Fire Island Pines and Cherry Grove about upcoming MPOX vaccine pods. We were left out of this crucial loop.

But you can't keep a good advocate down! We were already subscribed to both email lists. As soon as an email landed in our inbox, we'd grab the info, plug it into our already-prepared MPOX newsletter template, and blast it out to our mailing list. But we didn't stop there. That info was also immediately shared on our social media channels, complete with a direct link to sign up for vaccination appointments.

To supplement these efforts, we used Grindr to directly notify Black individuals on Fire Island about leftover vaccines due to no-shows. In our eyes, that's how you keep vaccination access equitable when the system isn't built for everyone.

Guess what? The White House took notice. They invited me to join their National MPOX Response Team, a role which I have graciously accepted. Now I’m not just amplifying voices on Fire Island; I'm doing it on a national stage.

The takeaway here is simple: When the system fails, grassroots advocacy steps in! Our efforts were born out of necessity and a fierce commitment to our community. And they landed us on a national platform where we can effect even more change.

So here's to more grassroots efforts, to more equity, and to shaking up the system from Fire Island all the way to Washington, D.C.