INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Black-owned barbershops are a safe haven for men to talk about everything from sports, life, and anything else on their minds.

But Trevor Graham, owner of In The Cut Barber Salon in Inglewood, realized there was one topic even he didn’t view as important to check in on — at first.

"I had not too much of a positive attitude about visiting a doctor, what have you. But, in terms of my health, I tried to maintain. I was more proactive than reactive," Graham said.

At the time, Graham would do his part in eating a healthy diet and staying active to maintain his own health. He would often avoid seeing a doctor until he had too.

"I didn’t feel as if that doctor could relate," he said. "I didn’t feel as if another person that was not African American could, whether it be understanding the diet, the lifestyle, the stress, the anxiety that comes with people of our culture. They can’t necessarily treat us with more compassion."

According to a Kaiser Family Foundation and The Undefeated Survey on Race and Health, about seven in 10 Black adults believe race-based discrimination happens often, with one in five reporting to have experienced it firsthand.

Graham’s health journey changed when he learned he was diabetic after an accidental finding at the dentist. That’s when he began to take health screenings and checkups more seriously — by seeing mostly Black doctors.

Dr. Bill Releford, a podiatrist and lead developer of the Black Doctor 24/7 app, is hoping telemedicine with a network of about 20 doctors will help Black men nationwide feel more comfortable about seeking preventative care from home.

"With this particular application, we’re able to at least address one of the barriers to health care, and that’s called providers," said Dr. Releford. "Many studies have shown that have actually documented the fact that African Americans do get better care when they are treated by an African American health care provider."

After learning about his own health, Graham began reminding men in his shop to share their own health victories by ringing a gold bell near the doorway of his barber shop.

"Guys will come in ring the bell like, 'Hey man, my second chemo,' or 'I got good numbers on my cholesterol count,' or whatever else," said Graham. "We made it a celebration. More so, once we made it more of a celebration, you come to a place where it’s a safe haven for African American men. They felt more comfortable in sharing it."

While Graham continues to take strides in his own health, he’s hoping more men in this community will be open to checking up on their own health journey.

Black Doctor 24/7 is available for download in the Apple and Google App stores.