City announces plans for Black History Month

  To commemorate this year’s Black History Month, our focus will be on increasing the positive health outcomes of our Black residents. In celebratory, interactive and safe ways, we will partner with local agencies, city departments and churches to enhance the health and wellness opportunities available to our city’s residents.

  Mayor Carlo DeMaria’s three-point diversity, equity and inclusion platform: Engage. Educate. Elevate will undergo efforts to promote health access and equity for the 2022 Black History Month commemoration. The latest data provided for the city by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health shows that Everett’s Black residents have the lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates. With the rate of infection on the rise, it is imperative that we support efforts to increase vaccination rates throughout all our communities. Due to the impact of COVID-19 on communities of color, it is time to recommit to strengthening a culture of health.

  Addressing health inequity has been a concern of the city and this Administration long before the impact of COVID-19. In 2015, Everett received the prestigious Culture of Health Award from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and worked with several agencies to promote health and well-being as it related to police/citizen relations, immigrant access and inclusion, and economic stability. This work was done recognizing the lens that race and race relations have on health indicators and outcomes. While the work hasn’t stopped over the years, placing an emphasis on health and well-being for Black History Month of 2022 is fitting and has potential to have a lasting impact for the city’s Black residents.

  In February, we will engage, educate and elevate by having city departments join with community partners to present and sponsor events around the theme of health and wellness. We are moving forward with the mayor’s agenda to make the city’s resources more accessible and inclusive to all residents by either bringing the events to locations of community partners or utilizing city spaces that have been underutilized by targeted groups.

  Our work will highlight and promote the Everett Health and Wellness Center under the leadership of Kahlea Brown, Owner/Personal Trainer of P.L.A.Y.Fit Lab, along with one of the month-long activities. Please note: All in-person events will meet the city’s health and safety protocols (with registration, screening, social distancing required) or the event will take place online.