Group hosts mental health fair, Africa Day celebration

KENTWOOD, Mich. (WOOD) — A Glimpse of Africa is hosting its first mental health and wellness fair and Africa Day celebration in Kentwood.

The event kicked off Saturday, and extra parking had to be arranged as a much larger crowd than expected showed up at Southeast Kelloggsville Elementary. Hundreds gathered for the wellness fair.

“A lot of times, we have a lot of young people who are not really aware about mental health. And then most times, I don’t feel like it’s something they want to talk about or is safe to talk about,” organizer Kawiye Jumale said. “So the vendors we have here today, it makes it safe for them to be able to go up to someone, approach them and sit down with them, and they will have that one-on-one conversation with them. It makes it more safe, more confidential.”

Among the food, music and vendors geared toward mental health, 14 teams are competing in the soccer tournament. Organizers say they’ve had players sign up from many different states, but most are first- or second-generation immigrants.

“This is a culturally sensitive, community healing space. And celebrating the different cultures that are presented here, but also helping them understand that that community healing is real … the focus is on everybody to just make people feel better,” A Glimpse of Africa CEO Fridah Kanini said. “And adding the physical aspect of a soccer tournament made people feel more encouraged to come. It makes people feel less stigma around the mental health.”

“Today was all about empowerment for the men and women of the African community,” Jumale said.

The fair continues Sunday at Southeast Kelloggsville Elementary, located at 240 52nd St. SE, from noon to 6 p.m.

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