Between our fabulous Divabetic Makeover Your Diabetes events, sponsored by Novo Nordisk, my parents and I, along with our core team members, traveled to various cities to deliver diabetes outreach with a flair that could only be described as diva-tastic! At one point, it felt like Divabetic was truly onto something special.
About a year into these Makeover tours, I received an invitation from the legendary Sally Smallwood, who was running the wildly successful All About Women expos in Tennessee. I was over the moon! Finally, I had the opportunity to present diabetes education at a women’s event, rather than at another diabetes convention where people would constantly remind me that men have diabetes too—thanks for that, Captain Obvious!
Stepping into a women’s event was a new experience for me. I had never attended such an event before, so I was unaware that everyone and their mother (literally!) would be sporting pink feather boas as if they were going out of style. Our flashy pink props, which I used at every Divabetic outreach program, once seemed fresh and fabulous; now they appeared about as exciting as a nobby beige sweater.
Not one to throw in the towel, I decided to switch things up and add some pizzazz to our Mamma Mia-themed workouts during the main stage presentation. Jessica Issler and I were getting into our groove to ABBA‘s Take A Chance On Me during a Boa Workout routine when Sally casually dropped a bombshell: Could I host a diabetes presentation on the main stage for a crowd of hundreds of Girl Scouts in just 30 minutes? Cue the cold sweat!
Without thinking, I said ‘sure’ before seeking out Jessica to figure out what we would do. In a moment of sheer inspiration, I recalled meeting a young woman living with type 2 diabetes and invited her to join us on stage to share her story. I felt that having a real-life person living with diabetes would resonate with the Girl Scouts. My hunch proved correct when the Girl Scouts asked our volunteer a million questions, shared how diabetes affected their families, and expressed their fears and concerns for loved ones living with diabetes. When we left the stage,
Sally quickly approached Jessica and I and asked us to present our program again to another group of Girl Scouts!
The first pilot program of Divabetic’s “Makeover Your Diabetes” at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA, was a disaster—until the last thirty minutes!
A month or two before, I had somehow miraculously managed to convince BioSector 2, Novo Nordisk’s healthcare communications agency, to take a chance on my bold, flashy, and glamorous approach to diabetes outreach. My idea involved combining free makeover services with one-on-one diabetes education focused primarily on women. (I had once presented a much smaller version of this idea in New York City.)
Now, there I was in Atlanta, with my newly created national team, which included diabetes educators, a plus-size image consultant, and a celebrity makeup artist, providing free outreach at the Fox Theatre. We stepped in as a last-minute replacement for Novo Nordisk’s calendar. However, two hours into our program, my ambitious dreams of touring cities and venues where my boss, Luther Vandross, had performed—helping to educate and empower Luther’s fans on preventing diabetes-related health complications—were sinking faster than a lead balloon. I was sweating bullets as I hosted this expensive diabetes outreach event for women in a grand ballroom, looking out at a crowd of fewer than a hundred attendees. Talk about a nightmare! I had underestimated the sheer logistics needed to travel, market, and activate any semblance of a diabetes community in Atlanta, a place where no one had ever heard of “Divabetic” before. I mistakenly assumed that if we built it, they would come. Unfortunately, that was not the case.
So, how did I manage to flip the script in those crucial last thirty minutes and transform our Atlanta flop into a surge of interest that made it the first stop on our national diabetes outreach tour? I did what I often did backstage at the DLife TV tapings and our Divabetic support meetings at the YMCA: I started talking to women about their diabetes. I took to the stage, grabbed the microphone, and began giving away gorgeous gift baskets to women who bravely shared their personal stories of living with type 1, type 2, and LADA diabetes. Ironically, our original “Makeover Your Diabetes” plan hadn’t even included a stage show or my role as the fabulous MC extraordinaire. It wasn’t even on my radar! If you ever attended any of the subsequent programs I hosted, which featured elaborate performances without interruptions, you might find this hard to believe.
Back then, in Atlanta, my role was serving as the Production Director for the event. Our education—encompassing five educational stages (diabetes A, B, C, fitness, nutrition, goal setting, and image)—formed what we called the infamous Makeover Maze, surrounded by a ring of complimentary makeover services (makeup and chair massage). A week before the event, I enlisted my parents to host a Divabetic merchandise table. I also recruited my friend, photographer Winston Kerr (who had worked with me on Luther Vandross tours), to set up a “Pass The Boa” Diva Photo Booth and my Gotham’s Writers Workshop friend, Toni Gadsden. These last-minute ideas truly made the program shine.
Now, back to those final thirty minutes of an underperforming attempt at diabetes outreach diva-style. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a row of beautiful, untouched gift baskets sitting behind our Divabetic merchandise table. Not wanting to disappoint the vendor who donated them, I had to act fast to give them away before the event ended. I figured the best way to accomplish that was to give them away on stage. The catch? To receive a basket, you had to come up on stage and share your experience of living with diabetes with me in front of the audience. Dressed in my trusty Divabetic t-shirt and jeans (since I hadn’t designed a fruit suit yet), I hopped on stage with a basket in hand and asked, “Who wants to win a gorgeous gift basket?”
My offer proved too tempting, and slowly but surely, women began to line up to join me on stage. One woman candidly shared how she woke up one day, shocked to discover she was twenty years older and twenty pounds heavier. She realized that if she wanted to see the next twenty years, it was time to tackle her diabetes head-on.
After giving away the last basket and waving goodbye to our new impromptu stars, I returned backstage to assist my team with the load-out. I didn’t think much about my on-stage antics; it felt like just another typical Divabetic gig where sharing testimonials came as naturally as breathing. However, Novo Nordisk’s representative, Susan J., had a different perspective. She told me those poignant testimonies were powerful and enlightening—like a TED Talk but with more pizzazz. Captivated, and even with the low turnout, she was ready for round two. Against her better judgment, she approved our next Divabetic pilot program scheduled for Philadelphia, PA. But there were three conditions: I had to don my stage persona and coax women into sharing their stories again, and I needed to compensate my parents and Winston, who turned out to be the unsung heroes of the evening.
I was over the moon! But hold your applause—now, my team and I had less than a month to rally over a hundred women at risk, living with, or affected by diabetes, in Philadelphia, PA. Plus, I had to put together a stage show. Was that even possible?
“I often heard women say, ‘I won’t have anything in common with the other women except for my diabetes,’ before attending a Divabetic Club meeting. However, within five minutes of meeting peers, those feelings of apprehension would fade away. Women who joined us quickly realized that sharing the experience of diabetes—whether they were living with type 1, type 2, LADA, or prediabetes—fostered a sense of community.
For several years, I hosted free monthly diabetes support meetings for all types of individuals affected by diabetes, including those with type 1, type 2, prediabetes, and those at risk, as well as their family members. These meetings were held at the McBurney YMCA in New York. The idea originated after I met Dana Hariton and Amy Jordan, both of whom live with type 1 diabetes, in the audience at a DLife TV show taping. Dana, a certified life coach, led our initial monthly meetings, which we called ‘Bee A Diva.’
Over time, these meetings evolved into Divabetic Club programs, featuring outstanding educators like Joy Pape, Jessica Issler, and Carol Yates, who volunteered their time. I specifically invited certified educators to moderate our discussions on diabetes self-care to help prevent unsolicited advice from some participants.
Every monthly meeting began with a fun icebreaker I created called “Pass the Boa.” We would sit in a circle, passing a feather boa from one participant to another. The boa represented a diva in my mind! When someone put on the boa, they had the opportunity to introduce themselves and share their diabetes journey. The women openly discussed their struggles, worries, anger, frustrations, and successes.
I remember one woman who attended month after month but couldn’t accept her type 2 diagnosis. She would often say, ‘I don’t understand how I could be diagnosed with diabetes today when I didn’t have it yesterday. What happened overnight?’ In moments of distress, we would offer words of encouragement, but most of the time, we simply listened. These testimonials proved invaluable in shaping Divabetic programming.
I invited various guest speakers and organized activities such as tea tastings, flower-making workshops, image services, tarot readings, tai chi demonstrations, and even sex toy parties. Activities that kept our hands busy helped facilitate open conversation.
For the record, we never discouraged men from joining us.
Since the Luther: Never Too Much documentary continues to air on CNN, I’ve decided to share my journey of how I transitioned from being a celebrity assistant to becoming a passionate advocate for diabetes awareness.
My goal has always been to help encourage people at risk, affected by and living with diabetes thrive.
Tales Of A Diabetes Advocate Part 1
No one was more surprised than I was when I became a diabetes advocate. However, after witnessing my boss, Luther Vandross, suffer a devastating stroke related to mismanaged type 2 diabetes, I felt compelled to take action. I wanted to raise awareness and help others avoid a similar health crisis. I was inspired by Patti LaBelle to coin the phrase “Divabetic” during her performance at a Luther tribute concert at the Theater at Madison Square Garden.
That night, I quickly came up with the tagline, “Sugar’s the Bitch. Not Me.”
The next day, I showed the term “Divabetic” to Luther’s niece, Seveda, who loved it and encouraged me to continue. If Seveda hadn’t liked it, I might not have pursued this path, but with her support, I enlisted Luther’s longtime art director, George Corsillo, to design my first Divabetic t-shirt. Armed with a bag of Divabetic t-shirts, I dove headfirst into diabetes advocacy.
My first event was organized by my sister-in-law, Laura, during a diabetes outreach event in Columbia, SC. Coincidentally, my older brother, Bob, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes around the same time that Luther suffered his stroke. Watching two of the strongest men I know cope with a chronic condition deeply resonated with me and fueled my determination.
My parents also helped me at my first event in Columbia, SC. I remember my mother creating t-shirt displays using one of her accordion room dividers.
Although I don’t recall anyone expressing much interest in what I was doing, that didn’t stop me. Upon returning to New York City, I started selling Divabetic (and Dude-A-Betic) t-shirts at street fairs and health events. Luther’s niece, Seveda, joined me on many of these outings. Determined to succeed, I continued to immerse myself in diabetes advocacy and began my outreach efforts slowly.
Thank you to everyone who has joined me on my journey in diabetes advocacy diva style!
I feel like my patience has eroded. I don’t know about you, but I struggle with waiting for a traffic light to change from red to green. To make it easier, I’ve tried turning it into a game: can I wait for the light to change before crossing the street, even if there’s no oncoming traffic? Most of the time, I can’t manage it. It feels like my patience is eroding. Many people believe that the decline of patience in modern society is due to the fast-paced nature of technology and the prevalence of instant gratification.
How patient are you?
I remember a woman named Roberta who attended our Divabetic Club meetings. We hosted free monthly diabetes support meetings at the McBurney YMCA, and Roberta epitomized patience. She had been living with type 1 diabetes for over three decades and often referred to herself as a “brittle diabetic.” This term describes a specific form of diabetes characterized by frequent and severe fluctuations in blood sugar levels.
Roberta explained that she practiced the Rule of 15 for treating low blood sugars. The Rule of 15—or the 15-15 rule—is a guideline for managing hypoglycemia in people with diabetes. It involves consuming 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates, waiting 15 minutes, and then checking your blood sugar again. If it’s still low, you repeat the process until your blood sugar returns to a safe level.
Roberta mentioned that she would light a candle and watch it melt while waiting for the 15 minutes to pass. If she needed to retreat, she would continue lighting the candle. I wonder how many people would be willing to do that today. I’m certain most would be scrolling through Instagram or consuming fast-acting glucose to resolve their issue as quickly as possible.
There’s a lot to be said for exercising patience in managing good health.
‘m thrilled to share Brenda White-King‘s thoughtful reflection on Luther Vandross. Brenda reflects on her deep friendship with Luther, sharing his profound impact on her life. She has said that his presence made her feel beautiful, a testament to his character and the genuine connections he fostered with those around him.
During her tour with Roberta Flack, Brenda met Luther Vandross, who was singing background vocals for Flack. Their relationship blossomed as Luther launched his own solo career, during which Brenda had the privilege of supporting him on his journey and performing backing vocals for Dionne Warwick.
Brenda White-King’s story is one of talent, friendship, and the enduring connections forged through music.
Brenda White-King is a New Jersey-based vocalist in the music industry. She has had the incredible opportunity to tour alongside legends like Roberta Flack, Luther Vandross, Dionne Warwick, Dave Matthews Band, Nena, Chaka Khan, Serge Gainsbourg, Lenny Kravitz, and Aretha Franklin. Each of these collaborations has contributed to Brenda’s development as an artist.
Brenda’s journey began at Barringer High School in Newark, where she first discovered her love for singing. She honed her craft and formed a girl group called the Ebonettes alongside her dear friend Gwen Guthrie from Orange. Brenda sang backing vocals on Ben E. King’s Supernatural Thing, Pt.1
As a side note, I designed several costumes for Dave Matthews’ Lovely Ladies: Tawatha Agee, Brenda White-King, and Cindy Mizelle. Additionally, Cindy Mizelle and Brenda White-King recorded my dance anthem That Man of Mine under the name ‘Sugar Shop’ back in the ’90s, which charted on the Billboard Dance Charts!
Everyone loves a beautiful bathroom, right? Look at poet, artist, designer Apryl Miller‘s magical Eastside home in New York City!
It is truly an artist’s paradise with colorful patterned tiles, whimsical cabinetry, and breathtaking views. But even the most beautiful bathroom can’t magically fix the challenges of managing diabetes.
Managing diabetes is super important, especially when it comes to bathroom-related issues. Things like constipation, diarrhea, frequent urination, and urinary incontinence can affect daily life and personal dignity.
Sometimes, people don’t recognize the early signs of diabetes or pre-diabetes and go on living without making necessary lifestyle changes. This can lead to serious complications down the road. It’s essential to keep a close eye on blood sugar levels and follow medical advice to help prevent issues like bowel control problems.
I remember speaking with a woman who had unmanaged type 2 diabetes. She shared her struggle with not recognizing when to use the bathroom until it was too late. While determined to get her life back on track during college, she faced this personal challenge. High blood sugar can cause nerve damage in the digestive system, making it harder for her body to function correctly.
Plus, certain medications like Metformin, Ozempic, and Monjaro can have side effects that include diarrhea. It’s really important to take charge of diabetes management, not just for physical health, but also to maintain that sense of dignity and well-being. Let’s remember to be proactive and take steps toward better health! The first steps to overcoming the burden of diabetes management involve education, setting realistic goals, and building a support system.
Don’t try to change everything at once. Focus on one or two manageable goals at a time, like adding more servings of vegetables or exercising for 15 minutes a day. It takes time to make lasting changes and see results. Celebrate your successes and don’t get discouraged by setbacks.
Focusing on understanding diabetes, making small, achievable lifestyle changes, and connecting with others can help ease the feeling of being overwhelmed.
Emmy Award-winning singer Alyson Williams shares her experience of living with LADA (Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults) which develops in adults and shares characteristics with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
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Alyson Williams, well-known for her hit singles in the late 1980s and early 1990s, such as Just Call My Name, Sleep Talk, My Love Is So Raw, and I Need Your Lovin, inspires many with her music and her journey.
Living with LADA presents its own unique challenges, especially while touring and performing in different cities.
Alyson emphasizes the importance of self-care, encouraging everyone to prioritize their health regardless of their career demands. Seeking support from healthcare professionals can make a significant difference in managing fluctuating blood sugar levels.
Remember to treat yourself kindly today! Focus on positive self-talk, engage in self-care activities, and don’t hesitate to reach out to loved ones or diabetes support groups. It’s a journey we can navigate together, and every step counts!
You are doing great by taking care of yourself and staying informed.
Wheelchairs and mobility devices are powerful tools that empower individuals with mobility limitations, allowing them to embrace independence and take charge of their lives.
These innovative devices facilitate movement through their environments and enable participation in daily activities and community engagement. They represent more than just physical aids; they symbolize freedom and the ability to perform tasks independently.
By reducing reliance on others, these devices foster a profound sense of self-reliance and confidence, inspiring individuals to thrive and embrace opportunities.
Today, let’s celebrate the incredible strength and pioneering spirit of mothers everywhere! One remarkable story is that of Elizabeth Hughes Gossett, who became the first American woman to receive insulin treatment for type 1 diabetes. Her journey began in 1919 when she was diagnosed at just 12 years old.
Before she received insulin in 1922, Elizabeth faced tremendous challenges, as her health deteriorated and her weight dropped to a mere 45 pounds. However, with the groundbreaking treatment pioneered by Sir Frederick Banting, everything changed. Elizabeth started receiving insulin injections, and soon after, she began regaining her strength and vitality, illustrating the power of resilience and hope.
Insulin is not just a major medical breakthrough; it transformed lives, and Elizabeth’s story has inspired many as a true pioneer in insulin therapy. In 1930, she married William T. Gossett and welcomed three beautiful children into the world, showing that love and determination can overcome any obstacle.
Today, let’s honor all mothers and their amazing journeys, just like Elizabeth’s. They inspire us with their courage and remind us of the power of love and perseverance. Wishing a joyful and uplifting day to all mothers!
