Health Update: Health Update: 2nd Annual Black Family Wellness Expo Coming March 14 – What Experts Say– What Experts Say.
The San Diego (CA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated announces the 2nd Annual Black Family Wellness Expo (BFWE). This year’s corporate sponsor is AARP, along with numerous community partners. The Expo includes more than twelve trusted community organizations to expand access to critical resources, education, and advocacy.
This event reflects our shared commitment to reducing disparities and ensuring families are connected to essential services that support long term well-being. Together, we will amplify resources and outreach to communities with the greatest need.
We are honored to feature CA Senator Dr. Akilah Weber Pierson, with a nonpartisan community forum highlighting the real-world significance of policy in advancing equity and wellness.
AARP Community Outreach and Engagement Manager Tiffany Zhang will present a keynote presentation on “Making Sense of Caregiver Cost and Finances.”
Our community-driven collaborative event is designed to address health and economic disparities and promote wellness in the Black and underserved communities.
This year’s BFWE hosts are both the Human Health and Services and National Trends and Services facets of the Chapter, where Kim Ballentine- Lane is President of the
San Diego (CA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. This community-wide event is scheduled to occur on Saturday, March 14, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at The Bayview Church in the MLK Jr Center. Attendance is free, and while registration is highly encouraged, it is not required.
To register you can search the event using The Black Family Wellness Expo, and here is the URL to use
Keeping with the National theme of the Links Incorporated, this year’s collaboration, offer educational enrichment, community networking, and access to health resources, while prioritizing the following focus areas:
- Financial Literacy – Financial Wellness topics ranging from budgeting to credit scores to financing a car or even saving for retirement.
- Health Literacy – Financial capability (financial literacy coupled with access to economic opportunity) has a positive, long-term effect on health.
- AARP: Are You Ready? Components for preventative measures during each specific life stage and health, wellness and financial support, services to the 50+ community and caregiving.
- High Expectations – Responding to the Drug Epidemic: Our goal is to increase our communities’ capacity to fight and resist conditions that facilitate drug use and addiction.
This event addresses health, educational and economic disparities that negatively impact the health and quality of life for many in the San Diego community. Our event is part of The Links, Incorporated’s nationwide Black Family Wellness Expos, held across the country throughout March, leveraging collective membership to improve outcomes for Black families.
families.
Other community, keynote speakers and workshops scheduled are:
- Mental Health Awareness
- Healthy Eating & Nutrition Awareness (including food and beverage vendors)
- Education Resources
- Beauty & Skincare
- Health Education & Blood Pressure, Glucose, and Cholesterol Screening
- Military and Veterans Resources, and more!
Why This Matters:
Health disparities in the Black and underserved communities lead to a lower quality of life and shorter lifespans.
For example:
- Heart disease and Stroke: Heart disease and stroke are leading causes of death, with Black Americans facing significantly higher risks due to elevated rates of high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. Adults aged 18-49 are twice as likely to die from heart disease compared to their white counterparts. (American Heart Association, CDC)
- Maternal Health: Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications, often linked to systemic inequities and unequal access to care. (CDC)
- Cancer Disparities: Black Americans have the highest death rates and shortest survival for most cancer types. (American Cancer Society)
- Estate Planning: Over 70% of Black Americans lack a will or estate plan, leaving
families without clear protections.
How You Can Help:
We invite health and wellness professionals, community organizations, and advocates to join us in the following ways:
- As a Vendor: Fill out the Event Vendor Registration Form at this URL (
- As a Donor, Contributor or for Corporate/Nonprofit or Organization Sponsorship Level info contact: corporateplanners@yahoo.com