Creating healthier communities isn’t always easy. Oftentimes, community coalitions and public health advocates must acknowledge factors that are sometimes easily overlooked, such as historical influences, unconscious biases, cultural traditions.
That’s why this year’s Leadership Summit for Healthy Communities + Youth Edition is focusing on historical and cultural influences that impact perceptions on healthy eating, active living, and health. This annual event is also focusing on the importance of cross-collaboration between community coalitions and youth advocates. Youth may just be the key to unlocking local initiative success!
The Summit provides community coalitions, public health partners, and youth advocates with proven and sustainable approaches that lead to increased access to healthy choices for all people. From farmers’ markets and community gardens to transportation and disability inclusion, the Summit provides insight and inspiration for increasing access to healthy food and safe places for physical activity.
Join hundreds of public health, community, education, and youth advocates to explore policy, systems, and environmental change strategies that create healthy communities for everyone.
Keynote Speakers
May 12 | 1:10 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Cultural Effects of Health on the Gullah/Geechee Nation
Queen Quet Marquetta L. Goodwine, Chieftess and Head-of-State
The Gullah/Geechee Nation
For centuries, the Gullah/Geechee people have endured inequities and unfair treatment that have negatively impacted their quality of life. Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, will present on how her people live an active life that supports overall healthy living. The traditional Gullah/Geechee lifestyle has led to many natives of the Sea Islands living into their 90s and 100s and still being viable active members of the community. She will tell you how public health advocates and community coalitions can work with the Gullah/Geechee people to increase access to healthy eating and active living resources and improve health outcomes.
May 13| 1:10 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Historical Influences on Cultural Mistrust
Dr. Kathryn Silva Hyde
Chair & Assistant Professor of History in the Department of Humanities
Claflin University
Why are African Americans skeptical about health and healthcare? How does African American history and culture influence today’s perspectives? Dr. Kathryn Silva Hyde will explore the history and treatment of African Americans over the course of centuries. She will provide insight into why, in today’s world, African Americans are hesitant to trust, not only healthcare providers and public health professionals, but also leadership, new ideas, new initiatives, and new resources implemented to help shape health outcomes.
May 13 | 4:40 p.m. - 5:10 p.m.
By the Hand Club for Kids/Austin Harvest
Chicago, IL
Austin Harvest grew out of a desire for youth to lead the way for positive community change. It is a youth-led open-air fresh market that provides fresh produce to the residents of the Austin neighborhood in the far west side of Chicago. Due to decades of racial inequities highlighted by the killing of George Floyd and the COVID-19 crisis, By The Hand Club for Kids youth gathered in healing circles with local police and athletes to process recent violence and brainstorm solutions for their community in June of 2020. The students challenged the stakeholders to think about systematic reform but also expressed the need to do something now. This led to the idea of Austin Harvest and the transformation of a looted liquor store into a fresh market. More than providing fresh food to a neighborhood that historically lacks access to healthy and affordable produce, the aim of Austin Harvest is to bring people together and bring hope not only to their neighborhood but to inspire other communities that they too can make change.