Wilmington’s Chase Center on the Riverfront will host this year’s Black Girl Health Con on Saturday from 8:30 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon.
The founder and CEO of Black Girl Health Collective, Brittany Williams, says that the beginnings of the organization came from inspiration from her own life.
“When you heal a Black woman you can transform a community,” Williams says. “I’ve experienced the impact of not having access to care.”
Starting the org in 2021, BGHC began as a hub for resources and connections, helping Black women to find providers that they feel represent and understand them.
In her home state, Williams wanted to make a change by increasing healthcare accessibility and knowledge to the general public.
“Access to care here has been so poor that we had the National Guard come in and provide care, preventative care, and care that members of the community haven’t been able to access,” says Williams.
Her concern for other black women receiving proper healthcare is only scratched at the surface when she points out the patient to provider ratio in Kent County, which she views as subpar.
“We’ve really been curating a space reflecting on and understanding the unique challenges faced by Black women like the high maternal mortality rate and different health inequities,” Williams says.
“Black Girl Health Con was created to kind of level the playing field and to spark meaningful conversations.”
Guest speakers at BGHC will include breast cancer survivor, writer and activist Erica Hart, board certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist and the President and CEO of Physicians for Reproductive Health Dr. Jamila Perritt, and artist and activist Michelle Browder.
Along with speakers, there will vendors and live entertainment, along with networking opportunities.
Individuals interested in participating can still register here.