SACRAMENTO – A change is going to come and it starts with us.
The California Black Health Network will host its 2014 Policy Conference on Thursday, September 11 with an emphasis on how Black community can heal itself by focusing on itself. The theme of this year’s Policy Conference is “Building Healthy Black Families from Beginning to End.”
The conference will begin with a VIP reception on Wednesday, September 10 at the Capitol City Holiday Inn, located at 300 J Street in Downtown Sacramento. The reception is set to run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the John Q Ballroom located on the 19th floor of the hotel.
The conference will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 11, 2014 in the Holiday Inn’s California Ballroom.
Sessions will include: “Investing in our Black Families – Look in the Mirror: Our Aspirations and Our Assets,” “The Paradigm Shift: Real Families – Real Stories – The CBHN Faith Based Initiative,” “How Families and Communities Can Organize for Change,” and “The Four Agreements: The Framework for Change.”
There will also be a focus on Black infant mortality, a cause the CBHN has championed since 2013.
“African American babies are dying at two times the rate of babies of any other ethnicity,” says B. Darcel Harris-Lee, President and CEO of the CBHN. “This is an epidemic in our state and in this country. It is important that we not just raise awareness about the issue but that we gather together the best minds in the state to change this paradigm and work toward solutions that will result in saving our Black babies.”
Ms. Harris-Lee says the CBHN is focusing on redefining how Black families are viewed.
“We have assets and resources in our communities that no one is talking about. Our families are beautiful; they are the glue that has ‘kept’ our communities for decades and it is time we redefine the terms we use to talk about “us” and about our communities. We need to focus on our positives. This conference is all about setting a policy agenda that will lead to systems change and ultimately mobilize communities throughout this state in an effort to rebuild healthy Black families that result in healthy Black communities.”
The event is open to students, health professionals, community organizations and “anyone that has an interest in improving the quality of life for our families.” Cost is $50 for non-profit organizations bringing for people or more; $65 for students and interns; $125 for advocates, non-licensed professionals and the general public; and $180 for professionals, doctors, nurses and social workers. Cost is $80 for luncheon only. For more information, call (916) 333-0613 or visit cbhnheroes.org.