The 2012 Office of Minority Health (OMH) Black History Month theme is: "Black Women's Contributions to Health and Culture." This theme is a commitment to exploring the roles Black/African American women played in the making of America and one that we believe helps frame our activities around health in the context black history this year.

The Office of Minority Health and a committee representing a number of staff volunteers from divisions around the Department have planned a month-long series of events to help educate and bring awareness to employees across the state and the Capital Circle Office Center (CCOC) about Black/African American history and culture.

Black history can be attributed to Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who initially launched Negro History Week in 1926 as a way to draw national attention to the contributions of Black people throughout American History.  However, in 1976 with the 50th anniversary of Black History Week and the bicentennial of the country's independence, Black History Week was expanded to Black History Month and continues to be celebrated every February across the United States.

February 1, 2012 (Wednesday)

Black History Month Kick-Off Event

Building 4042
Room 301
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Activities:

• Opening song - National Black Anthem (Lift Every Voice) by Whitney Bowen.
  
• Opening remarks by Dr. Steven Harris, Deputy Secretary for Health and Director of the Office of Minority Health.
  
• Presentation by Dr. Martell Teasley, Assistant Professor of Social Work (FSU) entitled: "Black History and the African Diaspora".
  
• African Drum presentation by TutuOla Cultural Performance Collective.
  
• Music (Jazz, Gospel, Old and New School music, etc.).
  
• Soul Food Samples.

February 14, 2012 (Tuesday)

Black Culture Day

Building 4042
Room 301
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Activities:

• Lunch & Learn presentation - Black Women's Contribution to Health and Culture by Dr. Melvena Wilson, Acting Assistant Director, Office of Minority Health.
  
• Healthy Soul Food samples and cooking demonstration by Chef Sadiqa Williams- New Leaf Market.
  
• Encourage DOH staff to wear African attire.
  
• Display and exhibit of Black/African artifacts.
  
• Educational presentations on Black Women in History.
  
• Door Prizes

February 28, 2012 (Tuesday)

Lunch-n-Learn

Presentation - Diabetes and It's Effect on People of Color by Ms. Miaisha Mitchell, MSW

Building 4025
Room 301
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

February 2, 2012 (Thursday)
Building 4025 (local viewing)
Room 301
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Co-hosted by the Division of Family Health Services/Infant, Maternal, and Reproductive Health.

This Black History live presentation is presented by the Office of Minority Health, CCOC Planning Committee, Hillsborough CHD, University of South Florida, and Office of Workforce Development.

Presentation:
Dr. Adewale Troutman, MD, MPHA, MA, CPH
Topic: "Infant Mortality: Causes, Solutions and the Social-Determinants of Health affecting Black Women"

Online meeting information (doc, 53kb)

Conference call # 888-808-6959

Conference code # 6772513

February 8, 2012 (Wednesday)
Building 4042 (local viewing)
Room 301
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Co-hosted by the Division of Environmental Health/ Bureau of Environmental Public Health Medicine.

Presentation:
Dr. Richard Mizelle, Assistant Professor of History (FSU)
Topic: Oral Health and its Contribution to the Death of Deomonte Driver, age 12

Online meeting information (doc, 53kb)

Conference call # 888-808-6959

Conference code # 1454299

February 22, 2012 (Wednesday)
Building 4025 (local viewing)
Room 301
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Co-hosted by Disease Control/Bureau of HIV/AIDS Statewide Webinar Presentation

Presentation:
Maria Amance, MD, Hematologist
Topic: Sickle Cell Disease

Online meeting information (doc, 53kb)

Conference call # 888-808-6959

Conference code # 2744131181