BLACK mobile logo

california

community

Heart and Soul: A Celebration of Black Health, History, and Humanity

February 19, 2026

The George L. Stevens Senior Center hosted its 20th annual Black History Month celebration on February 13th, focusing on the theme "Heart and Soul: A Celebration of Black Health, History, and Humanity. " The event, organized collaboratively by UC San Diego's Black Women Inflammation & Tau Study and the Fourth District Seniors Resource Center, featured cultural performances, spiritual messages, and community recognition.

Who is affected

  • Senior community members attending the Fourth District Seniors Resource Center (FDSRC)
  • Nine Heart of Gold Award honorees: Ardelle Matthews, Herbert Argrow, Betty Stewart, Jamie Polk, Beverly Henry, Levana Bradley, and Sheila Shaw
  • DJ John Phillips (Heritage and Humanity Award recipient)
  • UC San Diego's Black Women Inflammation & Tau Study (BWITS) participants
  • FDSRC Board of Directors, Seasoned Ambassadors, and culinary team
  • Local community garden contributors

What action is being taken

  • No explicit ongoing actions are described in the article. The article reports on an event that already occurred on February 13th.

Why it matters

  • This celebration matters because it honors Black history, health, and community while addressing critical health education needs for senior populations. The event combines cultural celebration with practical health information, specifically focusing on cognitive health through the "Memory Matters" session about dementia warning signs, which is particularly relevant for the aging community. It also recognizes and validates the contributions of long-standing community members, strengthening intergenerational bonds and preserving cultural heritage.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint