Durham, NC – The Community Health & Wellness Fair, led by Dr. Wanda Boone (CEO, Together for Resilient Youth), Kearston L. Ingraham, MPH (Executive Director, Holistic Health Empowerment), Lillie A. Hill, MSN, BSN, RN (Durham Technical Community College), and Latoria Dowdy (Heaven Sent Catering), successfully gathered community members for a transformative event dedicated to youth empowerment and public health. Hosted at Durham Technical Community College, the fair provided essential resources, health education, and interactive engagement opportunities for attendees.
A Meaningful Start to the Day
The fair opened with a powerful Youth Health Ambassadors segment, where young leaders addressed urgent topics including gun violence, stress, bullying, vaping, and substance use, fostering critical discussions on community challenges. This dialogue reinforced the role of youth leadership in advocating for positive change.
Throughout the morning, attendees engaged with health experts on mental health, heart disease, diabetes, nutrition, and exercise, lung cancer prevention, with specialized stations supporting chronic disease prevention and overall wellness. Thanks to the Durham County Department of Health and Human Services, free naloxone distribution furthered public safety efforts.
Community Partnerships & Offerings
The event featured a diverse array of vendors and organizations providing critical services:
North Carolina Advisory Committee on Cancer Care and Coordination’s Prevention Subcommittee – Shared vaping and tobacco cessation materials and QuitlineNC referrals to encourage healthy behaviors.
Community Health Coalition – Provided health education materials and blood pressure screenings, helping attendees monitor their wellness.
Durham County Department of Health and Human Services – Offered naloxone, along with healthy eating, diet, exercise, and diabetes education resources to support chronic disease prevention.
Lincoln Community Health Center – Graciously donated drawstring bookbags, hand sanitizer, and clinic/health education materials, ensuring attendees left with valuable tools for establishing a medical home.
Interactive Wellness Activities – A line dancing session -featuring the electric slide and “Boots on the Ground “kept energy high and encouraged physical activity in a fun, engaging way.
Attendees also participated in Operation Medicine Drop, a secure, safe way to dispose of unused or expired medications, facilitated by Sheriff’s Office representatives.
Clinical Trial Education & Engagement
The fair provided a valuable opportunity for attendees to learn more about clinical trials as a pathway to advancing medical research and improving health outcomes. Trained professionals were on-site to discuss the importance of clinical trial participation, ensuring individuals understood how research contributes to better treatment options and equitable access to care.
In alignment with the AACI Clinical Research Innovation strategic goals, specialists highlighted barriers to participation, the significance of diverse representation in trials, and how informed engagement can lead to groundbreaking medical advancements. These conversations reinforced the need for community-driven approaches that empower individuals to make informed health decisions and contribute to life-saving research.
Impact & Community Engagement
With strong attendance and active participation, the Community Health & Wellness Fair successfully fostered conversations around youth leadership, public safety, and proactive health management. Attendees left with not only valuable information but also tangible resources to support their health wellness journeys.
A Call for Sustainable Solutions
Kearston L. Ingraham, MPH Executive Director of Holistic Health Empowerment, emphasized the importance of addressing mental health, positive conflict resolution, and bullying prevention as key strategies for long-term wellness:
“Events like the Community Health & Wellness Fair demonstrate the power of education, engagement, and action in shaping healthier communities. Mental health awareness, positive conflict resolution strategies, and bullying prevention must be prioritized to empower individuals, particularly youth, to navigate weathering experiences and life challenges with resilience coping strategies. When we foster positive, healthy behaviors and reduce exposure to stressors, we lay the foundation for improved well-being and chronic disease prevention—an approach deeply aligned with the mission of the American Public Health Association.”
Acknowledgment of Partners
The Community Health & Wellness Fair was made possible through the generous support of its presenting partners:
- Together for Resilient Youth
- Holistic Health Empowerment
- Advancing Health Equity Together (CERI)
- Durham Technical Community College Nurse Aide Program
- Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People Health and Safety
Additional Supporting Partners:
- Alliance Behavioral Health
- Lincoln Community Health Center, Inc.
- Durham County Department of Public Health
- Durham - National Council of Negro Women
- Greater Durham Black Chamber of Commerce
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