In July,the N.C. Black Alliance, in conjunction with the Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP, held its inaugural statewide health fair in Chapel Hill.
Binkley Baptist Church was one of a dozens of faith partners across the state that hosted similar health fairs.
“The event was designed to bring awareness about health disparities and to also provide people with knowledge and awareness about issues that affect them at alarming rates. Historically we know people of color have a higher propensity towards high blood pressure, diabetes and other risk factors,” said Lorie Clark, program director.
Lorie Clark, Program Director for N.C. Black Alliance
Karida Giddings, health care program coordinator for the N.C. Black Alliance, said each health fair event was tailored to the specific region in which it’s held.
“This is the first for the organization and also hopefully the first of many more opportunities to partner with the Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP, and other grassroots organizations to reach [residents] that maybe don’t always get reached by the traditional healthcare system,” Giddings said.
“Communities can play a really powerful role in helping to bring marginalized communities closer to resources related to healthcare,” Clark said.
Attendees at the 2022 Black Health Alliance event at Binkley Baptist Church.
The N.C. Black Alliance is a nonprofit that addresses policy and economic issues to enhance black communities by developing and promoting systemic policy change as well as youth and leadership development, according to the organization’s website.
Clark said access to equitable healthcare can simply be an issue of trust in a healthcare system that has historically underserved and discriminated against communities of color.
“When people are aware of symptoms that potentially cause life-threatening issues, they know when to seek medical attention,” Clark added.
State policy leaders Senator Val Foushee, Allen Buansi and Barbara Foushee Greeted Guests
