Hundreds gathered on Mar. 21 at the Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex in Miami Gardens, Florida for the 4th annual Black Family Wellness Expo (BFWE), an event aimed at bringing free health services, education, and economic resources directly to everyone in the community.
Organized by Greater Miami (FL) Chapter, Dade County (FL) Chapter, and Miami-Biscayne Bay Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, the expo offered screenings, information and support designed to address long-standing disparities affecting Black families.
The event was created by the Links National President Ethel Isaacs Williams, in response to ongoing health and economic disparities disproportionately affecting Black communities, including higher rates of hypertension, diabetes and heart disease, as well as limited access to affordable care.
Sabrina Thomas Knight, president of Greater Miami Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, helped organize the BFWE.
She said the expo helped address the challenges many face in accessing healthcare and financial resources, such as free health screenings, social security and fraud prevention, estate planning and retirement workshops.
“Events like the BFWE allow us to assist with screening and then connect those needing health services with a provider,” Knight said.
Residents in some Miami neighborhoods face significant health disparities, with lower life expectancy and higher rates of chronic conditions such as asthma, cancer, diabetes and HIV/AIDS compared with other areas. Events like the BFWE aim to close these gaps by bringing services directly to the community.
Every March, 78% of the chapters host wellness expos across the country and in the Bahamas, with 160 events taking place on the designated National Day of Impact, March 21.
Knight said the experience of helping organize the event showed her the impact of community-based outreach and accessibility.
“I saw how bringing services directly to people in a welcoming and culturally relevant environment can build trust and encourage individuals and families to take charge of their health,” Knight said. “It made me realize that small efforts, like helping coordinate vendors or sharing information, can have a meaningful impact on someone’s life.”
Duane King, a 63-year-old Miami Gardens resident, attended the expo because it was being held near his home.
He said the event is a valuable resource for the community.
“I went to the social security and retirement workshop and learned new things that I didn’t know before,” King said.
As community members experienced the expo’s impact firsthand, local officials highlighted its role in advancing public health awareness.
Oliver Gilbert is the Miami-Dade County Commissioner for District 1 and a former mayor of Miami Gardens.
He highlighted the importance of supporting events like the expo and small victories in health awareness.
“If there is one who got screened for blood pressure and didn’t know they had [high]blood pressure, it’s enough,” Gilbert said. “The people who got sickle cell screenings and now know that knowledge is power, it’s enough.”
Nearly 100,000 people in the United States are living with sickle cell disease, a genetic blood disorder that disproportionately affects Black Americans. More than 90% are non-Hispanic Black or African American, and an estimated 3%–9% are Hispanic or Latino.
About 120 million U.S. adults have high blood pressure, a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Many people with hypertension are unaware they have it, which can lead to serious health complications if untreated.
Paula Anderson, a Health and Human Services Co-chair of Miami-Biscayne Bay Chapter (FL) of The Links, Incorporated, coordinated with Nova Southeastern University medical students to participate as a vendor offering health screenings.
She said the expo’s effectiveness is evident in both participation and personal impact.
“Families, seniors, vendors, and partners told me they left feeling seen, supported, and more informed about their health,” Anderson said. “We have grown to include dozens of community partners, student doctors, screenings, wellness education, fitness activations, youth programming, senior resources, and direct community engagement in one place.”
Anderson also pointed to specific examples of how the event resonates with participants across age groups.
“Two youth participants under the age of 10 expressed how much they enjoyed learning basic CPR, noting that they now feel more confident in their ability to help save a life if needed,” she said. “Another student shared enthusiasm for the boxing fitness session and the healthy cooking demonstration, emphasizing how engaging and informative these activities were.”
The workshops and fitness sessions drew strong participation from attendees.
“Participants described the mental health sessions as impactful, while the financial workshops provided valuable information on estate planning, budgeting, fraud protection and wealth building.”
As the organization prepares the fifth annual expo, it continues to evaluate each year’s event, looking for ways to improve logistics, programming, and community engagement.
Reflecting on these lessons, Anderson explained how the event has grown over time.
“Each year has taught us that the expo must be more than a health fair, it has to feel like a true community experience,” Anderson said. “The Expo has evolved into something more layered, more strategic, and more impactful because we keep listening and improving.”
She also emphasized that collaboration is a central part of the expo’s success, allowing the team to expand offerings and reach more community members.
“One of the key drivers of the BFWE’s continued success is collaboration,” she said. “By working with multiple chapters, community vendors, and local officials, we’ve been able to expand services and create a more comprehensive event that meets diverse community needs.”
As a longtime supporter of The Links, Incorporated, Gilbert said he continues to support the organization because of the work they do both nationally and in the city of Miami Gardens.
“The Links are special as individuals and for the things they do in the community,” he said. “[Their] ability to call people, bring them out and unite them behind a cause is important as well as our physical, mental and financial health and wellness.”
Linda Julien serves as the Councilwoman for Seat 5 in the city of Miami Gardens and is also a member of Greater Miami (FL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.
She said the expo not only brought residents together but also provided access to vital services and helped foster a culture of wellness that can benefit families over the long term.
“Health is wealth and I’m just so happy that we have a community of folks who understand what we need to do for us,” Julien said. “We have to put mechanisms and initiatives in place so that we can continue to thrive.”
As the event continues to grow, Knight said its mission remains focused on access and impact.
“By expanding into more communities, offering comprehensive services, and strengthening partnerships, the expo can reach even more families,” Knight said. “With ongoing support, follow-up care, and digital resources, the goal is for the Black Family Wellness Expo to be a sustained movement that promotes long-term health, education, and economic empowerment for everyone.”
Morgan Knight covers culture, lifestyles and trends for HUNewsService.com.
