A Push Toward Wellness
Many attend Delta health event at Carver
From left: Chi Eta Phi Sorors Robbie Irvin, Elleton McCullough, Antonette Farmer, Doris Oliver, (front row) Brittany Gray and ChiChi Okoroji.Many attend Delta health event at Carver
Sorors from the local alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. engaged the community in a “Journey to Wellness” Saturday, in observance of the organization’s national Community Impact Day.
Soror Katina Rice leads the Zumba session.
Community members flocked to Carver High School’s Williams Gymnasium Saturday to take part in the event, which featured health screenings, a line dancing demonstration and a Zumba workout led by Soror Katina Rice.
“This year, the focus was fighting obesity,” explained Tameka Brown, chair of the chapter’s Physical and Mental Wellness Committee. “…The goal was just to make sure people are aware that you can do exercise and make it fun. That’s why we had a dance party as the theme.”
Brown, a cytogenetic technologist at Wake Forest Health Sciences, and her identical twin sister, Shareka Brown, joined the sorority 18 years ago as undergrads. The Bennett College alumna said she started doing Zumba two years ago.
“It has changed the way that I think about exercise,” she declared. “I’m not a person who likes to go in the gym and use equipment so Zumba really attracted me.”
Brown said she was hopeful Journey to Wellness might inspire some of the attendees to adopt new health habits that could enrich their lives as well.
The promise of Zumba was what attracted Imani McClure.
“I really wanted to do the Zumba – that’s what I’m looking forward to today,” related the Parkland IB Magnet High School senior. “I’ve never done it before.”
McClure, an aspiring fashion designer, is also a part of the Delta’s Jabberwock, an elegant affair designed to showcase the gifts and talents of the participants and support their educational journeys through college scholarships. McClure is bound for Parsons The New School of Design in New York City in the fall.
Members of Chi Eta Phi nursing sorority chapter at Winston-Salem State University conducted blood pressure screenings for participants during the event. 
Soror Antonette Farmer, a senior nursing major, praised the event.
“It’s really good promoting health for the community,” said the city native. “It’s a really good turnout.”
ChiChi Okoroji checks Geraldine Davis’ blood pressure.
Soror ChiChi Okoroji said Chi Eta Phi members enjoy helping other Greek letter organizations further their efforts within the community.
“We’re out in the community – we try to do community service at least once a month,” explained the Apex native. “…We’re all about Greek unity, so anytime whenever we can participate with another sorority or fraternity, we’re all in.”
Jabberwock participant Jalyn Brim said she attended the event Saturday in hopes of increasing awareness and support for Jabberwock, which will also be held in the Williams Gymnasium.
“I’m excited because I’ve never done something like this,” said the aspiring nurse, who has been selling candy to raise money for the May 19 event. “It’s a good experience.”
Brim, who is headed to UNC Greensboro in the fall, said getting a chance to meet and interact with members of Chi Eta Phi was an added bonus.
“I found people who are interested in the same things as me,” she related.
Jalyn Brim, Lisa Smith, and Imani McClure
Lumberton native Eyanna Thompson conducted glucose screenings for participants at the event.
“I think it’s a part of giving back to the community,” said Thompson, a senior in the clinical lab science program at WSSU. “Clinical lab scientists, (are) usually behind the scenes in the lab, but I think it’s very important and enlightening to be out here … as a health professional, we have to give back.”
Dr. George Harwell, chair of the Clinical Laboratory Sciences Department, said events like the Journey to Wellness provide valuable learning opportunities for his students.
“It’s very important for our students at WSSU to have clinical experiences within their own community,” Harwell said. “…Our students are learning in the labs, but they are also learning within health centers, the mobile clinic and other health fairs like this one today. It’s part of their complete education at Winston-Salem State University.”
Admission to the Journey to Wellness was a nonperishable food item. The event attracted over 120 attendees and amassed 336 nonperishable food items, which sorors donated to AIDS Care Service food pantry Monday. Chapter President Lisa Smith said she was pleased by the turnout at the event.
Journey to Wellness participants pause for a photo before the Zumba event.
“I think it’s wonderful that so many came to get their screenings done because it’s all about being healthy and this is one way we can help people to get healthy, to know their numbers,” said Smith, who has worked as a licensed insurance adjuster for the past two decades. “I’m just glad that the community came out to support us because we couldn’t do what we do without the support of the community. Those are the people that we aim to serve.”
