Santa Cruz County Black Health Matters Initiative: One Year Anniversary!

On October 16th from 1-5pm, Santa Cruz County’s Black Health Matters Initiative will celebrate its One-Year Anniversary with a day-long festival on the Tannery Arts Campus featuring performances, live music, food, a health clinic, artists, family fun activities, and vendors. The BHMI One-Year Anniversary is open to all community members, and is free of charge.

SCC Black Health Matters Initiative promotes equity through a network of community trust, advocacy, and collaboration to improve the quality of life for Black residents in Santa Cruz County. Throughout the last year, BHMI has curated dynamic programming and direct services to elevate Black voices and representation. Through partnerships with United Way SC County (see ASR Community Assessment survey with United Way Santa Cruz), County Park Friends, SCC Black Coalition for Justice and Racial Equity, Blended Bridge, NAACP SC, and ABC Health Group, BHMI hosted hikes, surfs, movement classes, and more in Santa Cruz County Parks, developed a Youth Ambassadors program for Black youth to network and rise as emerging leaders in the community, and sponsored local activists, leaders, and artists to effectively build a bridge for all Santa Cruzians to find connection, community, resources, and care.

Black Health Matters Initiative celebration on October 16th will include something for everyone:
-Live performances with Black performing artists, including Angela Chambers & others.
-Local activists and community leaders offering speeches.
-Food provided by Bobby Bishop’s Can BBQ, Alkebulan Vegan East African, and Sweet Bean Vegan Bakery.
-Music by Alexandra the Author, Yaya’s Kitchen, and DJ Mai Girl.
-Paint and sip with Blended Bridge
-Activity tent for kids led by BHMI Youth Ambassadors
-A health and wellness clinic, including a vaccine pop-up and -Second Harvest Fresh Food Drop.
-Resource Sharing with Black-Owned Business Booths