Health Update: UConn Supporting Community Wellness at the 3rd Annual Black Family Wellness Expo – What Experts Say

The 3rd Annual Black Family Wellness Expo brought hundreds to Hartford’s Artists Collective on March 21 for a day dedicated to culturally responsive health education, prevention, and whole‑person wellness. The free, public event—hosted by the Farmington Valley (CT) Chapter and Greater Hartford (CT) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated—featured a wide range of wellness activities including health screenings, movement and arts programming, and community resources designed to empower Black families across Connecticut.

This year, UConn and UConn Health played a significant role as sponsors and partners, demonstrating the University’s ongoing commitment to advancing health equity and strengthening community well‑being.

“Last Saturday’s Black Family Wellness Expo was a joyful and powerful expression of what is possible when community leadership and strong institutional partnership come together in service of health equity. Over the past three years, our relationship with UConn has continued to grow in meaningful ways, helping us expand the Expo’s reach, deepen its impact, and bring even more valuable resources, education, and support to our community,” said Dr. Kyra Dorsey of the Farmington Valley (CT) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.

Connecting Families with Resources, Screenings, and Support
Throughout the day, UConn and UConn Health teams engaged residents with information, demonstrations, and hands‑on activities. UConn Health Disparities Institute (HDI) shared materials on its policy priorities, including menopause equity, health care affordability, and statewide efforts to advance health equity. Staff also connected attendees with resources designed to support informed decision‑making and community advocacy.

The UConn School of Medicine’s Department of Public Health Sciences, and UConn’s InCHIP, the School of Social Work, the UConn Center on Aging, and the New England Sickle Cell Institute of UConn Health hosted tables offering health information, research opportunities, and community connections. UConn Health providers and CT Area Health Education Center (AHEC) based at UConn Health also delivered free health screenings, supporting early detection and prevention for conditions that disproportionately affect Black families.

The day was grounded in a shared understanding of the deeper forces shaping community health.

“Historic, structural, and geospatial determinants of health continue to shape the distribution of risk, access, and outcomes for Black families across Connecticut. Our training programs therefore emphasize family‑ and community‑level health literacy as a foundation for sustaining long‑term wellbeing,” said Cecil Tengatenga, associate director of CT AHEC. “This commitment is reflected in our community‑based education model, which embeds precepted clinical rotations to ensure students understand these determinants as lived, place‑based realities with direct implications for equitable care.”

Students also found the Expo to be a powerful learning environment.

“Participating in community events like the Black Family Wellness Day Expo allows students and community members to have meaningful conversations about health that are not constrained by time, as would be the case in a traditional clinical setting. This helps us understand the specific ways that health and wellness impact people’s lives, which is essential for building trust in healthcare,” said Natalie Davidson, MHS of Physician Assistant Studies at Quinnipiac University and AHEC Scholar (Urban Service Track Cohort 18). “Since Urban Service Track scholars work in interdisciplinary teams at community events, I learn something new from my teammates every time. For example, our pharmacy students showed community members how to use several types of inhalers at their ‘Wheeze to Breeze’ station.”

“Being part of the Expo was empowering. Providing screenings, learning from an interdisciplinary team, and connecting with Black medical professionals and social workers—many of them UConn alum—reinforced why I chose this field. The experience showed me the real impact social workers can have and strengthened my commitment to serving my community,” said Desiree Pickard, UConn School of Social Work AHEC Scholar (Urban Service Track Cohort 18).

A Vibrant Community Experience
The Expo featured fitness and movement sessions, hands‑on wellness activities, and resources focused on physical, mental, emotional, and financial well‑being. Throughout the afternoon, the Artists Collective was filled with music, laughter, and movement as families joined in dance sessions and interactive activities that encouraged joy, connection, and physical activity. Community partners offered ongoing services, helping families build connections that extend beyond the event. A free nutritious lunch supported the Expo’s emphasis on healthy living and accessibility.

For UConn staff and faculty, the day was meaningful and affirming.

“It was truly gratifying to learn that the community regards UConn as a pillar of educational support. Many families expressed their appreciation to Public Health Sciences for sharing healthy recipes from our department cookbook,” said Jini Korcz of the Department of Public Health Sciences.

“I had some really wonderful conversations with community members and local organizations at the Black Family Wellness Expo. Everyone there shared a commitment to promoting health and addressing health disparities, each of us working toward that in different ways. It was great to come together for a day and share all of those resources and perspectives,” said Dr. Caitlin Caspi, associate professor and associate director of InCHIP.

Advancing Health Equity in Connecticut with a Commitment to Community
UConn’s participation in the Black Family Wellness Expo reflects a long‑standing commitment to community partnership. The UConn Health Disparities Institute has supported the Expo since its inception, recognizing the importance of creating a bridge between the University and the communities it serves. This sustained involvement aligns directly with HDI’s mission to advance equity and improve health outcomes by addressing the root causes of health disparities.

HDI’s approach—grounded in partnerships with communities disproportionately impacted by inequities—was visible throughout the event.

“Addressing health disparities requires us to show up consistently in community spaces—not just as experts, but as partners,” said Dr. Linda Barry, professor, associate dean for Multicultural and Community Affairs, and associate director of the UConn Health Disparities Institute. “Events like the Black Family Wellness Expo allow us to listen, learn, and build trust. That trust is the foundation for improving health outcomes and ensuring that every family has access to the resources they need to thrive.”

Dr. Kyra Dorsey of The Links, Incorporated, reflected on how the partnership with UConn has continued to deepen beyond the Expo itself. “Farmington Valley (CT) Chapter joining the UConn Health Disparities Institute Menopause Equity Collective is another example of how this partnership continues to grow beyond the Expo and into deeper collaboration around the health and well‑being of women, families, and our broader community.”

“UConn is an anchor institution in every sense of the word. More than just a higher education institution, health care provider, or employer — we are part of the community and thus, a neighbor. Events like the Black Family Wellness Expo reflect our commitment to supporting the health, well‑being, and upward mobility of all Connecticut residents,” said Dr. Linda Sprague Martinez, professor and director of the UConn Health Disparities Institute.