The Wake Up Show Chicago Shines Spotlight on SIMPCO Solutions and Black Health Equity
- LaDonna Raeh
- May 2
- 3 min read
On the latest episode of The Wake Up Show Chicago, co-hosted by LaDonna Raeh of Raeh Consulting and ILBCC CEO & Chairman Larry Ivory, listeners were treated to a powerful conversation about Black health, business, and the transformational role of SIMPCO Solutions. This episode featured none other than Dr. Jeffrey Sterling — physician, public health expert, entrepreneur, and founder of SIMPCO — whose work is shaking up the healthcare industry and shifting the conversation from “sick care” to preventive care.
Why This Matters
Illinois is on the front lines of a national conversation about healthcare, economics, and equity. With the U.S. spending over $4.8 trillion a year on healthcare — more than any other country — the question becomes: Where are Black businesses in that equation?
As Dr. Sterling pointed out, while over $2 billion is spent on healthcare in Illinois alone, only about $100 million of that reaches Black businesses. This is not just a healthcare gap — it’s an economic chasm. That’s where the SIMPCO Solution steps in.
What is the SIMPCO Solution?
SIMPCO (Sterling Initiatives Managed Preventive Care Organization) is a first-of-its-kind managed preventive care organization. Rather than treating illness after it appears, SIMPCO builds massive community health centers that focus on:
• Nutrition and health education
• Mental health and stress management
• Physical activity and fitness
• Social determinants like housing, job placement, and literacy
Dr. Sterling summed it up best: “We’re teaching people how to be better stewards of their own health. Stay ready, so you don’t have to get ready.”
How Does This Connect to Black Business?
Dr. Sterling and Chairman Larry Ivory made one thing clear: This is not charity — this is business. From janitorial services to food providers, public relations, tech, construction, and beyond, SIMPCO is engaging over 100 Black-owned businesses to support its preventive care infrastructure.
Larry Ivory emphasized the win-win:
“This just makes good business sense. It helps hundreds of Black businesses scale up and grow, while improving public health and saving taxpayer dollars.”
Global Experience, Local Impact
Dr. Sterling’s resume includes leading healthcare systems in Japan, Indonesia, and across Africa. But his vision for Illinois is bold: Make this state a national model for preventive health.
In fact, the SIMPCO Solution has already been included in the Illinois state budget for the past three years — thanks to support from the Legislative Black Caucus and ILBCC’s ongoing advocacy.
What Can You Do?
If you’re a Black business owner:
Don’t wait. There’s a seat at the table. From health services to facilities management and communications, your business may be a perfect fit. Email us at info@ilbcc.org to find out how to get involved.
If you’re a concerned citizen or community leader:
Support health equity by advocating for programs like SIMPCO and spreading the word.
If you’re not yet a member of ILBCC:
Membership connects you with critical contract opportunities, legislation updates, and powerful partnerships like the one we’ve forged with Dr. Sterling and SIMPCO.
Final Thoughts
Dr. Sterling closed with this reminder:
“This isn’t just business. This is survival. If you want more happy days in your life, you better bring some health into your life — and into your community.”
Let’s be the generation that reclaims our health and our economic power — together.
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