Bridging the Gap: Supporting Our African American Children with Diabetes in Schools

Bridging the Gap: Supporting Our African American Children with Diabetes in Schools

Author: Leon Rock, M. Ed. July 17, 2025 Duration: 16:34

Welcome back to The African American Diabetes Podcast! I'm your host, Leon Rock, and in this powerful Episode 17, we're diving deep into a topic that hits incredibly close to home and is vital for the future of our community: the profound impact of diabetes on African American school-aged children.

This isn't just about numbers; it's about our children, their dreams, and their ability to thrive. We'll explore how diabetes can significantly affect their learning, social interactions, and overall well-being within the school environment. From navigating blood sugar levels during class to managing social anxieties around their condition, we'll uncover the unique challenges our young ones face.

But more importantly, this episode is about empowerment and action! We'll share crucial insights and practical strategies for supporting these incredible children in the school environment. Join us as we equip parents, educators, and community members with the knowledge and tools needed to ensure our children with diabetes receive the understanding, care, and opportunities they deserve to flourish. Let's nurture our future, together!


Hosted by educator Leon Rock, M. Ed., African American Diabetes Podcast Show creates a vital space for conversation and practical guidance centered on the Black experience with diabetes. This isn't just a health podcast; it's a resource built on understanding the unique cultural, social, and systemic factors at play. Each episode blends straightforward advice with deeper commentary, drawing on the knowledge of Black healthcare professionals and researchers who provide not only medical insights but also crucial context on navigating the healthcare landscape. You'll hear real stories of resilience and management that resonate on a personal level. Grounded in a Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation framework, the discussions go beyond diet and exercise to address the whole journey. The tone is supportive and direct, offering actionable steps while fostering a sense of community. Whether the topic is fitness, nutrition, or the latest relevant news, Leon Rock facilitates conversations that empower informed choices and holistic well-being. Tuning in means accessing a dedicated blend of expert insight and shared experience, all tailored to meet listeners where they are.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 45

African American Diabetes Podcast Show
Podcast Episodes
Beyond the Finger Prick:  Reclaiming  Black Health & Diabetes Tech [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:41
Standard diabetes care wasn't built with Black communities in mind—and it’s time to rewrite the rules. Join host Leon Rock as he dives into the systemic barriers, outdated advice, and implicit biases that keep life-chang…
Navigating Complex Care Spaces  Through Individual and Family Advocacy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:50
You are your family’s best advocate, but how do you make sure you're actually heard in a complex medical system? Join host Leon Rock on the African American Diabetes Podcast for a deeply inspiring and necessary conversat…
The Other America In Our Bloodstream [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:47
Everyone loves the "Dream." But do you know the reality?In 1967, Dr. King walked onto Stanford’s campus and delivered "The Other America", a raw, searing takedown of economic inequality and systemic division that shook t…
Real Talk on PAD, Diabetes, and Our Community [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:27
Family, pull up a chair. If you or a loved one is living with Type 2 diabetes, this is the most important message you’ll hear all year.On the latest episode of the African American Diabetes Podcast, host Leon Rock is del…
Real Talk on PAD, Diabetes, and Our Community [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:50
Family, pull up a chair. If you or a loved one is living with Type 2 diabetes, this is the most important message you’ll hear all year.On the latest episode of the African American Diabetes Podcast, host Leon Rock is del…
Title: The Truth About the A1C Test and Our Community: [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:55
Stop trying to "cheat" your lab work, family! In this high-energy solo episode, host Leon Rock breaks down why your A1C test isn't a daily snapshot, it’s a 90-day time machine. Leon strips away the medical jargon and the…
It’s All Connected: Breaking Down Cardiometabolic Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:25
It’s time we stop playing "Whack-A-Mole" with our health.In this special African American Diabetes Podcast, I’m breaking down the clunky medical term Cardiometabolic Health in a way that actually makes sense for us.We’ve…