‘Health equals freedom’: Juneteenth Unity Weekend kicks off with summit on HIV awareness

Aminah Johnson, a hairstylist and career counselor in Dallas, knows how difficult it is to talk about health and well-being in the Black community.

People get caught up in their everyday lives. They don’t always take the time to prioritize mental or physical health care, she said Thursday, as she joined dozens of others at the opening day of the Juneteenth Community Summit at the Crowne Plaza in Dallas.

“It’s very important to take time out to talk about this ... to prioritize what’s important for you,” she said, suggesting that she and her neighbors need to focus more on their physical and mental health.

The summit, which continues through the weekend, aims to get Black North Texans to better focus on their health — through HIV screenings and frank discussions about mental and sexual health.

Martese Prince, chief program officer at Abounding Prosperity, a nonprofit focused on providing HIV testing and health services to Black Texans, said the timing on Juneteenth is intentional.

“When we were originally established, we were an organization that was fighting epidemics and disparities in the Black and brown community. With Juneteenth being a holiday recognizing and celebrating the freedom of those same people, we just think … a part of freedom is health,” he said.

The four-day event, hosted by Abounding Prosperity and Dallas Southern Pride, creates a space for Black North Texans, especially those who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. The event has been hosted in some form since 1996.

Thursday kicked off with a conversation about women’s empowerment and sessions on sexual health. North Texas community vendors passed out resources such as condoms and information booklets. Over the weekend, their goal is to test 300 people for HIV.

“Juneteenth is a time when we have so many people that are gathering and celebrating. And so in that celebration, we just want to make sure that we always focus on the whole person and recognize how important your health is,” said Tamara Stephney, CEO of Abounding Prosperity.

As of 2023, almost 22,000 people are living with HIV in Dallas County, according to Dallas County Health and Human Services. Black residents are disproportionately affected by HIV.

Abounding Prosperity, Inc., also provides mental health and substance abuse counseling, a food bank and housing support for people living with HIV.

In addition to providing testing and healthcare access, Stephney said she hopes the weekend brings a sense of unity and freedom. The summit’s panels and parties are designed to create a safe space so people feel comfortable talking about their health.

Jennifer Scott helped lead Thursday morning’s session on Black women’s empowerment. A group of around 30 women went around the room, discussing their stories and challenges, with tears and laughter in equal parts.

“What is it that plagues you from day to day that you would want to discuss if you were sitting in the home around the kitchen table with your girlfriends?” Scott said.

Charlot Mai decided to attend the panel because he wanted to support the focus on marginalized communities. Juneteenth, to him, is a time to acknowledge everyone’s existence and well-being.

“I think people should always be concerned about their vessel,” he said.

The health summit will continue tomorrow with discussions on navigating relationships and identity living with HIV, before a Juneteenth pool party hosted by Dallas Southern Pride on Saturday.