L.E.G.O. Black Family Wellness Expo

Welcome to the L.E.G.O. Black Family Wellness Expo

Date: Saturday, March 15, 2025

Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Location: South Suburban College - Student Entrance Door #8

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

The South Suburban Chicago (IL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated will hold our Links Eliminating Gaps through Opportunities (LEGO) Black Family Wellness Expo to reduce health disparities and address the overall wellness and well-being of the Black family. We will focus on safety, mental, physical, and financial health issues that negatively impact the health and quality of life for many in our community.

Join us for a day filled with empowering messages from Illinois Representative Robin L. Kelly, Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, Cook County Board of Commissioner President Toni Preckwinkle, and Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon. The day will include a complimentary continental breakfast, lunch, gift bags, giveaways, performances, an XTreme Hip Hop Step Aerobics, a resource fair, farmer's market, and interactive wellness workshops led by experts focused on the health and wellness of the Black family. Whether you're looking to understand how to prevent human trafficking; want to understand depression, Alzheimer’s, and dementia; need tips to effectively engage with law enforcement; seeking resources to build financial literacy for youth and prepare for college; want expert advice on navigating menopause, losing weight, planning your estate, and understanding breast health; or need a kidney screening, immunization, mammogram, or dental cleaning for your child, this community outreach event is for you!

Please review the entire program (Full Agenda, Breakout Session #1, Breakout Session #2, Breakout Session #3, and Free Services). You may only REGISTER FOR ONE WORKSHOP during each breakout session (Breakout Session #1, Breakout Session #2, and Breakout Session #3). That means you can have a maximum of ONE WORKSHOP in Breakout Session #1 (11:00 am - 11:45 am), a maximum of ONE WORKSHOP in Breakout Session #2 (12:45 pm - 1:30 pm), and a maximum of ONE WORKSHOP in Breakout Session #3 (1:45 pm - 2:30 pm).

Mark your calendars, tell others, and bring your entire family and all your friends to the LEGO Black Family Wellness Expo.

Info: Inspirational music and continental breakfast. Located in the Cafeteria.

Info: Welcome from the President of South Suburban College, Dr. Lynette Stokes. Located in the Performing Arts Center Theater.

Info: Welcome by the members of The Links, Incorporated, South Suburban Chicago (IL) Chapter. Located in the Performing Arts Center Theater.

Info: We will celebrate the children from our Links Eliminating Gaps through Opportunities (LEGO) Program with awards and a performance from Black Girls Dance. Located in the Performing Arts Center.

Info: When she was sworn into office on December 2, 2024, Monica Gordon became the youngest woman and just the third African American to serve as the Clerk of Cook County, one of the largest consolidated Clerk’s offices in the nation.

A longtime resident of the Southland, Ms. Gordon served as Cook County Commissioner for the 5th District prior to her election as Clerk. She served as Vice Chair of the Cook County Board’s Transportation Committee and has been active on issues involving health care and violence prevention, working to put her stamp on the 5th District by prioritizing the needs of residents with an emphasis on equity.

Info: Toni Preckwinkle is the 35th president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, an office she has held since 2010. As the top executive in Cook County, the nation’s second-most populous County, President Preckwinkle oversees one of the nation’s largest public health and hospital systems and one of the nation’s largest criminal justice systems. Located in the Performing Arts Center Theater.

Info: Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton is excited to serve Illinois as the state’s 48th Lieutenant Governor. In this role, her portfolio includes leading the Justice, Equity and Opportunity Initiative, and chairing the Illinois Council on Women and Girls, the Governor’s Rural Affairs Council, the Military Economic Development Council and the Illinois River Coordinating Council. She is the chair of the R3 Board (Restore, Reinvest, Renew) and she co-chairs the Opioid Prevention and Recovery Steering Committee.

Info: Congresswoman Robin Kelly has dedicated her career to public service as an advocate for Illinois families. Since being elected to serve the 2nd Congressional District in 2013, she has worked to expand economic opportunity, community wellness, and public safety across the state, championing numerous initiatives to generate job growth, reduce health disparities, and end gun violence.

Info: Select and register for ONLY ONE of the workshops listed under "Breakout Session #1." You can choose from: Human Trafficking 101, Discussing Breast Health, Weight Loss Strategies & Medications, CPR Training & Info, College Readiness, and Harambee Community Drumming.
Please check Breakout Session # 1 for more details.

Info: Complimentary lunch with music. Located in the Cofer Student Center Cafeteria.

Info: Select and register for ONLY ONE of the workshops listed under "Breakout Session #2." You can choose from: Effectively Engaging with Law Enforcement, Breaking the Stigma: Let's Talk About Depression, Decreasing Maternal Mortality, Xtreme Hip-Hop Step Aerobics, and Property After Death. Please check Session #2 for more details.

Info: Select and register for ONLY ONE of the workshops listed under "Breakout Session #3." You can choose from: Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia, Cannabis and Health, Navigating Menopause, Food As Medicine, and Financial Literacy for Youth. Please check Session #3 for more details.

Info: We all need tips to understand who's vulnerable to human trafficking. Join Darlene Bradley-White, a retired U.S. Department of Homeland Security special agent, as she shares insights and tips for preventing and understanding human trafficking. This is a session you don't want to miss.

Info: Our breast health is important. Black women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer than White women. Join Dr. Tiffany Robinson, who will share expert tips on maintaining good breast health.

Info: Obesity rates are higher in the Black community than in other racial groups. We need evidence-based advice on weight-loss strategies and medications. Join family and obesity medicine physician Dr. Tony Hampton for expert tips to help you reach your health goals.

Info: Did you know most cardiac arrests take place in the home? If CPR is performed immediately, it can double or triple a person’s chance of survival. Join Richard Amuzu from Vantage CPR to learn CPR tips and techniques. The life you save could be your parent’s, spouse’s, or child’s.

Info: Historical disparities in education have disproportionately impacted Black communities. College readiness programs provide tools and resources that increase career opportunities, close wealth gaps, and help Black students flourish. Join Homewood-Flossmoor High School educator Brandi Mathis for tips on how to flourish on your journey to college.

Info: African drums are the "heartbeat" of many African cultures. If you desire cultural connection, community, and dialogue in the spirit of healing, the Harambee Community Drumming is for you. Harambee is an accessible, culturally focused, experiential drumming that promotes emotional awareness, self-regulation, and transformative somatic sensitivity. Join this interactive workshop as Kwame Cobb shows us how to use the vibrant rhythm of African drums to unite and inspire us. Kids and adults are welcome to drum and create a shared heartbeat of community connection.

Info: Black people are more than twice as likely to be searched or arrested in a traffic stop. Join Chief of Hazel Crest Police Mitchell R. Davis III (2nd VP NOBLE) for an impactful workshop to help Black people effectively navigate interactions with law enforcement. This session is for children and the entire family to learn communication strategies, understand your rights, foster safer encounters, and empower you to advocate for yourself and your community.

Info: Many Black people believe that admitting to depression is a sign of weakness, as we are expected to "tough it out" due to societal pressures. Join Dr. Dewnzar Howard-Jones from Edgewater Health for a safe, candid, and empowering presentation on the unique experiences surrounding depression in our community, debunk common myths, and provide actionable resources for healing and support.

Info: Research shows that 46% of Black maternal deaths were preventable. Join Dr. Lisa Green from Family Christian Health Center, who will share research and strategies to help decrease maternal mortality of Black women.

Info: Are you ready to have fun, dance, break a sweat, and hear good hip-hop music? Join Chase West, the only Youth Master Trainer in Illinois, for an Xtreme Hip-Hop class you will never forget. This high-energy, full-body workout uses hip-hop music, aerobic steps, and other movements to improve fitness. This is a youth-friendly class, but we welcome adults of all ages.

Info: Join the Cook County Clerk's Office and legal experts as they share the importance of having an estate plan and other alternatives for property owners. You will learn how to transfer your property/home, car, and bank account to your beneficiaries upon their death without a will, without a trust, no legal fees, no probate court, and no court costs.

Info: Black Americans are more likely to develop Alzheimer's and related dementias than White Americans. Join Dr. Jessica Wilson for an enlightening session to learn about early signs, risk factors, and prevention strategies designed to empower our community with trusted information and practical tips for family support.

Info: Cannabis has been available for medicinal use in the state of Illinois since 2013. Join us for an insightful discussion exploring the intersection of cannabis and health. Learn what conditions qualify for medicinal use and the science behind how it works in the body. Whether you are curious about cannabis’s role in pain management, stress relief, or well-being, this presentation offers a supportive environment to learn and empower you to make informed decisions about your health.

Info: Research shows that Black women reach menopause 8.5 months earlier than White women and will endure symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats for 3.5 years longer. Join Dr. Erica Taylor from the Cook County Physicians Association in a discussion to illuminate your path through menopause.

Info:
Locally grown produce is fresher and has more nutrients than imported and long-distance transported produce because it is harvested at peak ripeness and takes a shorter time to transport from the farm to our tables. Join Derek Drake, a local hydroponic gardener (person who grows produce in a nutrient-rich water solution instead of soil), in an engaging presentation that explores the impact and sustainability of locally grown nutrition on our health, well-being, and community.

Info: Research shows that increased financial literacy improves financial wellness among Black people. This interactive workshop is for young children, teens, and adults. Join Tremaine Tucker from Old National Bank, who will share tips to prepare our youth for financial freedom.

Info: Black Americans are disproportionately affected by chronic kidney disease and experience significantly higher rates of kidney failure compared to other racial groups. MUST BE 18 YEARS OR OLDER - WALK-INS ARE ALSO WELCOME! Please go to our website, mobilescreening.nkfi.org/preregistration to pre-register and complete your questionnaire prior to screening! Blood pressure - Blood Glucose*- HbA1c for diabetics - Body mass index (BMI) - Waist circumference - Urinalysis** - Blood draw (if necessary) - Talk about your results with a health care professional and receive a copy of your test results same day. *Fasting not required. **Urine sample will be required.

Info: Mammography screening is considered a critical tool in mitigating disparities. Get your Mammogram in the Roseland Community Hospital mobile van. First come, first served basis. Located outside in Roseland Community Hospital mobile van.

Info: Research shows 26% of Black children have untreated tooth decay, almost double the rate of White children. Bring your kids from birth to 17 years old for a free dental exam and cleaning with Roseland Community Hospital's Dental Van. School forms can be completed. No insurance is needed. Located outside in Roseland Community Hospital mobile van.

Event Venue

South Suburban College - Student Entrance Door #8, 15800 State Street, South Holland, United States