CARBONDALE, Ill. — Charles D. Neblett, SIU Carbondale alum and civil rights icon, is honored with a new nationwide healthcare initiative born out of his experience as a young SIU Carbondale freshman in 1959, where he led nonviolent protests against campus housing segregation and Delyte W. Morris, the University’s then-chancellor, listened to him.
Neblett passes down his legacy to the next generation of leaders as he battles Stage 4 prostate cancer. College students are encouraged to learn about issues surrounding inequities, including health disparities, through the new initiative #blackprostatecancer check challenge, started by the Nebletts. Through September’s Prostate Awareness Month, the challenge encourages young people to lead healthy lives and create healthy environments.
“I have seen a consistent struggle to get people to talk about the daily disparities that Black men face openly,” said Charles D. Neblett, PhD. age 83. “I’ve challenged my children to grow into adulthood and to speak their truths courageously.” According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 4 Black men have prostate cancer, as opposed to 1 in 8 white men. Twice as many Black men die than their white counterparts who typically have better access to cancer treatments. Meanwhile, recent studies by Tuskegee University and Cedar’s Sinai show Black men are now diagnosed at an alarmingly later stage of prostate cancer than white men, and Black men are continuously left out of most cancer clinical studies as compared to their white counterparts.
Neblett came to SIU in 1959 and immediately recognized the injustice of segregated campus housing. However, after several protests, Delyte W. Morris became a white ally, later a catalyst to Neblett’s hope and confidence to leave the campus and bring similar change to the nation. Nebeltt used his voice to join the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in 1961. He used his baritone voice as a charter member of “The Freedom Singers,” which traveled across 40 states as the group sang at protests, marches, picket lines, Carnegie Hall, Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals, churches, and inside jail cells. Neblett joined Martin Luther King, Jr. during the historic 1963 March on Washington, leading the marchers in their anthem songs at the close of King’s famous speech.
“What we learn in our formidable years of school helps prepare us for life,” said Neblett’s son, Kamero, an NYC Department of Education principal. “My father’s experience at SIU Carbondale taught me the importance of working within educational systems to help prepare students to make lifelong contributions to society.”
Neblett was later honored at the White House by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for his significant mark in history at the forefront of the civil rights movement, unifying the country alongside other icons like former Congressman John Lewis at the Selma March on Edmund Pettus Bridge, NAACP’s Julian Bond. The Freedom Singers rearranged old Negro spirituals like “We Shall Overcome” “Oh Freedom,”and “We Shall Not Be Moved,” crossing over into mainstream movement songs, catapulting the grassroots movement forward into the masses with famous musicians like Harry Belafonte, Bob Dylan, and Miles Davis. In May 2019, Charles Neblett received an honorary doctor of humane letters from SIU Carbondale for his work as a civil rights leader. His music inspired many generations to come, and his legacy remains alive.
“It is a great injustice that Black men in the United States are disproportionately affected by prostate cancer and experience racial disparities in all aspects of the disease,” said Kwesi Neblett, a National Guard. “Racial disparities seen within prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes are multifaceted and evolve from institutional health inequities.” The #blackprostatecancer check challenge aims to change the narrative by encouraging people to open up on social media to talk about the barriers and offer solutions for Black men getting health care. The challenge also raises awareness of the alumnus’ 5013c Give-A-Hand fundraiser, honoring their father’s name to help fight his cancer.
Black men today disproportionately have inadequate medical care, health, and life insurance, as well as significantly less access to health centers of excellence. “I was devastated when I heard my father was facing the latest stage of prostate cancer and even more surprised how difficult it is for cancer patients to navigate coverage that is just not there for them,” said daughter Kesi Neblett, a software developer. The average cost of the first year of treatment of Stage IV prostate cancer is $92,344 in the first year, according to the American Cancer Society.
Charles D. Neblett is the founder and president of 501 3c Community Projects, Inc., along with his wife, Marvinia Benton Neblett. Married for over 50 years, the couple has six children: Wafeeq, Nadirah, Khary, Kwesi, Kamero Amani, and Kesi, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.