Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 2 August 2001 — Page 5

The Muncie Times, August 2, 2001, page 5

Black Expo’s Health, Employment Fair set for Aug. 16

by Judy Mays The 6th annual Health, Employment and Community Information Fair sponsored by Muncie Black Expo will be held 10 am to 7 pm. Aug.16 at the Horizon Convention Center, south High Street. The fair is fine and open to all Delaware County residents. This year’s employment booths are open from 10 am. to 5 pm Co-chairs for this year’s planning committee are Alisa Davis, community outreach specialist, Open Door/Ball Memorial Hospital Health Center and Phyillies A Burks, director, Minority Health Coalition of Delaware County. “The planning committee adopted this year’s theme, ‘Coming Together For the Health of It,’ from Indiana Black Expo (IBE) Inc.,” Davis said. This theme expresses the partnerships among volunteers, co-sponsors and exhibitors coming together in

support of the fair and this community to provide tests, screenings and services. The goal of the fair is to reach out to Delaware county' and surrounding areas to showcase and offer options that will help people become healthier and happier. The planning committee said communities should be aware that health is more than just the absence of disease. “It includes the availability of affordable housing, satisfactory employment, and accessible resources within the community,” said Burks. Davis said, the fair offers solutions that will enhance today’s health issues and is being advertised over radio, television, through fliers, church bulletins, pastors, billboards, at electronic screens at some banks.” This year’s fair features health screenings for cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, sickle cell, prostate cancer, clinical breast exams,

glaucoma, child immunizations and more. Through a userfriendly process calld “One Step-One Stick,” participants will be able to have their blood drawn only once for a series of screenings. According to organizers, about 600 people have attended the fair each year since its 1995 inception. The number of people who have from the medical component of the fair activities is not known because any follow-up is confidential between doctor and patient. “Any results coming from screenings are confidential and no one need fear of being tested,” said Burks. For those seeking employment, access to Cybermobile computers and personnel of East Central Opportunities, to assist in job search, resmne writing and interview techniques, will be provided. “This fair is unique in that it provides a great opportunity

Phyillies Burks

for the public and considers the health of the total person by offering resources that enhance the mind and the body,” said Rick Taylor, director of human resources at Delaware Machinery, Muncie. Taylor is coordinator of the employment component of the fair. Tve been participating in the fair since it began. My booth saw an average of six to eight people each year,” Ttiylor

Alisa Davis

said. “We would like to see that number rise to at least 30.” About 22 employers were confirmed, but more were expected. “And, the fair promises to be entertaining, as well as beneficial, to the community,” said entertainment coordinator Lynnetta Abram “In addition to live musical performances,

FAIR SEE PAGE 36

Black Expo promotes community involvement, partnerships

by the Rev. Charles Williams I have traveled all across Indiana and experienced a variety of Indiana’s best and brightest communities. Our communities here in Indianapolis, and those around the state, are built on the dedication of those who work tirelessly on behalf of us all. But not every city or town is fortunate to have a group of individuals that create develop and implement programs and events that support community growth. Indiana Black Expo (IBE) accepted that challenge more than 25 years ago when it created the first IBE chapter city in northwest Indiana. Currently, chapters are located in 13 cities and towns throughout Indiana: Anderson, East

Evansville, Fort Wayne, Gary, Hammond, Indianapolis, Kokomo, Marion, Muncie, South Bend, and Terre Haute. IBE chapters rely exclusively on volunteers to implement programs, expand membership and market IBE programs and services. The chapters support IBE’s mission by partnering wtith other comm unity -based organizations, state and local government, area businesses, and churches to conduct programs that uplift and improve the quality of life for African Americans and their communities. We have formed partnerships with local city governments to produce annual festivals and expositions. Also, many chapters work with their local city governments to sponsor

Rev. Charles Williams

Day celebration and Black History Month activities. With youth as the main focus of program for Indiana Black Expo, a number of chapters collaborated with local public school systems, colleges and universities, and other youth-serving agencies to sponsor career awareness programs, teen summits, college tours,

History of Indiana Black Expo Inc.

In 1971 a group of religious and civic leaders created an exposition at the Indiana State Fair grounds that showcased the achievements of African Americans in the areas of culture, art, history and economics. The first exposition was a major success due to the collective efforts of a dedicated, all-volunteer team of community workers. IBE continually upgraded the quality of programming at the exposition, and ultimately the event outgrew the state fair grounds. This growth led IBE to relocate its exposition at the Indiana Convention Center, where the Summer Celebration flourished to become the largest and longest running exposition of its kind in the nation. Through the many substantive symposia IBE has presented, this organization has played a •ypry vital rol,e., Aik

reflect the needs and aspirations of African Americans. Since its inception 30 years ago, IBE has grown from a single annual event (the Summer Celebration) to a year round, multifaceted community sendee agency. IBE currently operates under the leadership of a 35 member Board of Directors from across the state, a full-time staff of 17, 11 summer interns and hundreds of energetic volunteers. Over the past several years IBE’s outreach has increasingly emphasized the importance of building a better future for our youth through programs such as Youth Video Institute, AMen and Youth Corps. IBE also co-sponsors the Coca-Cola Circle City Classic. Proceeds from the Circle City Classic fund the IBE Scholarship Program. Rev. Charles Williams is president of the , organization which- has 13