What We Need to Know: Midterms, Health Deadlines, and HBCU Homecoming

Midterms, breast cancer screenings, open enrollment, HBCU homecoming and year-end money moves: Sybil Wilkes on what Black families need to know now.
Sybil Wilkes is back with What We Need To Know, from the high-stakes midterm elections and life-saving breast cancer awareness updates, to approaching health coverage deadlines, HBCU homecoming season, and practical steps toward building household wealth before the holidays.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the numbers remain sobering for Black women. Black women are about 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women, despite similar rates of diagnosis. They are also more likely to be diagnosed younger and with more aggressive forms of the disease. Health advocates stress the importance of regular screenings, knowing your family history, and speaking up when something feels wrong. Early detection remains one of the strongest tools for saving lives.
Open enrollment season is close. Medicare open enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7, giving seniors a chance to review and change their plans. Open enrollment for Affordable Care Act marketplace coverage begins November 1. Families are urged to compare plans carefully, since costs, covered prescriptions, and provider networks can change from year to year. Help is available through community health centers and certified navigators at no cost.

Fall marks homecoming season at Historically Black Colleges and Universities nationwide. These celebrations draw tens of thousands of alumni and visitors, bringing major economic activity to host cities and Black-owned businesses. Beyond the parades, tailgates, and step shows, homecoming is also a key time for alumni giving, which helps fund scholarships and strengthen institutions that have long been underfunded.
As the year’s final quarter begins, financial experts recommend that families review budgets, savings goals, and debt plans before the holiday season. Supporting Black-owned businesses during holiday shopping remains one way to keep dollars circulating within the community.
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