Welcome To The

International Diabetes Education Association (I.D.E.A.)

Empowering Communities Across the USA and Diaspora to Take Control of Diabetes

Fighting Diabetes with Knowledge, Action & Community Support

At IDEA (International Diabetes Education Association), we don’t just educate we empower. Our mission is bold but simple: to reduce the impact of diabetes in the USA and across the global diaspora through practical tools, local engagement, and unwavering support. Whether you're managing diabetes, at risk, or caring for someone who is this is your hub for hope, health, and lifelong change.

🔍 Did You Know?

1 in 3 American adults has prediabetes—and 80% don’t know it.
Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S., and even higher among African and Caribbean communities.
A recent CDC study found lifestyle changes alone can reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 58%—and 71% for people over 60.
The economic cost of diabetes in the U.S. is over $327 billion annually.

These stats aren’t here to scare you. They’re here to remind you: this is preventable, manageable, and beatable. And we’re here to help every step of the way.

Learn About Us

What We Offer at IDEA

Our services aim to help individuals achieve emotional well-being and lead fulfilling lives.

🔍 Diabetes Awareness & Prevention

At IDEA, our community-based programs are designed to educate and empower individuals before diabetes becomes a crisis. We bring medically accurate, culturally relevant information to the places where people live, worship, work, and gather.

✅ Free blood sugar and prediabetes screening events

✅ In-person and virtual workshops tailored to African, Caribbean, and diaspora communities

✅ Easy-to-understand resources about early symptoms and lifestyle risks

✅ Educational talks hosted in schools, community centers, churches & more

✅ Events available in multiple languages and dialects for greater reach

✅ Collaboration with local leaders to boost participation and trust

We don’t wait for people to come to us we bring the tools, education, and encouragement directly to where they already are.

🥗 Nutrition & Healthy Living Workshops

We believe that food is both medicine and culture. Our hands-on nutrition workshops are designed to help individuals and families eat better without sacrificing flavor, tradition, or budget. No fad diets. No judgment. Just real, sustainable guidance that meets you where you are.

✅ Easy-to-follow nutrition education tailored to your cultural cuisine

✅ Cooking demos featuring diabetic-friendly versions of traditional dishes

✅ Tips on grocery shopping smart—even on a tight budget

✅ Label-reading strategies to avoid hidden sugars and bad carbs

✅ Meal prep plans for busy families and caregivers

✅ Support with portion control and mindful eating habits

We teach you how to enjoy your favorite foods in a healthier way—

so meals nourish your body and your soul.

🏃🏾‍♀️ Fitness & Lifestyle Coaching

You don’t need a gym to get healthy—just the right support and a plan that fits your life. Our certified fitness and wellness coaches help individuals and families get moving in ways that are realistic, enjoyable, and culturally appropriate.

✅ Personalized fitness plans for all ages and fitness levels

✅ Safe and sustainable weight loss strategies

✅ Blood sugar-friendly movement routines

✅ Flexible home-based or community-based workouts

✅ One-on-one and group coaching options available

Our mission is to help you feel stronger, healthier, and more energized

on your terms.

🧠 Diabetes Coping Support

Living with diabetes can be overwhelming emotionally and mentally. That’s why we integrate mental wellness into our approach, helping people manage stress, anxiety, and the emotional side of chronic illness.

✅ Stress-reduction techniques that improve blood sugar stability

✅ Culturally sensitive mental health workshops and resources

✅ Referrals to trusted therapists and counselors

✅ Support groups for individuals and caregivers

✅ Coaching on mindset, resilience, and motivation

When your mental health is supported, your physical health improves, too. At IDEA, we treat the whole person, not just the numbers.

🩺 Health Care Provider Support

We don’t just empower individuals—we support the professionals who
care for them. IDEA partners with doctors, nurses, and care providers to ensure diabetes care is culturally competent, patient-centered, and effective.

✅ Cultural competency training for clinical settings

✅ Workshops on improving patient communication

✅ Access to diabetes education tools and toolkits

✅ Support with community outreach and engagement

✅ Best practices in diabetes prevention and chronic care management

When healthcare teams understand the lived experiences of their patients,

care becomes connection and outcomes improve.

🚐 Community Outreach & Mobile Wellness Clinics

We bring health resources to the people where they live, work, and gather. Our mobile outreach programs make it easier for underserved and high-risk communities to access life-changing diabetes education and screenings without needing to travel.

✅ On-site diabetes screening events (blood sugar, blood pressure, BMI)

✅ Culturally tailored pop-up education sessions at churches, schools & events

✅ Wellness toolkits and brochures available in multiple languages

✅ Partnerships with local organizations, churches, and community leaders

✅ Referrals to primary care, mental health, and nutrition specialists

IDEA meets people where they are literally to close the gap between awareness and action.

Want to bring any of these services to your community, clinic, or organization?

We’re just a call or email away.

📞

Call Now:

240-475-2966

📧

Email:

[email protected]

Because

diabetes education isn’t a luxury it’s a lifeline.

Let’s bring it where it’s needed most.!

Book Appointment

Trusted Partners in Recovery

Our partner companies share our commitment to innovation, excellence, and patient well-being, allowing us to offer an even broader range of services and resources. Together, we help you achieve lasting recovery.

Our Process

🔁 Your 3-Step Path to a Healthier Life

Real Support. Real Change. Real Results.

Fighting diabetes isn't about crash diets or complicated rules it’s about consistent, supportive steps that build momentum over time. At IDEA, we’ve designed a simple yet powerful 3-step approach that’s helped countless individuals reclaim their health and take control of their future.

Whether you're at risk, newly diagnosed, or supporting a loved one, this is your roadmap to transformation.

01 Start with Awareness

You can’t change what you don’t understand.

Understanding your risk is the first and most powerful step toward preventing or managing diabetes. We make this step simple, accessible, and empowering through resources that speak directly to your experience.

✅ Free community health screenings (A1C, glucose, BMI, and more)

✅ Online risk assessment tools you can complete in minutes

✅ Educational workshops tailored to diverse cultural backgrounds

✅ Interactive webinars focused on lifestyle risk factors and early symptoms.

We translate complex medical information into real-life insight, so you can take action confidently not fearfully.

02 Build Your Wellness Plan

One-size-fits-all doesn’t fit anyone.

Once you understand where you stand, we help you build a personalized wellness plan that actually fits your life—not someone else’s idea of health.

✅ One-on-one wellness coaching customized to your needs

✅ Nutrition plans that honor your culture and food traditions

✅ Goal-setting that considers your schedule, budget, and resources

✅ Physical activity routines you can actually enjoy and stick with

✅ Guidance for families, caregivers, and multigenerational households

Your path forward should feel natural, not forced and that’s what we specialize in: practical plans built around YOU.

03 Stay Supported

The journey is easier when you’re not walking it alone.

This is where IDEA makes the biggest difference. We don’t just hand you a brochure and wish you luck we partner with you for the long haul.

✅ Ongoing check-ins with your IDEA wellness coach

✅ Cultural meal prep tips and grocery shopping guides

✅ Peer support groups within your community

✅ Coaching on stress management, mindset, and lifestyle balance

✅ Tools to handle setbacks, relapses, or motivation dips

We walk beside you at every stage celebrating wins, helping you adjust when needed, and making sure you’re never doing this alone.

Book Appointment

FAQ's

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is IDEA and what do you do?

IDEA (International Diabetes Education Association) is a nonprofit organization focused on diabetes prevention, education, and lifestyle support. We offer culturally tailored workshops, fitness coaching, nutrition guidance, and community outreach for individuals and families affected by or at risk for diabetes—both in the U.S. and across diaspora communities.

Who can benefit from your programs?

Anyone at risk for diabetes, currently living with it, or caring for someone who is can benefit from our services. We also support healthcare providers and community leaders looking to improve outreach and outcomes.

Are your services free?

Many of our programs especially community screenings, virtual workshops, and support groups—are offered free of charge or at low cost, thanks to generous partners and donors. We also offer custom programs for clinics, churches, and schools.

Do I need a referral from a doctor?

No referral is needed. You can contact us directly to book a session, join a workshop, or schedule a community event. We’re here to make access to diabetes education as easy as possible.

What makes IDEA different from other health organizations?

We specialize in culturally relevant support. Our workshops and programs are tailored to African-American, Caribbean, and Latinx communities—honoring traditional foods, languages, and beliefs—so the guidance we provide resonates and works in real life.

Can you help me create a meal plan for diabetes?

Yes! IDEA proudly works with diaspora communities in Africa, the Caribbean, and other global regions. We offer virtual programs, mobile clinics, and strategic partnerships to expand access to care.

Do you provide services outside the U.S.?

Yes! IDEA proudly works with diaspora communities in Africa, the Caribbean, and other global regions. We offer virtual programs, mobile clinics, and strategic partnerships to expand access to care.

What topics do your workshops cover?

Our workshops cover a wide range of topics, including:

✅ Diabetes prevention and early warning signs

✅ Nutrition and healthy cooking

✅ Fitness and physical activity

✅ Mental wellness and diabetes coping

✅ How to support a loved one with diabetes

Can you come to our school, church, or event?

Yes! We frequently partner with schools, churches, businesses, and community centers to host health fairs, speak at events, or offer on-site wellness services. Contact us to set something up!

How do I get started?

It’s simple just give us a call at 240-475-2966 or email us at [email protected]. Whether you’re looking for personal coaching, a group workshop, or a community partnership, we’ll help you find the best way to get involved.