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African Americans are coming to Touch!

It's interesting to me to see the many changes that is occuring in our industry; one of them the most being the number of African Americans that are in the industry or attending school for massage. When I first attended school back in 1998, there was only one other sista n the program. Once I attended my school I graduated from, the class was predominating African American. That made me feel real good about things.
We don't get too much exposure to massage in the African American community, but now I see a growth in our presence, and to see African American men even more is comforting....
But this goes to an even greater need for sound business education in these programs and more support so all these new therapist, including myself, are not left out in the cold. More outreach programs and education in inner city high schools and job fairs form our industry need to make light....
So I am proud to see all that is progressing, but I am also worried. So if you can go out there and guide or mentor would make all the change in the world.... Nameste

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Comment by Rajam K Roose on March 14, 2010 at 1:58am: Wouldn't it be more effective to look at health problems that plague the African American population and then market in that direction? Such as heart disease....besides marketing to the barber or beautician, what about marketing through the church by getting with the church leaders and setting up a health program that includes a nutritionist, massage and/or other aspects.

Comment by Mark Lamm on March 12, 2010 at 9:38am: I find ways to give back to my community. I spent time with Coach Simon Peters at Compton College in LA working with his baseball players. It was great fun for me watching up and coming stars and the athletes received more than they expected or had ever experienced in whole body/mind care.

Comment by Emma Torsey on March 12, 2010 at 4:18am: I think it would be a great idea for you to go to the local high schools and talk about what you do.I remember when my kids were in high school their was a program that let the kids go "shadow" someone who was employed in the different fields of jobs the kids thought they might like to do when they get out of school.That was a great idea.One of my daughters thought she might like to get in to the dental field, she shadowed our dentist for a couple of hours each day for a week and she became a nurse instead,the shadowing helped her to know that was not for her,so, it works out well no matter witch way it turns.
Such a rewarding feeling to mentor children!
Peace,Emma

Comment by JB Harding, III LMT A.A.S. on March 11, 2010 at 11:01pm: I have been brainstorming on ways to target the community, but it's a lot of factors making the process difficult, but i have been looking at getting to the people who work at the staples of the community now like the barber or beautician, or the tattoo artist. If anyone use these targets with success, let me know... But I'm still working on that...

Comment by Rajam K Roose on March 11, 2010 at 1:50pm: I agree, there were several African Americans in my school, although I was in the South so there is a larger African American population than anywhere else in the country. Would also like to see more African Americans receiving massages as well and have thought about ways to specifically market to that community.