
Welcome to the first global summit on Black Health Matters, “Flattening the Curve” virtual sponsored Black Health Matters (USA),Birmingham City University and United Community Activity Network (UCAN)
Birmingham had identified disproportionate health inequalities that have made a considerable impact on the lives of the Black community, long before Covid 19. As a result, we have teamed up with local academics, sport organisations, food foundations, corporate and community partners to raise awareness and developed our solution focused programme ‘This Is My City’.
This Is My City is a 4-part scheme celebrating the identity of the communities that settle in the city. Our mission is to amplify the social conditions that create barriers to achieve healthy lifestyles.
We deliver mobile health outreach and inclusive wellness projects, which are informed by local need, led by our members and supported by evidence-based approaches through our extended medical and academic team.
Our community programme is funded by the annual ‘This Is My City Festival’, which brings people from the British commonwealth countries together through food, sports, music, arts and culture. The project has been endorsed by the Commonwealth Games organising committee through United by Birmingham 2022 programme.
As part of our 2-day digital festival, we are proud to host our first Black Health Matters Summit, a series of informative engaging seminars, to raise awareness of the risk factors and chronic diseases that disproportionately impact the Black community. Our aim is to showcase best practice and discover new approaches to flatten the curve of health inequalities in the UK. UCAN Birmingham will continue to discuss and collaborate with partners to deliver solutions, as part of our ‘This Is My City’ programme.
With an expansive list of credits in film, theatre and television David Harewood is perhaps best known for his starring role on Showtime’s hit series, “Homeland” as David Estes, the Director of the CIA’s Counterterrorism Center alongside Claire Danes and Damian Lewis. Born in Small Heath Birmingham, England, David first began his acting career as a member of the national Youth Theatre before training at the Revered Performing Arts Theatre for student productions of modern and classic plays in London, RADA. At the young age of 18, David gained a place at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. In 2012, Queen Elizabeth II bestowed David with an Order of the British Empire (MBE).
Ruby Turner was born in Jamaica and grew up in Montego Bay. Her Grandfather sang the lead in one of the Island’s Gospel Groups. Moving to England when she was 9, Ruby has lived here ever since.
“Soul, Gospel, and R&B : Ruby Turner is truly the genuine article. Blessed with a voice that can breathe life and meaning into any song, whether it be a passionate ballad or a fast groove” – The Guardian
Her career to date has always had many unexpected twists and turns with major tours, theatre and TV appearances, and touring with Jools Holland, the future continues to look positive. On the 4th June 2012 Ruby performed ‘You Are So Beautiful’ with Jools Holland at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Concert outside Buckingham Palace in London. In autumn 2012 Ruby was a guest judge on BBC ‘The Choir: Sing While You Work with choirmaster Gareth Malone’ and in 2013 Ruby was a guest judge on BBC ‘Songs of praise gospel choirs competition. In June 2016 Ruby was awarded an MBE.
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