For one of the final events for the 50th anniversary of Harlem Week, community members came out in droves on Thursday for the second annual Health Summit at the Alhambra Ballroom, a partnership between the annual event and Black Health Matters (BHM) geared toward sharing health and wellness information addressing health disparities of Black Americans.
“It’s bigger and better than ever,” said Rosalyn Y. Daniels, founder and CEO of BHM. “I think that’s because [attendees] were in the Harlem Week state of mind which meant they were up for fun, information and entertainment.”
Long lines wrapped around 125th Street to enter the Alhambra for the event with some even leaving once they heard it was at capacity. In the Grand Ballroom main hall, a packed audience listened to sessions featuring discussions on issues like voting and health, early detection, cancer, HIV, sickle cell, and kidneys from different medical experts, community leaders, and influencers.
Mona Richardson, 64, made it into the building but said she was unable to make it into the main hall and opted to watch the livestream. She also said she wished more resources were also given in the brochures they were provided.
The lineup of hosts included news anchor and host of WABC’s “Here and Now” Sandra Bookman, model and reality show star Cynthia Bailey and actor Malik Yoba. Multiple guests said they learned of the event after watching Bookman preview it on an episode of her news program. One of them is Alfred Evans, 63, a poet who came all the way from Brooklyn and said he felt at home with Harlem Week.
“I realized I have to be responsible for my own health,” Evans said. “I was glad to see that they had a forum like this. So I made it my business to come.”
Yoba, a Harlem native, shared that after having heart surgery, he felt it was important to be involved in the Summit. He also has fond memories of growing up and experiencing Harlem Week and is glad to have been a part of the 50th anniversary.
“It’s beautiful that it’s still going so I’m happy to be here to support,” Yoba told the AmNews.
Guests were also informed about illnesses that may be harder to detect including peripheral artery disease and food allergies. The Crystal Ballroom featured tabling of medical services from companies like Genentech and NYC Health Hospitals, as well as screenings for prostate cancer and other blood testing from Mount Sinai.
Maria Davis, an AIDS survivor, advocate and music industry insider, spoke on the panel discussing the virus’ impact on Black community. “It’s like the forgotten virus now because people are not talking about it,” Davis explained.
Davis uses her platform “Mad Wednesday’s” to talk with community members about pressing issues including health and wellness. She emphasized the importance of keeping community members educated about HIV because African Americans make up the highest number of new infections.
“I think that community education has fallen off the grid,” Davis said. “HIV and AIDS is not over. People are still getting infected with HIV, which is a preventable disease.”
