By: Rami Mansi
With a dress code of red and a guest list packed with speakers and representatives, Brooklyn College (BC) Health Programs Office collaborated with the Black and Latino Male Initiative (BLMI), the Department of Children and Youth Studies, the Health Clinic, and the BC Cancer Center to host “Protect The Beat, Prevent The Risk: Heart Health & Cancer Awareness.”
After a brief confusion about the location, guests settled into James Hall 3403, where snacks, crafts, and light refreshments lay waiting.
“Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in the United States. With the theme ‘Your Health, Our Priority,’ the Health Programs Office aims to educate and empower participants with practical tools to reduce risk factors and prevent becoming a statistic,” said Dr. Lisa Millsaps-Graham, Adjunct Professor for the Health and Nutrition Sciences Department at BC and the Assistant Director of the Health Programs Office.
“By sharing knowledge and resources, we continue working toward building a healthier future for all,” she added on.
The theme of the Health Programs Office’s new events and initiatives is “Your Heart, Our Priority.” Millsaps-Graham explained this further.
“With the theme ‘Your Health, Our Priority,’ the Health Programs Office aims to educate and empower participants with practical tools to reduce risk factors and prevent becoming a statistic.”
The event was also in collaboration with the BC Fiber Arts and Crafts club, which led attendees through a crochet lesson of their choosing. Four tutorials were provided, as well as the materials needed to crochet one of four heart-themed items.
Many speakers and organizations were introduced as attendees crocheted their pieces. This was followed by speeches from two attending organizations.
Some of the organizations introduced were the BC Veterans and Military Program, the National Council for Negro Women (Flatbush Section), and the Coalition of Concerned Medical Professionals (CCMP).
The latter would deliver a presentation toward the end of the event, along with another organization.
Dr. Millsaps-Graham highlighted the Health Programs ambassadors who helped shape the event to its final outcome.
“Our newly formed Health Programs Student Ambassadors—Mia, Ardita, Badriah, Max, and Enisa—continue to do a tremendous job advancing health promotion initiatives on campus for both undergraduate and graduate students in a non-clinical environment.”
Looking towards the future, Dr. Millsaps-Graham shares the Office’s commitment to the community it serves.
“As we promote ‘Your Health, Our Priority,’ we remain committed to building a healthier future for all members of the Brooklyn College community.”
For more information regarding the Health Programs, BLMI, and the BC Cancer Center, please visit their respective Instagrams: @bc_hpiro, @bcblmi, and @bccancercenter.