FAITH AT THE PLATE: Healing 76104 & 76105 Through Faith and Public Health. A Movement for Change in Fort Worth.

FAITH AT THE PLATE: Healing 76104 & 76105 Through Faith and Public Health. A Movement for Change in Fort Worth.

In Fort Worth’s 76104 ZIP code, where residents face the lowest life expectancy in Texas at just 67 years, a transformative movement is taking root to bridge the health equity gap. Faith at the Plate: The Health + Healing Hubs Initiative is a faith-based, community-driven approach to public health, bringing vital health resources, education, and support directly to those who need it most.

Led by It’s Time Texas, now known as Healthier Texas, in collaboration with local churches, healthcare professionals, and faith-based organizations, this initiative empowers individuals and families to live healthier, longer lives, right where they live, work, and worship.

Focusing on 76104 and 76105, the Health + Healing Hubs initiative is more than a healthcare program, it is a movement that integrates faith, culture, and community to address the root causes of health disparities and create lasting change.

A Community-Centered Approach to Health

Health Support from People You Trust

At the heart of the Health + Healing Hubs Initiative is the training and certification of Community Health Workers (CHWs), trusted individuals from the neighborhoods they serve. These CHWs provide personalized health guidance, resources, and encouragement, helping residents navigate their wellness journey with culturally relevant support.

Programs Designed to Make a Difference

Many residents in 76104 and 76105 face barriers to healthcare, fresh food, and wellness education. The Health + Healing Hubs initiative eliminates these barriers through free, accessible programs, including:

Weekly fitness classes to promote physical health

Nutritional workshops and meal-prep sessions for healthier eating habits

Health screenings and chronic disease monitoring (diabetes, blood pressure, heart disease)

Mental health support groups to address stress and emotional well-being

Faith-based wellness programs that integrate spiritual and physical health

A Welcoming Space for Everyone

This initiative is open to all, whether residents attend church or not. Education, fresh food access, and wellness resources are provided through local farmers’ markets and community events, ensuring that no one is left behind.

A Powerful Collaboration for Health Equity

The Health + Healing Hubs initiative is powered by a coalition of dedicated organizations working together for a healthier, stronger community:

University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth

Christ Temple Church

Greater True Light Church

New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church

The Ministers Justice Coalition of Texas

By integrating faith-based leadership with healthcare expertise, this initiative is making public health accessible, personalized, and culturally supportive, proving that every life in 76104 and 76105 is worth fighting for.

New Mount Rose MBC: A Church on the Frontlines of Change

Since Rev. Kyev P. Tatum took the helm at New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church in 2018, the church has become a beacon of hope and transformation. Pastor Tatum has led New Mount Rose in embracing a social and liberation gospel, one that fights for health equity, social justice, and economic empowerment for Black and Brown communities.

Under his leadership, New Mount Rose is more than just a church, it is a holistic healing center serving the mind, body, and soul. Through partnerships like Health + Healing Hubs, the church is taking an active role in eliminating health disparities and advocating for a brighter future.

With the mission, “A Church in the Community and a Community in the Church,”Pastor Tatum envisions faith-based institutions as centers for community-driven solutions. The Faith at the Plate initiative is an extension of this vision—bringing health resources beyond hospitals and clinics and into the heart of the community.

Pastor Kyev Tatum: A Visionary for Faith, Justice, and Health Equity

A Legacy of Service and Advocacy

Pastor Kyev P. Tatum, Sr. is a civil rights leader, historian, and pastor with over 30 years of experience in policy, program development, and public advocacy. He has dedicated his life to uplifting underserved communities through faith, education, and social justice.

As President of the Ministers Justice Coalition of Texas, he has led efforts to dismantle systemic injustices, fight for economic empowerment, and create faith-based coalitions for transformative change. His work has earned national recognition, including a 2024 nomination as a Bloomberg New Economy Catalyst for his leadership in community-driven economic development.

Bridging Faith, Health, and Economic Empowerment

Beyond his advocacy in healthcare, Pastor Tatum has been at the forefront of economic empowerment initiatives. He founded Coffeeaires and the Inner City Coffee Exchange to stimulate urban economies through specialty coffee. His project, From Bean to Bank: A Blueprint to Brewing a Better Economy for the Inner-City Community, outlines a strategy for using coffee as a tool for financial growth in underserved areas.

He is also a historian and author, curating under-heard Black history stories in Texas. His upcoming book, Fighting Black in Texas: An Anthology of Black Texans Who Resisted Racial Injustice from 1868 to Present, highlights the resilience and contributions of Black leaders throughout history.

From leading the MLK Hunger Bowl to fighting for food justice through Farm Fort Worth, from youth empowerment through the Youth Coffee Expo to honoring Black women trailblazers with the Texas 6888th Project, Pastor Tatum’s work embodies faith in action.

Why 76104 and 76105? Addressing a Life-Threatening Health Crisis

The 76104 ZIP code has the lowest life expectancy in Texas at just 67 years, an alarming contrast to the state average of 78 years. This 11-year gap is the result of decades of systemic health disparities, economic hardships, and racial inequities.

Residents in 76104 and 76105 experience:

Higher rates of chronic illnesses (diabetes, hypertension, heart disease)

Food deserts, limiting access to fresh, healthy food

Financial instability, preventing access to quality healthcare

Limited preventive care, leading to untreated illnesses

These challenges disproportionately impact Black and Brown communities, making urgent intervention necessary. That’s where Faith at the Plate: Health + Healing Hubs steps in, providing trusted health professionals, fresh food, wellness programs, and a strong support system to uplift the entire community.

A Lasting Impact: Transforming Lives Through Faith and Healing

Join the Movement: Your Health Starts Today

The journey to better health doesn’t have to be overwhelming, you don’t have to walk it alone. With the support of your community, local churches, and Faith at the Plate: Health + Healing Hubs, you have everything you need to take control of your health and well-being.

Get involved today! Visit your local Health + Healing Hub, connect with a Community Health Worker, or attend an upcoming wellness event at your neighborhood church.

Together, we are breaking barriers, building healthier futures, and proving that every life in 76104 and 76105 is worth fighting for.