Da Hood Talks Podcast takes the mic beyond the recording room with our community conversations at Da Link Up by Da Hood Connect, centering a timely and necessary dialogue on The Link Between Housing & Health.

This episode explores how housing stability directly impacts physical, mental, and community health—highlighting the lived realities, systemic challenges, and collaborative solutions needed to move our communities forward. Recorded live in Saint Louis, the conversation brought together representatives from four local organizations committed to advancing housing justice, health equity, and community-centered solutions.

Special Guests & Panelists:

🌟 Marcel Hagens – A policy and campaign strategist at the forefront of housing justice, wage equity, and community empowerment movements, advocating for structural change and people-powered solutions.

🌟 Calencia Mitchell – A leader in Community Health Improvement at BJC Health System, Calencia brings a deep commitment to health equity and cross-sector collaboration to address the social determinants of health.

🌟 Mr. Q – Representing Youth In Need (YIN Street Outreach), Mr. Q shared insights on supporting young people up to age 24 facing housing instability, food insecurity, and crisis through outreach, emergency shelter, counseling, and case management.

🌟 Teka Childress – With over 47 years of advocacy for unhoused individuals, Teka is a relentless champion for affordable, just, and equitable housing solutions in Saint Louis.

Together, this conversation underscores a critical truth: housing is health. From policy to practice, this episode challenges listeners to think deeper about how we care for our communities and the systems that shape our well-being.

🎧 Tap in for a real, informative, and solutions-focused conversation—because community takes center stage.