Bring the family!

Join the Chicago Urban League this Black History Month for a FREE wellness event that will benefit the whole family.

Get free screenings for hypertension and diabetes, vaccinations for flu and COVID, mental health resources, healthy cooking demos and tips, workout demonstrations, and presentations on a range of health issues that affect Black communities. Hear directly from healthcare experts who understand our community.

You’ll have a chance to win FABULOUS PRIZES, including air fryers, Nutribullets, fitness watches, bicyles for kids/teens, gift cards, our signature Black Wellness baskets, and more. Plus, we will have music and free refreshments!

Here’s the schedule!

Check it out and plan accordingly.

10 a.m.

Event Start Time. Vendor tables open. Health screenings available.

10:15 a.m.

Healthy Cooking demos and samples at 10:15, 11:30, and 12:15

10:15 a.m.

Aerobic workout sessions (20-minute sessions beginning at 10:15, 10:45,

and 11:20)  Come dressed to workout. 

10:30 a.m.

Panel Discussion 1: Lessening Health Disparities in the Black Community

MODERATOR

Tristé Smith, MD, JD

Chief Executive Officer at Near North Health

PANELISTS

Sharon Robinson, MD, MBA

Medical Director, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of IL 

 Shaan Trotter, DrPH

Chief Health Equity Officer, Aetna Better Health

11:20 a.m.

Raffle Drawings

11:30 a.m.

Panel Discussion 2: Minding the Mental Health of Our Youth

Awareness of mental health concerns for youth and adults is higher than ever, and many people are increasingly comfortable talking about their experiences with mental health on social media and elsewhere. For instance, Chicago Public Schools now allow all students 5 mental health days a year as excused absences. Still, many parents do not know just how to determine whether their children are experiencing anxiety, trauma, or other issues, and they may not know where to turn for help – for their children or themselves. This discussion will seek to provide information on how to recognize signs and symptoms of mental illness, how to deal with mental health stigma, and how parents can best help their children.

MODERATOR

Dionysius Hall

Managing Director, Youth & Family Services, Chicago Urban League

PANELISTS

Dr. Arielle Smith, MSW, DSW, LCSW

Owner and Principal Psychotherapist, Eunoia Wellness Boutique, PLLC

Angela Hamilton, MSW, LCSW

Vice President of Youth & Family Services, Chicago Urban League

Dr. Janelle R. Goodwill, PhD, MSW, MS

Neubauer Family Assistant Professor, University of Chicago

12:10 p.m.

Yoga with sound healing (20 minutes beginning at 12:10, 12:45,and 1:15). If you ever wanted to learn yoga, don’t miss this! Yoga mats (and sanitizing wipes!) will be provided, but feel free to bring your own.

12:15 p.m.

Raffle Drawings

12:30 p.m.

Panel Discussion 3: Why Should Black People Participate in Clinical Trials?

Clinical trials are important for testing new treatments for diseases and medical issues and understanding how different individuals may respond to medical, surgical, or behavioral interventions. However, African Americans and Latinos tend to participate in clinical trials in numbers that are too low to adequately assess whether new treatments are safe and effective across all racial and ethnic groups. Research from the Pew Research Center in 2022 and 2021 indicates that concerns about past mistreatment in medical research are a factor in this low participation.

MODERATOR

Karen Freeman-Wilson

President & CEO, Chicago Urban League

PANELISTS

Dr. Abiola Ibraheem

Division of Hematology & Oncology at UI Health

Jeanette Carter

Two-time breast cancer survivor; University of Illinois Cancer Center Patient Partner

Jerome Wiser

Prostate Cancer Survivor

1:45 p.m.

Final Raffle Drawings and Closing Remarks

2:00 p.m.

Black Wellness Fair Ends

Confirmed Vendors and Resources: