By Ricky Dana, Candidate for U.S. House – Missouri’s 4th District
🔥 Bold Fight for Minority Health and Aging in Missouri 🔥
Missouri’s strength comes from its people. That means every community deserves a fair shot. I learned this truth when I worked at Lincoln University in Jefferson City with the Paula J. Carter Center on Minority Health and Aging (PJCCMHA). Our mission was clear: tackle the deep health and income disparities that too many Missourians face, and give underserved people the tools to advocate for themselves.
The focus on minority health and aging wasn’t just an academic project—it was about saving lives, improving communities, and demanding fairness. While everyone was welcome in our programs, our priority was ensuring that underserved minorities and seniors were not forgotten.
🌎 Building Statewide Connections
The Paula J. Carter Center didn’t sit behind closed doors. We operated statewide—our main hub in Jefferson City, with offices in Kansas City, St. Louis, and Southeast Missouri. From urban neighborhoods to rural towns, we were on the ground. We held workshops, led training sessions, and partnered with local organizations so that no community was left out of the conversation on minority health and aging.
One of our biggest accomplishments was the annual Minority Institute on Minority Aging (MIMA). Every year, we brought underserved Missourians from across the state to Columbia. We paid for their travel, lodging, and meals so finances would never stand in the way. For several days, participants joined keynote speeches, breakout classes, and advocacy sessions. They learned about health, wellness, financial planning, and how to fight for better policies in their own communities. MIMA became a beacon of hope and empowerment.
📊 Turning Voices Into Action
Education was only half the fight. The other half was turning voices into action. After each MIMA symposium, I was tasked with collecting participant surveys, compiling data, and preparing detailed reports. These reports went directly to state lawmakers and agencies. They showed the impact of our work in black and white: people were learning, lives were improving, and disparities were narrowing. This evidence was used to secure funding so our mission could continue year after year.
We also worked closely with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and their Office of Minority Health. Together, we developed classes, launched programs, and created advocacy toolkits. It wasn’t just about health—it was about dignity, equality, and the right to thrive.
✊ Why Minority Health and Aging Matters Today
The battles we fought then are still with us today. Health care costs keep rising. Seniors on fixed incomes are stretched thin. Too many minority communities remain underfunded and underserved. Minority health and aging is not just a talking point—it’s a fight for survival and fairness.
My work at Lincoln University shaped who I am and why I am running for Congress. I know the value of grassroots advocacy. I’ve seen what happens when underserved Missourians are given the tools and the platform to fight back. We can close these gaps, but only if leaders step up with courage and compassion.
When I say Missouri Grown. Missouri Strong., I mean every Missourian—urban and rural, Black and white, young and old. No one should be left behind. The fight for minority health and aging is a fight for all of us.
Missouri Grown. Missouri Strong.