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Council proclaims April 18, 2025, Black Wellness Week; community organizers thank city
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Summary
The Des Moines City Council issued a proclamation recognizing April 18, 2025 as Black Wellness Week. Community organizer Christina Blocker accepted thanks and described outreach work that used prior acknowledgment to increase screening and wellness checks.
The Des Moines City Council read and adopted a proclamation recognizing April 18, 2025 as Black Wellness Week and urged residents to join the observance.
Christina Blocker, a community organizer representing the group Elevate Black Wellness, thanked the council for the proclamation and described the community outreach benefits of last year’s recognition, including increased blood‑pressure and diabetes screenings. She described the group’s work as an example of targeted universalism — designing interventions that help specific underserved populations while improving outcomes for the broader community — and noted a community foundation (Greater Tacoma Community Foundation) was prepared to host a fund to support the organization’s work while it pursues nonprofit status.
The proclamation text read in council cited historical roots of Black wellness initiatives and urged a community‑driven approach that leverages existing resources for inclusive wellness programs. City staff said the governor has issued a similar proclamation, amplifying the observance.
Ending: Organizers and council members characterized the proclamation as a step toward coordinating outreach and screenings for Black residents and others in the community; Blocker said she would provide follow‑up materials to staff and the council.
