The National Urban League Young Professionals Launches 'Health At Home' Conference
The pandemic of the coronavirus is real and it has hit us all hard! This coupled with the deaths of Ahmaud Arberry, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and countless others has revealed many of the disparities and inequities that have long plagued the Black community. The saying from our elders that, "when White America catches a cold Black America catches the flu" has never resonated so much. Our community needs relief and in a real way. We have been impacted financially, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
Enter the Healthy at Home Inaugural Conference.
The National Urban League Young Professionals (NULYP) is partnering with the Houston Area Urban League (HAUL), Honor Humanity, and E&J Gallo to curate this virtual event. It will feature speakers from across the country to help educate the community on variety of topics that can be viewed from the safety of your home. It will even include DJs and mixologists.
The Healthy at Home Conference will be held from July 14-18 from 7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. ES. Each evening will feature a different area of wellness topped off with a virtual happy hour after the last session with cocktail receipes provided by Master Mixologist Cecil Usher and tunes spun by DJ Shanté live in the mix. This is going to be a week's worth of events to remember, but we cannot lose sight of the other purpose in our sights: our civic duty. During the conference we will also highlight the importance of the census and your vote.
Taking place once every 10 years, the census is about power in the form of money and political representation. In 2010 the Black community was undercounted by 3.7 million. That means our community, which is historically underfunded and left without resources, was hit with an even larger deficit. As it currently stands the national self-response rate is 62 percent and some of the most undercounted census tracks are still amongst Black people. We cannot allow another undercount and we must likewise ensure that our vote counts.
In 2020, it has never been more evident as to why our vote matters. Hospitals are being overwhelmed, millions are unemployed, lives are being lost and uncertainty is the new normal. A clear picture has been painted on how voting, or not voting, impacts our daily lives. The manner in which elected officials have handled the pandemic has forever changed our existence and their ability to adjust will shape our future. And yet there is hope.
There is a fresh energy in our community and in our country. We have choices to make and actions to take! These decisions will play a vital role in the coming years. I'm asking you to join me by doing the following:
Remember this is not about a moment, but a movement! I am calling on all Black Young Professionals to help us Make Black Count and Reclaim the Vote.
Ray Shackelford is the President of the National Urban League Young Professionals. Sign up and register for the Healthy @ Home Series free viirtual community event here.
Complete Your CENSUS Form Now
Go to my2020census.gov to complete your census right now! Then text 10 friends and family members to make sure that they have completed the census.
Use #MakeBlackCount
Create a video about how easy it was too complete the census and why it matters to you. Use the hashtag #MakeBlackCount
Register To Vote
Register to vote, educate yourself on the candidates, and commit to vote in every election! Just like with the census ensure that everyone in your circle does the same. Text them now!
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Use #ReclaimTheVote
Post a video that is less than a minute on why voting is important to you. Use the hashtag #ReclaimTheVote.
Hold Them Accountable
Civic engagement is a year-round duty. Even after we vote hold the people that represent you and your community accountable. Whether you voted for them or not, they now represent you and need to respond to your needs as well.
