The Black Long Covid Experience
Empowering Black Americans
Affected with Long Covid.
New Discussion Series Coming in July 2025.
‘What I Wish White People Knew about My Life as a Black Disabled Activist’
Moderator, Long Covid activist, and founder of the Black Long Covid Experience, LLC, Chimére L. Sweeney, will use virtual media to lead two to three live sessions that welcome collaboration and engagement with Black disabled activists and/or people – through thoughtful, witty, honest discussion. From their unique vantage points, these sessions will address white activists, chronic illness organizational leaders, and those who have the privilege and capital to lead advocacy events and other structures, to critically examine the effects of racism, separatism, and other forms of exclusion that potentially hinder the overall goal of disability justice and promote discrimination.
How Much Do You Love Pickles?!
A Message from Me, the Founder of BLCE!
I love extra pickles on every sandwich. And I love Beth, my wonderful and host of A Friend for the Long Haul Podcast. If you know Beth, you know she is so sweet and kind. You also know that she’s one of the most creative people in the Long Covid advocacy space.
She recently announced a fundraiser that features the shirts and other merchandise below. With the proceeds, she plans to continue producing her podcast and will give half to the Black Long Covid Experience, so that I can continue creating inclusive spaces for Black Long Covid communities who are disabled and need support.
So please, buy a t-shirt or bag. This is an incredible way to support the disability and chronically ill communities. Because as I always say, “When we help the least of them, we help the rest of them!
And catch my husband, Tory, and I on the A Friend for the Long Haul
Photo Credit: A Friend for the Long Haul via Bonfire, 2025.
This photo is of a black t-shirt that reads, “Killed by Eating Pickles | Girl Devoured Scores of Big, Fat Ones Daily and Finally Succumbed.
Shirts, tanks, and tote bags are now available in white, black, and heather gray! For every item you purchase, some proceeds will support BLCE’s mission to educate, inspire, and motivate Black disabled people with Long Covid to fight for equitable treatment and symptom management!
Grief Can Affect Your Bout with Long Covid.
How, BLCE?
It has already been proven that Long Covid can cause severe mental health and psychological issues including depression, anxiety, sleeplessness, fatigue, PTSD, panic attacks and more.
But experiencing the failing health and/or death of a loved one can also exacerbate these and other symptoms.
Read BLCE Founder, Chimére L. Sweeney’s first-hand account of this in her recent Substack post:
What Tamara Said, as she shares the loss of her Auntie Dee.
Acknowledgment of the Passing of
Decarol Smith
Thank you for your outpouring of love and care in the loss of my precious Auntie Dee.
For two years, she bravely fought stage four uterine cancer. I’ve never seen a more dedicated soldier in the cancer fight than her.
Sadly, about eight weeks ago, she began to decline. She slept a lot, lost her fine motor skills, and barely talked.
The last time I saw Auntie Dee, she slept the entire time. I could tell she knew I was there because her body jumped at the sound of my voice. My world feels smaller and emptier without her on the Earth. She was an Aunt’s Aunt: cool as hell, smart, loving, and kind. Every single one os us deserves an Aunt Decarol.
Thank you again. Please continue to screen regularly to detect cancer or any chronic illnesses early. Keep my family in your prayers and loving thoughts.
Love, Chimére
A Great Look: NBC NEWS NOW
Showcased the
Black Long Covid Experience!
Long Covid…
FIVE YEARS LATER.
Watch
Chimére on
NBC News NOW on Hallie Jackson NOW.
March 10-15, 2025
Long Covid Awareness Week!
Photo Credit: International Long Covid Awareness, Hazie Thompson, 2025.
This photo says, “Millions suffering infections and reinfections. No mitigations. No cure.
Cure Long Covid NOW” with depictions of medication, medical needles, and other paraphenalia. The background has a yellow electric symbol and features the designated Long Covid color, teal.
BLCE Thanks
Long Covid Awareness International for Acknowledging Every Long Covid Community this Week!
Please check at the wonderful activities and commemorations this week.
Photo Courtesy: miodrag ignjatovic, 2025
A health professional is filling out paperwork for a patient with red nails who is submitting a health insurance card.
Call Your City Council, Congressional, and Senate Leaders to Ask Them to Consider What Will Happen if You are Unable to Access Healthcare and/or Disability Benefits.
Happy Black History Month!
We Celebrate and Honor Black Communities with Long Covid.
The Black Long Covid Community is Black History!
Join BLCE from
Monday, February 10 through Monday, February 24
as we honor and observe
Black History Month, the annual celebration of Black culture, achievement, and community.
There will be 10 days of activities. Please feel free to share these with your social media networks.
Instructions are here.
Impulsive, Uncontrollable Outbursts are REAL!
Long Covid causes brain damage or #neurospicy behavior that may be similar to having a stroke or a traumatic brain injury (TBI). It may change the composition of the brain.
When this happens, we can experience impulsive, uncontrollable emotional and verbal outbursts.
While neurospicy is a trendy name and label, it is so important that Black people with Long Covid seek mental health support from a professional who treats patients with brain damage and psychological issues due to a viral condition, like Long Covid.
Photo Courtesy: Chimére L. Sweeney, 2024
Chimére, Director of The Black Long Covid Experience, shares examples of her neurospicy brain damage from her Covid-19 infection in March 2020 that causes her verbal outbursts
She is a Black woman with a faded short haircut with a dark pink tank top and brown-rimmed glasses.
Introducing Long Covid Posties —
Postcards to Send to Your Long Covid Tribe!
“This is our national truth: America would not be America without the wealth from Black labor, without Black striving, Black ingenuity, Black resistance.”
Photo Courtesy: LaylaBird, 2020
A Black woman with a white sweater and a black and orange head wrap. She is smiling with her hands clasp together to signal joy or happiness in front of a laptop .
It’s About Time!
Welcome to The Black Long Covid Experience (or BLCE): a trusted space offering Long Covid information, resources, and support for you and your loved ones.
We are also a compassionate consulting business dedicated to educating the public on the implications of Black Americans with Long Covid and empowering Black communities to advocate for consistent health outcomes.
Photo Courtesy: Washington Post Live, 2024
Chimére is a Black woman wearing a black face mask, denim light blue dress with a gold necklace and short haircut, sitting in the middle between another Black woman and Latina woman.
Trusted. Consistent. Competent.
As a disabled activist and Director of The Black Long Covid Experience, Chimére L. Sweeney draws from her own journey with Long Covid, advocating for equitable medical care and policy change. As a retired Maryland teacher, she deeply connects with Black urban communities and understands their distinct health needs.
Photo Courtesy of Niphon, 2021
Description: a white Long Covid sign with the
light teal Covid-19 graphic and an iridescent background.
Comprehensive Education that Will Help Define Long Covid for Black Communities.
We believe the first step to receiving comprehensive Long Covid care is collaborating to help you define the condition for yourself —and share that understanding with those you care about. Once you grasp how it affects you, you'll be empowered to advocate for and access the right medical care.
Photo Courtesy, SDI Productions, 2020
A masked Black adult male aids a Black young boy in putting on his mask.
Support for Communities.
Long Covid can be frustrating and lonely. At BLCE, we are committed to planning virtual events that are inclusive, educational, and honor your experiences and time. Our goal is to provide pathways to friendships, income, and comprehensive medical care
We Would Love to Hear from You!
Say hello. Or book us for a service or educational course.
We’re here for you.
Please allow 24-48 hours to receive a response.
