The City of Bellevue and the Bellevue Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. hosted the 2023 edition of the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Health Fair on MLK Day, Jan. 16, 2023. You can view a video of the event, which was livestreamed.
The MLK Celebration and Health Fair celebrates the Rev. King's legacy and centers individuals and organizations experiencing or responding to racial and health inequities in our community. This year’s theme is "reinvesting in health," with holistic wellness presentations from community partners, youth-led health and equity discussions, performance art and remarks from city leaders. The flyer has additional details.
This event included:
- Presentations on holistic wellness from community partners
- Performances from local artists
- Youth-led discussion on health and racial equity
- Remarks from Bellevue leaders
Presenters and Performances
Performances
- Roz McCommon original songs
- Vania C. Bynum dance performances
- Koach Giggz
- Kutt’N’Up
- Spoken Word from John Hargrave Jr.
Partners and Background
Our community partner in health for this event is the Bellevue Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., which was founded on Jan. 13, 1913, by 22 women at Howard University, a historically Black college. The sorority's community legacy continues into the present as the Bellevue Alumnae Chapter members stay committed to making our world a more equitable and just place to live. The Bellevue chapter of Delta Sigma Theta has partnered with Bellevue for many years to serve residents of color.
The MLK Jr. Celebration and Health Fair honors the Rev. King's legacy by bringing culturally responsive and free health programming to Bellevue residents. As organizers of the event, the city and Delta Sigma Theta believe it is crucial to acknowledge the ways in which historic and systemic racism have resulted in significant health disparities across communities of color. Nationally, people of color experience racial bias, a lack of medical cultural competence and worse health outcomes than their white peers. People of color are also more likely to lack access to health care coverage across almost all age groups, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
King County is not free from these inequities. Within our county, people of color have a life expectancy that is on average four to nine years shorter than their white neighbors. Similarly, Black babies are 2.5 times more likely to die before their first birthday compared to white babies, as shown on the King County Health Disparities Dashboard.
For alternate formats, interpreters or reasonable accommodation requests, please phone at least 48 hours in advance to 425-452-7886 (voice) or by email diversity@bellevuewa.gov.
For complaints regarding accommodations, contact City of Bellevue ADA/Title VI Administrator at 425-452-6168 (voice) or email ADATitleVI@bellevuewa.gov. If you are deaf or hard of hearing dial 711. All in-person meetings are wheelchair accessible.
Health Resources
In addition to the presentations generously provided by the organizations above, following are some important health resources that have been a part of this event in the past or are key community touch points for culturally appropriate health services.
- Bloodworks Northwest: Schedule a blood donation now as the local blood supply is at emergency levels.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness: Resources and free support groups for individuals and families affected by mental illness. Local NAMI chapters, including NAMI-Seattle, provide groups specifically designed for Black and Indigenous participants.
- King County Crisis Services for behavioral health and recovery: 24-hour Crisis line is 866-427-4747.
- Washington Counselors of Color Network: Multicultural counselors serve an array of ethnic clients needing counseling and therapy from providers who understand the specific needs of people of color and various cultures.
- The Washington Recovery Help Line: 866-789-1511, An anonymous, confidential 24-hour help line for those experiencing substance use disorder, problem gambling and/or a mental health challenge
- Teen Link: 866-833-6546, confidential and anonymous help line for teens. Trained teen volunteers are available to talk with you about any issue of concern. No issue is too big or too small!
- Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860, grassroots hotline and nonprofit organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis – for the trans community, by the trans community.
- African Americans Reach & Teach Health Ministry: Committed to increasing awareness and knowledge about health issues that disproportionately affect people of the African diaspora, promoting self-affirming health practices, and strengthening the infrastructure of faith ministries and health organizations to provide culturally appropriate services.
- Liberate Meditation: free meditation app designed by and for People of Color.
- Therapy for Black Girls: online space dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls. It includes book suggestions, podcast episodes, blog articles and more.
- Community Healing Network and the Association of Black Psychologists self-care toolkit that guides you through healing in the face of cultural trauma.
- Youth Eastside Services
- Yoga Behind Bars
- Alzheimer’s Association
- Federal Drug Administration
- Curly Sister
- Eastside Youth Coalition
- Bellevue Youth Link
- Additional Mental and Emotional Health Resources
- Local, minority-owned Businesses
A video recording of the 2022 MLK program is available.