Black Scientists Hold Back to School Health and Wellness Symposium

A free event preparing Black youth and children for a safe and healthy school year

September 21, 2022 | By Fennella Bruce |

In an effort to educate Black youth and students this fall, The Black Scientists’ Task Force on Vaccine Equity (BSTF) has put together a free Black Health and Wellness Symposium on Saturday, September 24th at the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement, located inside Winston Churchill CI, 2239 Lawrence Avenue East, Scarborough from 12:00pm – 4:00pm EST.

“Our team of trusted Black health and medical experts provide the latest updates and responses on COVID-19 and its variants,” explains Dr. David Burt, Co-Chair of the BSTF. “At the symposium, our aim is to effectively address the issues around vaccine trust and help prepare our community for a healthy and safe fall and winter seasons.”

Thirteen trusted Black health and medical experts form the BSTF, including Immunologist Dr. David Burt, Naturopath and Health educator Dr. Candice Todd and Deputy Medical Officer of Health for the City of Toronto Dr. Na-Koshie Lamptey.

Members of the Task Force will be present at the symposium leading workshops on:

• Childhood diseases and immunization essentials

• Building anti-Black racism awareness and knowledge

• Fostering mental health and wellness

• Improving diet and exercise

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed long-standing, systemic health inequities related to poverty, racism, marginalization and other forms of discrimination faced daily by the Black community.

The Black Health and Wellness Symposium will be an interactive event where the community can come together to learn about health literacy in the Black community. There will be free activities for kids, giveaways, food and music.

Sponsored by: Black Physicians’ Association of Ontario, TAIBU Community Health Centre, City of Toronto, Tropicana Community Services, TDSB’s Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement.

SOURCE FKBMedia