the central kentucky black family conference

DETAILS

Date: Saturday, March 29, 2025

 

Time: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

 

Location: 

UK Gatton Student Center

160 Avenue of Champions

Lexington, KY 40506

 

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

The Black Family Conference also marks the culmination of Project Ricochet’s Barbershop and Beauty Salon Initiative. This initiative has leveraged trusted community spaces to promote health education and foster community support. The conference brings together community members to reinforce the goals of promoting health for all, resilience, and unity withing the Black community, inspiring collective action for a future where every Black family can thrive. 


Key objectives of the conference include:

    • Providing a space for Black families to connect and collaborate on health and wellness strategies
    • Addressing health disparities and promoting health for all
    • Empowering the community through education, advocacy, and collaboration
    • Inspiring unity and solidarity to build resilience and advance well-being in the Black community

Participants will gain practical insights and resources to empower themselves and their families to prioritize health and well-being. Workshops led by experts and community leaders will cover topics such as:

    • Preventive care
    • Maternal and child health
    • Chronic disease management
    • Mental health
    • Tobacco cessation
    • Nutrition

The Black Family Conference also marks the culmination of Project Ricochet’s Barbershop and Beauty Salon Initiative. This initiative has leveraged trusted community spaces to promote health education and foster community support. The conference brings together community members to reinforce the goals of promoting health for all, resilience, and unity within the Black community, inspiring collective action for a future where every Black family can thrive.

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

*Detailed schedule coming soon*

TIME SESSION

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM 

Pre-Conference Programming  

Concurrent Sessions  

  • Floating Lotus Doula Service Training and Certification
  • Kentucky Black Farmers Association Meeting 
  • Health and Vendor Fair Set Up
11:00 AM
Conference Registration Opens
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Conference Features 

 

  • Health and Vendor Fair
  • The Sankofa Singers, Roots 101 Museum, Louisville, Kentucky 
  • “The Talking Drum”, Public Interviews, The Ricochet Effect Podcast and #IChampionHealth 
  • Cultural and Public Health Art Walk  
  • The Urban Art Collective, Project Ricochet 
  • Roots 101 African American Museum, Louisville, Kentucky
12:30 PM – 12:45 PM

Welcome and Purpose 

 

Dr. Abeni El-Amin, President, Project Ricochet and EMPOWER! Public Health Innovation Program Manager, Kinesiology & Health Promotion, College of Education, University of Kentucky 

 

Dr. Melinda J. Ickes, PhD 

Professor, Kinesiology and Health Promotion, Acting Associate Dean of Research, College of Education, University of Kentucky 

 

Representative, Anthem Medicaid

12:45 PM – 1:45 PM

Opening Keynote 

 

Dr. Jayne Morgan, MD, Vice President of Medical Affairs, Hello Heart 

1:45 PM - 2:00 PM
Networking and Vendor Break
2:00 PM - 2:45 PM

Concurrent Sessions 

  • New and Beginning Farmers Workshop, Kentucky Black Farmers Association (Session One) 
  • What’s Your Money Mindset? (Financial Literacy and Education), Dale Morgan, Foundation47 
  • UK PREVENT: EMPOWER (Session One) 
  • UK PREVENT: #IChampionHealth (Session One) 
  • University of Kentucky College of Education
2:45 PM - 3:00 PM
Networking and Vendor Break
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM

Concurrent Sessions 

  • Women Empowered by God, Yvonne Skinner, COGIJN 
  • The Mobile Mission Experience, Natalie Mims and Andrea Johnson 
  • UK PREVENT: EMPOWER (Session Two) 
  • UK PREVENT: #IChampionHealth (Session Two) 
  • UK Center for Health Equity Transformation 
3:45 PM – 4:00 PM
Networking and Vendor Break
4:00 PM - 4:45 PM

Concurrent Sessions 

The African American Barbershop and Beauty Shop Initiative, Project Ricochet (Sponsored by Anthem Medicaid)  

 

  • Barbershop Talk, Anthony Burdett, Well Groomed Barbershop 
  • Beauty Salon Talk, Rashida Thompson, Rashida’s House of Styles and Cultural Cut Barbershop and Dr. Carolyn Dunn, Carolyn’s Crown and Glory Hair Salon  
4:45 PM - 5:00 PM
Networking and Vendor Break
5:00 PM - 5:45 PM

Concurrent Sessions 

The African American Barbershop and Beauty Shop Initiative, Project Ricochet (Sponsored by Anthem Medicaid)  

 

  • Panel: Stronger Together! (Both Barbers and Salonists) 
  • UK PREVENT: EMPOWER (Session Three) 
  • UK PREVENT: #IChampionHealth (Session Three) 
5:45 PM - 6:00 PM
Networking and Vendor Break
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Closing Session and Next Steps

Presented by

PARTNERS

Black Family Conference Coalition:

  • Alfalfa Restaurant and Catering
  • Black Roots Farm
  • Bluegrass Community Health Center
  • Barbershop University (Titan Financial Legacy)
  • Church of God in Jesus Name (COGIJN)
  • Floating Lotus Doula Service 
  • Foundation47
  • Kentucky Cancer Program
  • Lexington Fayette County Health Department
  • Mobile Mission Experience
  • The Kentucky Black Farmers Association (KBFA)
  • UK PREVENT: EMPOWER, #IChampionHealth

Strategic African American Barbershop and Beauty Salon Partners:

  • The Lexington Academy of Barbering (The L.A.B.)
  • Plumber’s Barbershop
  • Cultural Cuts Barbershop
  • Rashida’s House of Style Beauty Salon
  • Carolyn’s House of Style and Beauty Salon
  • Keeping It Fresh at Monica’s Beauty Salon
  • Well Groomed Barbershop Parlor
  • The Business of Barbering Institute

SPONSORS

Diamond Level Sponsor

Platinum Level Sponsors

Gold Level Sponsors

Silver Level Sponsors

Bronze Level Sponsors

Community Partners

CONTACT

For more information, please contact:

 

Dr. Abeni El-Amin, Ph.D. – BA/OL, Ph.D. – PP/SC, Ed.D., D.PC, MPHA, MHA, MPsy – I/O, LSSMBB, CCHW


Project Ricochet, Chief Programming Officer

UK PREVENT: EMPOWER, Public Health Innovation Program Manager