What if your zip code determined your health, wealth, and life expectancy? In this episode of Questions You Didn’t Ask, host Niasha Fray explores the deep ties between economic justice and health equity with guests Dr. Keisha Bentley-Edwards (Duke University) and Farad Ali (entrepreneur and community leader).

Together, they reveal how manufactured adversity—from overpriced corner stores to disappearing clinics—creates what Dr. Bentley-Edwards calls “health deserts.” They also challenge the myth of resilience, calling for solutions that address both urgent needs and the root causes of inequity.

✨ What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why “convenience taxes” keep Black communities paying more for less
• How health deserts shape maternal health, chronic disease, and survival
• The role of social capital, financial literacy, and generational wealth in thriving communities
• Why true equity requires both immediate support and long-term systems change

This episode is a must-listen for anyone invested in community transformation, social justice, and health equity.

🎧 Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform—and don’t forget to leave a review.

Sponsored by Barron Damon | Giving While Black Podcast

Series 4 is proudly sponsored by Barron Damon, Professional Certified Philanthropic Coach and host of the Giving While Black Podcast. Discover how strategic philanthropy can fuel growth, engage employees, and create lasting impact.

👉 Learn more: GivingWhileBlackPodcast.com | businessoflifecc.com