Shareena, Atava and Leslie

On Sunday, our Cecemmana herbal students had a great training with Shareena and Leslie from the People’s Community Medics of Oakland.   Many times in brown and black neighborhoods there is a delay in the arrival of EMT’s after injury or violence in the community.  Shareena and Leslie founded this organization as a response to the 2009 murder of Oscar Grant at the Fruitvale Bart Station in Oakland,  whose medical care was delayed 20 minutes due to racist infrastructure in the police force.

These women train community members to be first responders in case of medical emergencies or violence in their neighborhoods.  They respond to emergencies before the EMT’s arrive and deliver emergency first aid which helps to save lives.

Shareena and Leslie have a vision to keep expanding their work and to continue offering first responder trainings to more and more people.    Ancestral Apothecary hopes to continue collaborating with these powerful women and supporting their vision.