Access for Community and Cultural Education Programs and Training (ACCEPT) is hosting a Black History Month Wellness Fair event on February 11th at the Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows. The School of Public Health has two faculty members, Robert Harding and Karla Wagner who serve on the Board of Directors for ACCEPT, and are both excited to share this event.

The goal of the Black History Month Wellness Fair is to reach out and promote good health and wellness within the community while celebrating Black History Month through a variety of fun and engaging activities. There will be a bounce house, games, live music, guest speakers, a COVID wellness panel and free flu shots and COVID vaccines. The event is completely free and welcomes anyone to join. ACCEPT aims to foster community engagement by connecting with African Americans in Reno with information about HIV prevention, information and services along with providing free health and wellness resources to all participants.

Both Robert Harding and Karla Wagner are thrilled to be part of celebrating this historic month with an event that promotes health equity and equality. Harding has extensive history working towards HIV prevention in the Reno community and works closely with Wagner as a Project Coordinator in her research group. “For over 20 years ACCEPT Reno has filled a critical role in Northern Nevada. But beyond the services that they provide people living with HIV, the supportive family ACCEPT cultivates for individuals is life-saving for their clients, many of whom do not have other support networks,” said Harding. 

Gwen Taylor, Executive Director of ACCEPT described her passion for helping others by quoting a song by Mahalia Jackson, “If I can help somebody… You know, my living shall not be in vain.” Taylor then highlighted the importance of providing COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots at her event, as a disproportionate number of African Americans are at higher risk for hospitalization from the virus. “ACCEPT really has my heart, and it’s such satisfying work being able to provide this resource to the community and help people,” said Taylor. 

The Dean of the School of Public Health, Muge Akpinar-Elci is proud to have the School represented in such an impactful organization. “We love to see our faculty members supporting organizations like ACCEPT to promote public health in our region, especially in celebration of Black History Month,” stated Dean Akpinar-Elci.

The event will be this Saturday, February 11th, from 2-6 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, located at 2680 E. 9th Street. Learn more about ACCEPT by visiting their website.