The City of Bellevue and the Bellevue Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. invite the community to join the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Health Fair, hosted virtually on MLK Day.
Event Details
2022 Virtual Fair Date: Monday, Jan. 17
Time: 10–11:30 a.m.
Place: Zoom Event – click here to view full recording
The MLK Celebration and Health Fair celebrates the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and centers individuals and organizations who are experiencing or responding to racial and health inequities in our community.
This special event includes:
- Speeches and presentations from community partners to support your health and wellbeing – see list below
- Entertainment from local musicians – acts listed below
- Remarks from City of Bellevue leaders
- Door prizes donated by local businesses owned by community members of color
Presenters and Performances
Presentations
- Mental health presentation from Sound (formerly Sound Mental Health) - Kevin Henry
- Introduction to Project Girl Mentoring Program
- Own Your Health presentation from Collective Innovative Solutions - Sondra Earley and Wilma Fountroy
- Worth a Shot COVID-19 vaccine awareness campaign - Mehr Grewal
- Toxic stress presentation - Lecturer and psychologist David Lewis
- Youth Link Board program overview - Priyanka Mukhara
Performances
- Roz Music original songs
- Vania C. Bynum dance performances
- Bellevue Youth Council youth performances
NOTE: All performances and presentations are available on the full event video recording.
Contact the Diversity Advantage Team at diversity@bellevuewa.gov or 425-452-7886 with any questions or with ideas for future presenters and performers. This program is presented in English.
Partners and Background
Our community partner in health for this event is the Bellevue Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., which was founded on Jan. 13, 1913, by 22 women at Howard University, a historically Black college. The sorority's community legacy continues into the present as the Bellevue Alumnae Chapter members stay committed to making our world a more equitable and just place to live. The Bellevue chapter of Delta Sigma Theta has partnered with Bellevue for many years to serve residents of color.
The MLK Jr. Celebration and Health Fair honors the Rev. King's legacy by bringing culturally responsive and free health programming to Bellevue residents. As organizers of the event, the city and Delta Sigma Theta believe it is crucial to acknowledge the ways in which historic and systemic racism have resulted in significant health disparities across communities of color. Nationally, people of color experience racial bias, a lack of medical cultural competence and worse health outcomes than their white peers. People of color are also more likely to lack access to health care coverage across almost all age groups, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
King County is not free from these inequities. Within our county, people of color have a life expectancy that is on average four to nine years shorter than their white neighbors. Similarly, Black babies are 2.5 times more likely to die before their first birthday compared to white babies, as shown on the King County Health Disparities Dashboard.
For alternate formats, interpreters or reasonable accommodation requests, please phone at least 48 hours in advance to 425-452-7886 (voice) or by email diversity@bellevuewa.gov.
For complaints regarding accommodations, contact City of Bellevue ADA/Title VI Administrator at 425-452-6168 (voice) or email ADATitleVI@bellevuewa.gov. If you are deaf or hard of hearing dial 711. All in-person meetings are wheelchair accessible.
Additional Health Resources
In addition to the presentations generously provided by the organizations above, following are some important health resources that have been a part of this event in the past or are key community touch points for culturally appropriate health services.
- Bloodworks Northwest
- Schedule a blood donation now as the local blood supply is at emergency levels.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- Washington provides resources and free support groups for individuals and families affected by mental illness. Local NAMI chapters, including NAMI-Seattle, provide groups specifically designed for Black and Indigenous participants.
- King County Crisis Services for behavioral health and recovery
- 24-hour Crisis line: (866) 427-4747
- Washington Counselors of Color Network
- Multicultural counselors serve an array of ethnic clients needing counseling and therapy from providers who understand the specific needs of people of color and various cultures.
- The Washington Recovery Help Line
- (866) 789-1511
- An anonymous, confidential 24-hour help line for Washington State residents. This help line is for those experiencing substance use disorder, problem gambling, and/or a mental health challenge
- Teen Link
- (866) 833-6546
- A confidential and anonymous help line for teens. Trained teen volunteers are available to talk with you about any issue of concern. No issue is too big or too small!
- Trans Lifeline
- (877) 565-8860
- A grassroots hotline and non-profit organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis – for the trans community, by the trans community.
- African Americans Reach & Teach Health Ministry (AARTH)
- An organization committed to increasing awareness and knowledge about health issues that disproportionately affect people of the African diaspora, promoting self-affirming health practices, and strengthening the infrastructure of faith ministries and health organizations to provide culturally appropriate services.
- Liberate Meditation
- A free meditation app designed by and for People of Color.
- Therapy for Black Girls
- An online space dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls. It includes book suggestions, podcast episodes, blog articles, and more.
- Community Healing Network and the Association of Black Psychologists self-care toolkit
- This free toolkit guides you through healing in the face of cultural trauma.