GRAND CHUTE – Fox Valley community-based volunteer organization People of Progression is hosting a health fair aimed at providing welcoming and accessible health care resources to the Black community.

The Hip Hop Health Fair will take place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Wisconsin Academy of Sports, located at 3375 W. College Ave.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the physical and mental health of people everywhere, People of Progression co-founder and project coordinator/director Kristen Gondek says it has had a disproportionate impact on the black community.

With this in mind, the Hip Hop Health Fair was designed to provide “barrier-free access to mental health, physical health, and different resources” to members of the community who, for various reasons, have historically had less representation. and confidence in public health. , she says.

“Our Hip Hop Health Fair creates a very welcoming atmosphere for us, when sometimes the health community can feel very intimidating, stepping into a space that doesn’t feel like it’s built for us – you know, when you look at the doctor’s walls, and all the diagrams are a white diagram, and nothing really introduces us,” Gondek said. “We’re trying to create this space where it’s welcoming for the black community to come and mingle with different professionals mental health and physical health professionals.”

The event will provide people with the opportunity to get vaccinated and vaccinated against COVID-19, have their blood pressure checked and meet with healthcare professionals including massage therapists, holistic wellness professionals, movement specialists, nutritionists and personal trainers. There will be raffles, prizes and free workouts.

Music will be provided by DJ BWOOP, chef Tasha Banks will bring a soul food-inspired healthy meal, and Vibez TV will film live coverage of the health show.

The family event will also feature games for children and a teddy bear giveaway from Bears for Humanity.

AFTER: Here’s a guide to organizations in northeast Wisconsin dedicated to racial and ethnic diversity

People of Progression was formed in the summer of 2020, following civil unrest following the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer. Gondek said the organization was initially an unofficial weekly gathering space at the Taperz Barber Shop where community members were invited to speak. But after seeing the popularity of the sessions, Gondek and Taperz owner Cainan Davenport decided they could do more by forming an organization.

“We realized we wanted to do more than just sit here and talk about it. We actually want to bring resources to our region that have never been here before,” Gondek said. “We have a population, a diverse population, that is growing. And it would be an injustice if we didn’t have resources here that actually help community members, instead of having diverse populations that migrate to this area and are struggling because there are no resources that are just for them.”

Gondek was originally the Vice Chairman of the Board of People of Progression. Currently, she is the organization’s first paid employee. Davenport is president of People of Progression.

People of Progression organizes holistic support groups as well as youth programs and mentorship. He also hosts an annual back-to-school block party with Taperz Barber Shop.

Contact Kelli Arseneau at (920) 213-3721 or [email protected] Follow her on Twitter at @ArseneauKelli.