RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — On Saturday, VCU Health welcomed the community to its first Cultural Festival aimed at promoting diversity and fostering healthier communities.
The event, held outside the VCU Medical Center on 12th Street from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 15, featured a blend of entertainment and health initiatives, drawing a diverse crowd eager to enjoy music, dance performances and prioritize their well-being through health screenings.
“This event is fantastic because it’s not just about having fun, it’s about taking care of ourselves,” attendee Arielle James said.
James told 8News she has never been to an event that offered free health screenings, but after going today, she hopes it will be discussed more widely.
Dozens of people gathered on VCU’s campus to participate in the festival’s activities. Food trucks, face painting, music and dance performances were all part of the festival.
The first 200 people who showed up to the event received free tickets for the food trucks.
In addition to free blood pressure and glucose screenings for anyone who wanted one, the festival also recognized June celebrations and holidays, including Pride Month, Juneteenth and Caribbean American Heritage Month.
“A lot of people don’t have access to going to a primary care physician, and the fact they’re doing blood pressure checks, sugar checks, something patients can have access to without insurance,” James said.
Ariana Barringtine, the director of supplier diversity at VCU Health, explained that the planning for this inclusive event began at the start of the year. Reflecting on the day, Barringtine expressed a commitment to expanding community involvement in future events.
“To involve as many diverse groups and people from the community as possible and so, taking the feedback we get this year to learn and to improve and increase participation next year,” Barringtine said.
Beyond health screenings and celebrations, VCU Health collaborated with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Reach Out and Read and the Children’s Hospital of Richmond to distribute hundreds of free books to children attending the festival.
To schedule a health screening with VCU Health, visit its website.
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — On Saturday, VCU Health welcomed the community to its first Cultural Festival aimed at promoting diversity and fostering healthier communities.
The event, held outside the VCU Medical Center on 12th Street from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 15, featured a blend of entertainment and health initiatives, drawing a diverse crowd eager to enjoy music, dance performances and prioritize their well-being through health screenings.
“This event is fantastic because it’s not just about having fun, it’s about taking care of ourselves,” attendee Arielle James said.
James told 8News she has never been to an event that offered free health screenings, but after going today, she hopes it will be discussed more widely.
Dozens of people gathered on VCU’s campus to participate in the festival’s activities. Food trucks, face painting, music and dance performances were all part of the festival.
The first 200 people who showed up to the event received free tickets for the food trucks.
In addition to free blood pressure and glucose screenings for anyone who wanted one, the festival also recognized June celebrations and holidays, including Pride Month, Juneteenth and Caribbean American Heritage Month.
“A lot of people don’t have access to going to a primary care physician, and the fact they’re doing blood pressure checks, sugar checks, something patients can have access to without insurance,” James said.
Ariana Barringtine, the director of supplier diversity at VCU Health, explained that the planning for this inclusive event began at the start of the year. Reflecting on the day, Barringtine expressed a commitment to expanding community involvement in future events.
“To involve as many diverse groups and people from the community as possible and so, taking the feedback we get this year to learn and to improve and increase participation next year,” Barringtine said.
Beyond health screenings and celebrations, VCU Health collaborated with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Reach Out and Read and the Children’s Hospital of Richmond to distribute hundreds of free books to children attending the festival.
To schedule a health screening with VCU Health, visit its website.