The Colorado Black Health Collaborative’s (CBHC) Flowing in Black Love Forum was a wonderful event. It was held February 25th, 2017 and focused on self-care and the importance thereof for the Black community.
The event featured exhibitors, wellness speakers, Black love movie video collage, Black history facts, thriving with Pilates activity, and information on CBHC activities.
Thelma Craig, CBHC Board Chair, welcomed Forum attendees, shared the purpose for the Forum and the flow of the day’s event. Participants were reminded of the meaning of F.L.O.W, Forming a Lifetime of Optimal Wellness!
The Forum got flowing when participants viewed a collage of Black Love movie clips —Jason’s Lyric, Nothing But a Man, Malcolm X, What’s Love Got to Do With it? And, Soul Food. Adrianna Hervey facilitated a discussion about the various expressions of Love demonstrated in these movies. Watch/Re-watch these movies and send us your thoughts (@ www.ColoradoBlackHealth.org under the Contact Us tab), about the expressions of Black Love that impact you.
Nathifa Miller share
d why it is essential for self-care and self-love so that we can care for others. The community was encouraged to connect with the various resources that are available for self -care. Nathifa introduced the exhibitors for the Forum, which included:
- Essential Oils (Ms. Owetta McNeil)
- Self-Care Counseling and Support Groups with Transcendent Counseling (Jasmine Crane)
- Nutrition with Tirzah (Tirzah Washington)
- Denver Wellness Center (Dr. Kelvin Washington)
- Black Skin Care – From The Nile (Nyle Boyd)
- Tai Chi and Qi Gong with Apprentice of Peace (Ronnie Harvey and Pos)
Black History Month Facts
In celebration of Black History Month, we shared Black Facts. Did you know…
“As a school girl Claudette Colvin refused to give up her seat on the bus and was taken to jail nine months before Rosa Parks. Sadly, because she was an unwed mother, Colvin did not receive the massive public support that Parks did.”
“Dry Cleaning was invented in 1821 by a Black man, Thomas Jennings. He owned a Dry Cleaning business in New York City and was the first Black man in the United States to be granted a patent.”
“Marie Van Brittan Brown invented the home security system in 1966, along with her husband Albert Brown.”
“Ralph J. Bunche – Politician and United Nations Diplomat, was the first African-American to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1950 for mediating the Arab-Israeli Truce.”
“Black History Month originated in 1926 by Carter Godwin Woodson. The month of February was chosen in honor of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln who were both born in this month.”
Self-Care Speakers and Comfort Food
Speakers shared valuable information that educated and informed attendees about options for self-care.
- Kelvin Washington provided information about chiropractic and acupuncture and how using these techniques helps your body – bones, nerves and emotions, to improve overall function and well-being.
- Tirzah Washington shared information about aromatherapy and essential oils, and how plant-based oils can be used to increase the body’s electrical frequency, promoting healing and well-being. She also gave some excellent nutrition tips.
- Chessa Hallman, owner of Pilates on the Move, led our Thrive Activity. She had us using a paper plate to execute some of the Pilates moves.
- Two Sistahs Eats and Treats Catering delighted us ALL with delicious healthy cuisine, like flatbread salmon pizza bites, cranberry cilantro quinoa salad, veggie stuffed mushrooms, just to name some of what we enjoyed. It was delicious!
Dr. Peggy Mitchell-Clark (Dr. Peg) was our final speaker. She really tied together everything we learned during the day, as well as provided additional F.L.O.W information. She spoke to the unique challenges faced by Black people and how important it is for us to intentionally take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health so that we can be there for our families and our COMMUNITY. To get more information and help, go to Dr. Peg’s web-site @ drpegonline.com.
Kalhia Kabir, a CBHC college intern, asked attendees to stay tuned and look for future communications about the #shoyoflow campaign and program on Facebook. This program provides members of the Community a platform to share videos and/or pictures on an on-going basis demonstrating how they are F.L.O.Wing in health and well-being.
We can’t forget the Masseuse who worked non-stop giving chair massages. CBHC walked the walk by providing this self-care activity as part of the event. There were 20 happy people who experienced this great stress-relieving activity! One participant said, “I have never had a massage and really appreciated the opportunity and care the masseuse showed in introducing me to massage.”
Terri Richardson wrapped up the day’s Forum and shared announcements about upcoming events and activities. These events can be found on the CBHC web-site Event Calendar.
She also shared that CBHC has a team for American Public Health Associations Billion Step Challenge. To join our team, Stepping for the Health of It, Use the following link: https://stridekick.com/tc/apha, as there is no information on our website about this activity.
Opportunities abound for you to get and stayed involved with helping our Community, please consider joining one of the following 6 CBHC Committees (@ www.ColoradoBlackHealth.org under the About Us / Committee tab).
- Planning and Evaluation Committee
- Health Access Committee
- Young Black Professionals in Health Committee
- Cultural Networking Committee
- Education Committee
- Membership Committee
Which committee is right for you?
Find out more about each committee on the website https://www.coloradoblackhealth.org/committees/.
Future Forums
Finally, please share with us additional topics you want to see addressed at future CBHC Health Forums.
Just for the Health of it!