When Kayla Collins joined OUTMemphis in 2022 as Director of Health & Wellness, she knew she wanted to do more than provide high level health resources to the Black LGBTQ+ community — she wanted to provide an expanded sense of belonging at OUTMemphis.
“In Memphis, our Black community suffers different health and economic disparities,” says Collins. “OUTMemphis’s history includes eras where we predominately engaged with our white LGBTQ+ community. I am proud that our more recent health and housing programs have started to close the gap in health outcomes amongst LGBTQ+ people of color. One of my biggest goals is ensuring more folks know about our services that are for them and led by staff who have lived their stories. The Mind, Body, and Spirit Fair is a place where people of color — Black, Brown, Latine individuals — can all come and feel included in this space.”
One of the ways Collins makes this a reality is the Black History Month Mind, Body and Spirit Health & Wellness Fair — an annual celebration of community, diversity, and well-being held each February in commemoration of the achievements, struggles, and resilience of the Black community.
“Our mission is to create a space that fosters education, knowledge, resources, and support, with a special focus on uplifting the Black community,” Collins says. “We aim to provide access to essential components and services for the mind, body, and spirit.”
This year, OUTMemphis’s Health & Wellness team is bringing together nearly 40 community partners and Black-owned businesses, each offering an array of services and giveaways, all at no cost to attendees. Collins notes that promoting gender-affirming care and equity within the Black community was top of mind when planning this year’s event.
“We definitely wanted this to be inclusive because, as a Black community, we need to be united. We need to be accepting of our trans and non-binary brothers and sisters because our Black trans community members are at much higher risk for stigma and health disparities. At the end of the day, we’re all in this together.”
Free services at the Mind, Body, and Spirit Fair range from Covid and flu vaccinations and blood pressure screenings to makeup demos and nail art. There will also be food, music, and opportunities to win prizes throughout the day, including gift cards and swag for those who stop by OUTMemphis’ booth for an HIV/HCV screening.
Members of OUTMemphis’ Health & Wellness Team table at a community event. From right: Kayla Collins, Jenieya Peterson, and TaMesha Prewitt
“All of the fun stuff, that’s the best part,” laughs Collins. “We will have a 360º photo booth so attendees can capture the moment with their friends and families. We will have music by DJ Solo, a renowned Black DJ in Memphis, to keep the crowd entertained and grooving. We’ll have food provided by local caterers, including hibachi and soul food available.
This year’s event will include a new feature to the Fair — a dedicated space where folks can access donated health and wellness supplies.
“From 5–6:30 p.m., we will open up a donation space where individuals in need can come in and get a basket of toiletries and other household items such as toilet paper, laundry detergent, and cleaning products, while supplies last. A few of our partner organizations have also offered to donate parenting items, like diapers, plus menstrual products and other hygienic products for those who need it.”
Collins emphasizes that this event is for everyone, no matter how they identify.
“Our vision is for this event to be really big,” Collins says. “I would definitely love for everyone to tell their moms, their brothers, their aunties, their uncles, their cousins, anyone that you may know that may benefit from this Fair. Even if they’re not in need of immediate services, I want everyone to come in fellowship with us and bond with the community. And for our Black LGBTQ+ community to know that they have a safe space with us here at OUTMemphis.”
Black History Month Mind, Body, and Spirit Health & Wellness Fair
February 22, 2024
4:00–7:30pm
2851 Lamb Place, Memphis, TN, 38118
FAIR PARTICIPANTS:
| Aflac | Health and Life insurance |
| Cibstrology | Divination/Astrology Services & Holistic Wellness products |
| Community ChiroCare | Free Spinal Screenings for chiropractic care |
| Creations By Mele | Original artwork, prints, handmade jewelry |
| Diana Townsend – Author | Local self published books with a focus on black woken and their mental health |
| Friends For All – The Haven | HIV Testing, stigma reduction and condom distribution |
| Hope House Memphis | HIV Testing (in person or take-home test), HIV Education |
| Journey with Jerrika | Mental wellness/mindful engagement |
| Latino Memphis | Information and referral, SNAP/WIC application Assistance, digital literacy/workforce development courses, immigration legal services, health and nutrition workshops, etc |
| Lauren Madlock, PsyD LLC | Mental Health |
| Love Doesn’t Hurt | Crisis Intervention, Educational Sessions, Trainings, and Consultation |
| McKenzie Co. | Beaded jewelry |
| Mcm’s Luxury Collection | Make up, lashes, etc |
| Memphis Area Prevention Coalition | HIV/HCV testing, naloxone training, prevention and education materials |
| Mommy and Miya Essentials | Skincare/ Beauty |
| My Sistah’s House | Housing |
| Oak Street Health | Primary Care for adults with Medicare |
| Ocerene | Doula, Spiritual advisory, candles, oils, herbs |
| Orixa Healing Arts Wellness and Spiritual Centre | Expressive Arts, Mindful Meditation, and Sound Healing |
| Partnership to End AIDS Status (PEAS) | HIV and Hep C testing |
| Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi | Education Services, HIV Testing, condom distribution and swag |
| Raiz – Planned Parenthood | Health services, community services, Spanish language resources |
| Seedco, Midsouth Regional Office | Medicare (TennCare/CoverKids) Enrollment and Renewal Assistance, Closed looped referrals to SNAP, WIC, and additional wraparound services, as well as direct resources for fathers/father figures. |
| Shelby County Government Health Disparities | Educational Materials on Health Disparities Plaguing the community |
| Shelby County Health Department | Tenncare Prenatal-Free mammograms and Pap tests |
| Shelby County Health Department Health Disparities Team | Educational Literature on COVID-19, Monkey Pox, HPV, Flu and Hepatitis A/B |
| Shelby County Health Department – Ryan White | HIV services and resources, Ryan White Part A/MAI/EHE funds and resources |
| Shelby County Health – Sexual Health Section | Sexual Health Exam & Treatment (in-clinic) |
| Shelby County Health WIC | Supplemental nutritional food, formula, and juice |
| ShotRx | Covid & Flu Vaccinations |
| St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital | HIV Care and Prevention, HIV Education, and Community Engagement |
| The Collective Healing Space, LLC | Trauma-informed mental health services, including individual, couples, family, and group therapy |
| Tosher’s Backyard | A plethora of Holistic care for body, and spirit |
| Transitional Reentry Adult Program (T.R.A.P) | Reentry organization |
| University of Memphis School of Public Health | Educational |
| UTHSC Nursing BSa | Blood pressure checks and health pamphlets |
| Waisted Aura | tie on waist beads for weight loss |
