Black Health Matters (BHM), the nation’s leading health and wellness platform for the Black community, returned to Harlem on Thursday, August 14, 2025, with its highly anticipated Summer Health Summit & Expo—a vibrant, day-long experience designed to inform, empower, and transform. The event took place at The Riverside Church as part of official HARLEM WEEK programming and in partnership with The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, the free event offered culturally relevant health screenings, expert panels, community resources, breakfast, lunch, and wellness giveaways—all designed to meet people where they are and help them take control of their health.
Now in its fifth year in Harlem, the summit arrived at a critical time. National projections estimate that up to 17 million people could lose health insurance due to recent federal policy shifts, and in Harlem alone, that could impact over 13,000 residents. This came as the neighborhood continues to face some of the highest rates of chronic illness and psychiatric hospitalizations in the city. These compounding challenges underscore the urgent need for equitable, accessible care and trusted resources rooted in the community.
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“The Black Health Matters Summit represents the very essence of HARLEM WEEK’s mission, uplifting, informing, and empowering our people,” said Winston Majette, Executive Director & Board Member, The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce & HARLEM WEEK, Inc. “We are honored to partner once again and bring vital health resources to our community at a time when they are most needed.”
The Harlem edition of the summit featured:
- Complimentary health screenings valued at over $2,500, including Blueprint for Wellness complete blood panels, A1C, Glucose, Breast Self-Exam Instruction, Digital Hand Strength Screenings, Hepatitis C, HIV, Hypertension, Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA), Syphilis, Vision and more.
- Clinical Trials Corner, promoting representation in research and offering insights into the importance of trial participation.
- Expert panels and interactive workshops focused on chronic disease prevention, mental health, nutrition, and holistic wellness.
- A vibrant expo hall, connecting attendees with healthcare providers, nonprofit organizations, and wellness advocates.
Featured Guests Included:
- Timon Kyle Durrett, Actor, Beyond the Gates
- Sandra Bookman, Anchor, ABC7 Eyewitness News
- Cynthia Bailey, Model, TV Personality, Actress, and Women’s Health Advocate
- Nicky Sunshine, Actress, Comedian, and Co-owner of Comedy in Harlem
- Tobias Truvillion, Actor & Producer
- Elijah Westbrook, Emmy Award-Winning Journalist, CBS News NY
- DaShaun “The Guru of Abs” Johnson, Fitness Expert & Coach
- Chef Lex, Culinary Educator, Author and Motivational Speaker
The Harlem event was part of BHM’s 2025 national tour, which included key stops in Atlanta, Harlem, and Charlotte, and has welcomed over 10,000 in-person attendees and 60,000 virtual participants since 2018.
