Detroit is marking Black Women’s Health Month this August with a series of community events, including a recent “Food and Fellowship” gathering that combined a health-focused menu with open conversation about wellness. The observance, which recently received an official proclamation from the city of Detroit, was created to address the fact that “Black women lead over 12 different categories of health disparities, which are preventable, measurable differences in health outcomes,” according to Monica Sholar Anderson, founder of Black Women’s Health Month. “We wanted to take a month to raise awareness, to create opportunities for education and connecting to community organizations,” she said during an appearance on Live in the D.
The event drew support from Jazzy Jokes, a company known for curating comedy and music experiences, after co-founder Jeanna English learned about the initiative through a summer music series at the Sheraton Detroit Novi. “When I saw that Monica was doing Black Women’s Health Month, I got with the Sheraton and said, hey, what can we do to cultivate and just bring awareness to this initiative?” English said. Organizers said the goal was to bring women together not just for programming, but for organic conversation about health and community.
At the center of the event was a specially designed menu from the Sheraton Detroit Novi’s Novi Craft House, created by executive Sous chef Thomas Marsh. Marsh said the dishes, which included a Michigan honey-glazed salmon, a locally sourced Michigan salad and a “Marry Me” chicken sandwich, were built with loved ones in mind. “This menu was inspired by family because I think about my mother, I think about my auntie, I think about my daughter,” Marsh said. He added that nutrition was the driving force behind the offerings: “The only way that I know to help them is to give them healthy food.”
Organizers emphasized that Food and Fellowship is just one of many events planned throughout August in support of Black Women’s Health Month, with a full calendar of community partnerships available on the initiative’s website. Anderson encouraged residents to get involved before the month ends, noting that education, connection and celebration remain central to the effort’s mission throughout Detroit.
To watch the segment, click on the video above.