Flare Fighters

Flare Fighters Intersecting autoimmune wellness, art, & empowerment

In recognition of Lupus Awareness Month, Flare Fighters Fest presents a special evening with author and filmmaker Bridge...
05/19/2025

In recognition of Lupus Awareness Month, Flare Fighters Fest presents a special evening with author and filmmaker Bridgett M. Davis, as she reads from her newly released book Love, Rita, a tribute to her sister whose life was cut short by Lupus. The book explores their sisterhood, familial dynamics, and the impact of systemic racism on Black women’s health — both physical and mental. Bridgett will also lead a reflective writing workshop following the reading.

All are welcome to attend.

This event has a $5 suggested donation ticket, however, entry is complimentary with registration at bit.ly/FlareDavis

🗓️ Thursday, May 29, 2025

📍 Recirculation, a project of Word Up Community Bookshop, is located at 876 Riverside Drive (near 160th St.) in Washington Heights, NYC.

Bridgett M. Davis (pronounced Brih-jet) is the author of the memoir, Love, Rita, published by Harper Books in spring 2025. Her first memoir, The World According To Fannie Davis: My Mother’s Life In The Detroit Numbers, was a New York Times Editors’ Choice and a Best Book of 2019 by Kirkus Reviews, BuzzFeed, NBC News and Parade Magazine, and featured as a clue on the quiz show Jeopardy! The upcoming film adaptation will be produced by Plan B Entertainment and released by Searchlight Pictures. She is the author of two novels, Into the Go-Slow, named a Best Book of 2014 by The San Francisco Chronicle, and Shifting Through Neutral, shortlisted for the Zora Neale Hurston/Richard Wright Legacy Award. Davis is Professor Emerita in the Department of Journalism and the Writing Professions at Baruch College and the CUNY Graduate Center, where she taught creative, narrative and film writing. Her essays have appeared most recently in The New York Times, the LA Times, and The Washington Post, among other publications. A graduate of Spelman College and Columbia Journalism School, she lives in Brooklyn with her family.

We are looking forward to fresh air and 2 miles of solidarity with our Lupus family in New York City! Flare Fighters is ...
10/05/2024

We are looking forward to fresh air and 2 miles of solidarity with our Lupus family in New York City! Flare Fighters is ready for Lupus Foundation of America’s “Walk to End Lupus Now” tomorrow (10/5) — Let’s enjoy every step with purpose and continue toward a future that includes a cure for Lupus 💜🦋🌼🚶🏿‍♀️👩🏿‍🦽🏃🏽‍♀️👩🏻‍🦯 🦶🏿🦶🏾

Meet us at the starting line: https://support.lupus.org/site/TR/WTELN/General?pg=entry&fr_id=2036

With Crohn's and Colitis Awareness – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉
09/15/2024

With Crohn's and Colitis Awareness – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

09/13/2024

Meet Brandy Cochrane, the founder of Plant Candy! Plant Candy’s mission is to plant the seed that a plant-based lifestyle is a journey that is possible, flavorful, and enjoyable. Plant Candy promotes celebrating vegetables, exploring textures and flavor profiles, and eating to live while enjoying each meal. 🥕 🍅 👩‍🍳

Don’t miss Brandy and Plant Candy at Flare Fighters Fest on 9/14 💜 Yes, that’s TOMORROW!

Flare Fighters Fest is free, accessible, and open to all— however, RSVP is required 💟 💟 💟

Register: bit.ly/flarefest24

09/10/2024

Meet Ghylian Bell, the force behind Urban Yoga Foundation (UYF)! As the founder, her organization has touched over 600,000 lives—and now, she’s bringing restorative chair yoga to YOU at Flare Fighters Fest 💫🧘‍♀️✨

UYF promotes healthy social, emotional, physical, and academic development through customized programs that meet the unique needs of children, schools, educators, organizations, corporations, and individuals. Since 2007, UYF has served people across the globe by designing programs that provide mindful and integrative wellness tools and strategies to manage stress, develop mind-body awareness, foster personal growth, and raise health consciousness.

Don’t miss Ghylian and UYF at Flare Fighters Fest on 9/14 💜 Yes, that’s THIS Saturday!

Flare Fighters Fest is free, accessible, and open to all— however, RSVP is required 💟 💟 💟

Register: bit.ly/flarefest24

09/10/2024

ATTN FLARE FIGHTERS! 💟 💥

We are honored to introduce our vibrant art instructor for the event, Wilhelmina Grant-Cooper! 🎨

Based in Harlem, Wilhelmina is a visual artist, art instructor, and author. Her art journey is one of resilience and beauty. As a self-taught artist, she repurposes everyday objects into stunning projects. Her artistic undertakings have included assignments such as artist-in-residence at The Ralph Lauren Cancer Center and Creative Center at University Settlement, wherein she used the arts to nurture the creativity of cancer patients, their families, and staff. She also guides elder participants through art activities at senior centers in Washington Heights, Upper East Side, and throughout Brooklyn.

Wilhelmina is the founder of SISTAAH, Inc. (Survivors Inspiring Sisters Through Art and Advocacy for Health), an arts-based non-profit organization that seeks to inform, encourage, and facilitate access to early detection of breast cancer by connecting the medically underserved to free screening services. Using SISTAAH, Inc. as a platform, Wilhelmina has launched numerous successful grant-funded community art projects: Saving Our Sisters in the African American Community, the Harlem Hand Fan Initiative, and O.Y.E. Open Your Eyes Community Art/Health Awareness Project.

Don’t miss her on 9/14 💜 Yes, that’s THIS SATURDAY!

Flare Fighters Fest is free, accessible, and open to all— however, RSVP is required 💟

Register: bit.ly/flarefest24

09/09/2024

🦋 Whether it’s Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Crohn’s Disease, IBD, IBS, Endometriosis, or many others, if you're navigating life with an autoimmune condition—or supporting someone who is—you are a Flare Fighter 💟

Join us on 9/14 on the Lower East Side for an empowering afternoon complete with an inspiring keynote, engaging panel discussion, and activities centered around wellness and autoimmune health.

Flare Fighters Fest is free, accessible, and open to all— however, RSVP is required 💟

Register: bit.ly/flarefest24

09/06/2024

💟 ✨ The incredible is joining us at ! 🎶 ✨ A Lupus Warrior and true creative force, Shanelle’s powerful work sheds light on her journey while spreading hope and awareness. A very special shoutout to this amazing artist and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 💗💚 for her resilience and artistry!

Shanelle Gabriel is a touring poet, singer, education consultant, and Lupus warrior from Brooklyn, NY. She has shared her talent on countless global stages (from Lincoln Center to the Vatican to HBO's Def Poetry Jam) and has crafted artistic messaging for companies including Pandora, NFL Draft, and Hershey.

Diagnosed with Lupus in 2004, Shanelle has performed at numerous walks for Lupus, spoken alongside the President of the NIH, lobbied for patient rights on Capitol Hill, featured in USA Today on the importance of diversity in clinical trials, and was highlighted in Women’s Health Magazine. She is a member of the Lupus Voices Council (the patient advisory board of the Lupus Accelerating Breakthroughs Consortium) and has lectured at hospitals and biopharma companies on patient engagement and diversity in healthcare.

Shanelle also holds a Masters in Education with a focus on Education Leadership from Columbia University Teachers College, serves as an education consultant and curriculum specialist, and is the mother to three music and poetry-centered albums, which are available on all streaming platforms.

Don’t miss her on 9/14 💜 Flare Fighters Fest is free, accessible, and open to all— however, RSVP is required 💟 💟 💟

Register: bit.ly/flarefest24

09/05/2024

💟 🎤 We are thrilled to announce our final panelist, Genny Mack, for the “Warrior Women: Living Fully with Lupus” conversation! Genny is a Holistic Nutritionist, Autoimmune Nutrition Specialist, Chef, Public Speaker, Fitness Coach, and Lupus Warrior. Her unique blend of experiences empowers lupus warriors to live a life of abundance. After a 12-year career as a Certified Public Accountant with global banks, Genny shifted her focus to lupus advocacy, driven by a passion to share her reality and inspire balance and fulfillment through diet and lifestyle.

As a respected voice in the lupus community, Genny has collaborated with esteemed organizations like the Lupus Research Alliance, Lupus Foundation of America, and Lupus LA. Her expertise has been featured in prominent publications such as Well + Good, WebMD, and mindbodygreen. With a mission to help 1 million autoimmune warriors reclaim vitality through whole food holistic healing by 2025, Genny is a true champion for holistic wellness.

Follow Genny for all things related to holistic wellness and inspiration!

Don’t miss her on 9/14 💜 Flare Fighters Fest is free, accessible, and open to all— however, RSVP is required 💟 💟 💟

Register: bit.ly/flarefest24

Over 80 autoimmune conditions, one community of Flare Fighters 💟 💪💥 A “flare” or “flare-up”💥 refers to a sudden or gradu...
09/04/2024

Over 80 autoimmune conditions, one community of Flare Fighters 💟 💪

💥 A “flare” or “flare-up”💥 refers to a sudden or gradual worsening of symptoms, unique to each individual but always unpleasant. For instance, Lupus flares might include mouth sores, rashes, and extreme fatigue, while IBS flares can bring stomach pain, nausea, and exhaustion. Stress can trigger these flares, but practicing mindfulness and proactive self-care can help manage these episodes.

Anyone who’s dealt with a flare can relate—everyone wants their body to be a ‘no flare zone!’

Are you a Flare Fighter?
Lupus, IBS/IBD, Crohn’s Disease, Alopecia, Endometriosis, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and many others are considered to be autoimmune conditions.

Whether you live with an autoimmune condition/chronic illness, support someone who does, or champion overall wellness, you are part of the Flare Fighters community!

Join us on 9/14 on the Lower East Side for Flare Fighters Fest—a free, accessible event dedicated to autoimmune health and empowerment. RSVP is required 💟 💟 💟

Register: bit.ly/flarefest24

09/04/2024

✨ We are proud to welcome Olga Lucia Torres, JD, MS ✨ , a distinguished first-generation Latina attorney and Lupus Warrior, to our ‘Warrior Women: Living Fully with Lupus’ conversation at Flare Fighters Fest. Her career spans founding Bronx Defenders, teaching Narrative Medicine at Columbia University, and leading Lupus and accessibility advocacy efforts. Olga Lucia Torres

Olga’s work has been published with the New York Times, Next Avenue, Columbia University, and various other publications related to health care, disability rights, and BIPOC issues. She earned her B.A. from Cornell University, J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center, and M.S. from Columbia University.

Don’t miss her at Flare Fighters Fest on 9/14 at 1 PM EST 💜

Flare Fighters Fest is free, accessible, and open to all— however, RSVP is required 💟 💟 💟

Register: bit.ly/flarefest24

09/03/2024

Hear from women who embody strength, grace, and resilience at our "Warrior Women: Living Fully With Lupus" panel discussion. Their stories of triumph over chronic illness will leave you inspired and motivated to keep Flare Fighting.

Moderated by Flare Fighters founder Jinelle Thompson, the panel will feature Genail McKinley, Olga Lucia Torres, and Council Member Shahana Hanif. These incredible women are Flare Fighters who understand the physical and mental challenges of managing an autoimmune condition.

This dynamic panel is one you don’t want to miss 💜 Stay tuned for more panelist highlights and detailed information on Flare Fighters Fest!

Jinelle Thompson, the founder of Flare Fighters, is a museum professional and artist in NYC. Her journey with Flare Fighters began after a year of severe symptom flares and a delayed Lupus diagnosis in 2022. Determined to prioritize her wellness, she turned to art, healthy nutrition, and connecting with others to empower Lupus Warriors and those with other autoimmune conditions.

Genail McKinley is a holistic nutritionist, autoimmune nutrition specialist, chef, public speaker, fitness coach, and Lupus Warrior. After a 12-year career as a Certified Public Accountant with global banks, Genny shifted her focus to lupus advocacy, driven by a passion to share her reality and inspire balance and fulfillment through diet and lifestyle.

Olga is an educator, board member, attorney, and patient advocate, and Lupus Warrior. She currently lectures within the Narrative Medicine program at Columbia University and has previously taught Narrative Medicine at the CUNY School of Medicine. Olga is also one of the eight founding attorneys of the Bronx Defenders.

Council Member Shahana Hanif represents NYC’s 39th Council District and has been a fearless community advocate. Diagnosed with Lupus at 17, her experiences navigating the healthcare system and City services inspired her commitment to public service. Notably, she led the passage of a resolution designating May as Lupus Awareness Month in NYC.

Register at: www.bit.ly.com/flarefest24

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