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Seattle Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Hosts Inaugural Black Wellness Fair

Photos by Cydney Stephens

Nourisha Wells joined host Trae Holiday recently on The Day with Trae to talk about the inaugural Black Wellness Fair hosted by the Seattle Alumnae Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and Seattle Parks and Rec.

Wells is the second Vice President and Chair of the Physical and Mental Health Committee. When she became chair, she wanted to do something in the South Seattle community that focuses on health and wellness.

“We've been struggling for a while, but specifically since COVID, so I wanted to make sure that we did something that benefited our health and our wellness, in a way that puts us kind of front and center in that conversation,” Wells said.

For Wells, putting on a health fair has a learning curve, but she is excited about the response from the community partners. After working with Seattle Parks and Rec to secure the event space, she began engaging with various health resources from medical facilities. There will be health-focused panels at the event, with a particular emphasis on ensuring representation by having speakers who are Black healthcare practitioners. This ensures that attendees not only receive information but also have access to healthcare providers who understand and reflect their community's needs, providing ongoing care and support.

“It was important to think holistically from, the youngest people in our community to the oldest, because we are very community-driven, we're multi-generational,” Wells said. “I wanted to make sure that we touched on all those aspects. We're going to be talking about, reproductive and maternal health, from the very start of you know, your menstruation to menopause. We're going to be talking about living with chronic disease and preventing chronic disease, but also caring for our family members who have a chronic disease.”

In addition to health-focused panels, there will be activities such as Zumba and fitness demonstrations. The event will also include entertainment, possibly including slides, to ensure a lively atmosphere. Mental health will be a significant topic of discussion, providing attendees with tools to navigate life's stresses and build resilience.

“We have five areas that we focus on economic development, educational development, international awareness and involvement, because we are people of the diaspora, our physical and mental health, and then our political awareness and involvement,” Wells said. “For us, it's a holistic approach to caring for our community. The Seattle Alumni Chapter of Delta has been present in Seattle since 1933, which is kind of wild to think about. We've been out here since the Depression, and have been a very present partner in our community.”

To access vaccinations and immunizations for childhood immunizations, individuals can visit the website seattledelta.org. On the website, there will be an option to register for vaccinations or to have a child immunized.

The fair will take place on April 27 from 10 am to 2 pm at the Rainier Beach Community Center. For more information about the event, you can visit seattledelta.org.

For more stories about local events in Seattle, tune into Trae every weekday at 11 a.m. on all Converge Media platforms and The Day With Trae YouTube Channel.