YWCA Kicks Off Annual 'Stand Against Racism' Campaign

Starting Thursday, the YWCA is kicking off the first day of its annual “Stand Against Racism” campaign.

There are four events taking place over the next few days as an initiative to address racial inequality when it comes to health issues both nationally and within the Tulsa community.

YWCA Tulsa CEO Julie Davis said their annual campaign is used to raise awareness of the negative impact of structural and institutional racism in our communities. This year’s theme is titled “From Declarations to Change: Addressing Racism as a Public Health Crisis” and will feature several events over the next four days.

Thursday’s event is a community healthcare enrollment assistance event at the YWCA, and then Friday through Sunday there will be a healing yoga event, a panel on addressing racism in women’s health care, and a fresh produce drive-thru giveaway. See the full list and details below.

April 22, 2021

Community Healthcare Enrollment Assistance 

When: 4 - 7:00 pm

Where: YWCA Tulsa East Community Center at 8145 E 17th Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74112. 

This event will be an opportunity for community members to enroll in health care coverage and receive assistance from

Bilingual Blue Cross Blue Shield representatives to provide education or assistance to anyone with questions or concerns about how to qualify and enroll in affordable health care coverage. 

April 23, 2021 

Moving Meditation – Healing Space for BIPOC Trauma 

When: 6 - 7pm

Where: John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park, 302-322 N Elgin Ave, Tulsa, OK 74120

This restorative yoga series will be designed to help relieve BIPOC trauma rooted in decolonizing the stigmas around yoga practices and empowering a healing journey triggered by racial trauma.

April 24, 2021 

Virtual Women’s Health Panel; Addressing Systemic Racism in Healthcare 

When: 3 - 4 pm

This opportunity will provide education to individuals about health advocacy, financial empowerment, racism as a social determinant, healthy food access, and educational resources for how to be successful in a climate with limited options. 

Panelist: Dr. Leah Upton -- Medical Director for Community Health Connection, Krystal Reyes (CFO of City of Tulsa), Eunice Tarver (VP TCC Student Success and Equity), and Sherry Laskey (Community Health Empowerment Program) 

April 25, 2021

Food Daze; A Fresh Produce Drive-Thru Event 

In partnership with the Met Cares Foundation & EduRec Tulsa 

When: 3-5pm

 Where: Hawthorne Elementary (1105 E 33rd St N, Tulsa, OK 74106) AND YWCA Tulsa East Community Center (8145 E 17th St, Tulsa, OK 74112).

This will be an opportunity for anyone in need of fresh produce, groceries, and healthy food options. The healthy produce is provided by R&G Family Grocer and distribution.

Davis said these racially motivated topics need to be discussed and action needs to be taken more now than ever.

“All of those things have an impact on our community and the more we can raise awareness the more we can be actively working together to address those disparities and create a world where equity exists,” Davis said.

Every event is free of charge and open to the public.