TYLER, Texas — A new networking organization hosted its first event this weekend at Tyler's APEC Gym to highlight medical resources for the Black community.
The Black Wellness Expo, hosted by EmpowerNet, featured a variety of activities, from yoga demonstrations to a lively drumline performance, along with valuable health information.
“My family had many chronic illnesses, so I spent a lot of time in the hospital growing up, and then continued my health and wellness journey by dealing with my own health issues,” Empowernet said. Founder Antois Jackson said.
Jackson's personal experiences laid the foundation for the World's Fair. Her mission was to bring a holistic approach to health to the Black community.
“We have mental health experts here. We also have cryotherapy, like cognitive drum therapy, yoga, fitness assessments, Reiki healing and all kinds of alternative medicine,” Jackson said. “It will show them a new path to health and wellness, showing them there are more ways to get healthy than just going to the gym.”
Participants were able to gain important information about heart health, which is often overlooked in the Black community.
“This disease affects a large portion of our community, which is why we want to highlight it for Black Americans,” said St. Louis Baptist Church Health Ministry Team Member Brenda Seaton. That's what I thought.''
Misinformation also contributes to a lack of knowledge about heart health.
“It's a myth. It's a myth that cancer is the leading cause of death for women in the United States. The fact is that more women in the United States die from heart disease than any other woman,” Seaton said. Ta.
These statistics come from the American Red Cross, which also states that eating a healthy diet and relaxing your mental health all contribute to heart health.
The expo also provided a platform for Black entrepreneurs like Shaday Nobles, owner of Shady Lips Cosmetics, to showcase products that can help people with their fitness journeys and mental health.
“I love making women look and feel beautiful,” Nobles said. “As a Black woman, I know that many of us are afraid to try bold, bright colors. So I wanted to help with that.”
