Kaiser Permanente Joins Bay Area Black United Fund to Present African American Health Summit 2007: 'Strengthening Our Relationships' -- Janu

Oakland, CA (PRWeb) November 21, 2006 -- Oakland, CA-based Bay Area Black United, Inc. (BABUF) announced today it has partnered with title sponsor Kaiser Permanente and premiere sponsor United Way of the Bay Area for the third bi-annual African American Health Summit to be held January 11, 12, 13, 2007 at Oakland Marriot City Center, 1001 Broadway. The theme for the expanded three-day Health Summit is "Strengthening Our Relationships."

The information and activity-packed event will commence Thursday, January 11th with a combined Faith-based and Youth Health Institute that will focus on working with African American youth and faith-based communities. Eugene Williams of the Los Angeles-headquartered Regional Congregational Neighborhood Organization Training Center will be the featured morning speaker. Oakland-based Leadership Excellence will facilitate a session to help adults understand what it's like for young African Americans during these difficult times. Joseph Marshall, Jr., Ph.D., Executive Director for the Omega Boys Club is the luncheon keynote speaker. Dr. Frank Staggers, Sr., Director of the Ethnic Health Institute and Chair of the California Medical Association Foundation and Greg Hodge, Oakland Unified School District Board member will assist in facilitating this dynamic dialogue. Friday, January 12th is the daylong Health Conference featuring clinical psychologist, television host and author Brenda Wade, Ph.D., and luncheon during which San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris will deliver the keynote address. On Saturday, January 13 the final day of the Summit will encompass programs and activities for all ages, including health screenings and Tae Bo classes conducted by its inventor Billy Blanks, who is returning for the third consecutive year.

FREE shuttle service will be available to the Health Expo from YMCA locations: 32nd and Market St. (near Hoover Elementary), 23rd and Broadway (near Grand Ave.), 59th and Foothill Blvd. @ Seminary, 16th St. and 45th Avenue:
Call 510-451-8039 X124.

DAY-ONE: THURSDAY, JAN. 11 (8:00 am - 3:30 pm)
FAITH-BASED LEADERS' BREAKFAST
(Complementary for faith-based leaders; RSVP required)
COMBINED FAITH-BASED AND YOUTH HEALTH INSTITUTES
(Registration required; includes breakfast/lunch) $45

Combined Faith-based and Youth Health Institute will focus on working with African American youth and faith-based communities. Titled Faith, Youth and Community: Healing the Generation Gap, Oakland-based Leadership Excellence will facilitate a session on "Healing the Generation Gap" that will help adults to understand what it's like for young African Americans during these difficult times. Health ministries and youth service providers are encouraged to attend the Institute. Pastors, Clergy and Faith Leaders are invited to attend the hosted breakfast beginning at 7:30 am for which an RSVP is required.

DAY-TWO: FRIDAY, JAN. 12 (8:30 - 4:30 pm)
Registration req. $65 -- includes luncheon and health mixer

HEALTH CONFERENCE Featured Speaker, Brenda Wade, Ph.D.
Dr. Brenda Wade's conference presentation will examine the connection between developing strong relationships and achieving better health outcomes in our communities.

Dr. Wade's expertise as a clinical psychologist has blossomed into a colorful array of professional successes as author, television host, producer, and talk show guest, keynote speaker and workshop facilitator. She is both producer and host of the PBS television pledge special Power Choices currently airing nationally. Dr. Wade also hosts The CW Bay Area's Black Renaissance and contributes medical reports to KRON 4 News.

Dr. Wade's new book Power Choices: 7 Milestones on Your Journey to Wholeness, Love, Joy and Peace demonstrates the power of bringing together psychology and spirituality to transform lives. She co-authored two books with Brenda Richardson, What Mama Couldn't Tell Us About Love and Love Lessons: A Guide to Transforming Relationships.

Luncheon Keynote: San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris
Inaugurated on January 8, 2004, DA Harris is bringing San Franciscans a "smart on crime" approach -- prosecuting crime with resolve while remaining committed to rehabilitation and preserving civil liberties.

DA Harris' work to defend exploited children recently resulted in successful state legislation that creates increased punishment for those who sexually exploit youth. She co-sponsored the California Trafficking Victims Protection Act that makes human trafficking a felony in California. Launching unprecedented programs of outreach to San Francisco communities, she has expanded Community Courts and brought free legal clinics to immigrant neighborhoods.

DAY-THREE: SATURDAY, JAN. 13 (8:30 - 6:00 pm) Expo is free and open to all
FREE Health Expo: Free health screenings by the Ethnic Health Institute and Bay Area Black Nurses Association • health careers pavilion • all day aerobics classes • community education classes celebrating Black Love • CityFlight Health Team • "Yoga for Health" with the Black Lotus Yoga Teachers Alliance • free hair cuts by Healthy Oakland • the Northern California Senior Steppers • healthy cooking demos • YMCA of the East Bay Wellness Challenge and Super Hero Fitness for Kids • rock wall climbing, and many more activities for children and adults. The multi-national Mask Camp Parade with African-Caribbean dancers will take place at 12:00 noon; African-Caribbean Health dialog at 2:00 pm. The new youth pavilion will provide free health screenings, workshops and exhibits of special interest to teenagers and young adults.

Billy Blanks, the originator of Tae Bo, conducts Tae Bo classes at 10:30 am and 2:30 pm.: Billy Blanks unintentionally hit upon the concept for Tae Bo in 1975 when he was teaching classes in his Boston karate studio.

Tae Bo became an unprecedented national success and Billy Blanks, a recognized fitness expert. His record-breaking infomercials defeated all others, and his workout videos became bestsellers. Among countless other talk show appearances, Oprah shaped up with his help during a weeklong appearance in the Bahamas. More recently, Bantam released his first book, The Tae Bo Way, which not only shares his workout routines but also Blanks' philosophy and personal story.

For further information about the African American Health Summit 2007, visit www.babuf.org or contact Director of Workplace Campaigns, Marketing & Publicity: Melody Powers | 510-769-7270

About African American Health Summit:
Organized by a diverse planning committee, the bi-annul African American Health Summit convenes three activities that support improving the health of African Americans in the Bay Area. A Health Summit Conference for African American leadership and an intergenerational public Health Expo are offered.

About Bay Area Black United Fund, Inc.:
The Bay Area Black United Fund (BABUF) is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization located in Oakland, CA. Its mission is to promote and build partnerships with organizations to maximize its capacity to serve African American people and other communities of color. BABUF brings together resources that support human growth and development, and advance community economic development and renewal. www.babuf.org

African American Health Summit 2007 is convened by Bay Area Black United Fund, Inc.; presented by Kaiser Permanente; and generously supported by United Way of the Bay Area. Other in-kind and donor sponsors include ABBOT, Alameda County Public Health Department, American Cancer Society, Blackxchange.net, City of Oakland, California Transplant Donor Network, Ethnic Health Institute, CityFlight Media Network, KBLX 102.9-FM, Comcast, Wellpoint, Westside Community Services, and YMCA of the East Bay.

EDITORS' NOTE:
All African American Health Summit participants are available for interview.
Contact Toni Beckham | 408-499-3664.

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