Healthy Oakland Kicks-off Community Events and Activities on Sept. 11; Event to Help Reclaim,...

News Editors/City Desks

OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 9, 2002

In an all-out effort to stop the city's alarming homicide rate, and address health disparities that exist in communities of color, Healthy Oakland presents "Save A Life 2002," four days of non-denominational

"This is our second year presenting a community-wide event that focuses on reducing violence and improving health," said Elder Raymond E. Lankford, executive director, Healthy Oakland. "Coronary heart disease, strokes, cancer and homicide are serious health care issues facing our community. Through thought-provoking speakers, free health screenings and workshops, and a community-wide health fair and rally against violence, people of all ages will be armed with information and hope instead of guns and despair as we begin to reclaim, repair and restore our city," added Lankford. "The violence has to stop!"

"Save A Life" events run Wednesday, Sept. 11, though Friday, Sept. 13, at the Center of Hope Community Church, 8411 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. The activities on Sept. 11 begin at 10:30 a.m., with the presentation of "Legacy of Faith," a KQED-TV-produced video honoring the relatives of victims who have been killed in Oakland this year.

At noon, Bishop Jerry W. Macklin of Hayward's Glad Tidings Church of God In Christ will deliver the "Save A Life" kickoff address. Following Bishop Macklin's presentation, gospel-recording artist Cynthia Carter Hill will present the Bay Area premiere of I've Been Thinkin', a song dedicated to the families of Sept. 11 victims and those who have experienced senseless violence. The song's lyrics inspired the naming of "Save A Life 2002."

"When members of the Healthy Oakland planning team heard I've Been Thinkin', which speaks to the importance of saving lives and ending senseless violence, we all felt the lyrics captured the essence of our event. The song needed to be shared with the community," said Lankford.

The Sept. 11 evening program at Center of Hope begins at 6:00 p.m., with the Non-Violence Institute from New York City presenting a violence-prevention workshop, followed by disease screenings and a non-denominational worship service beginning at 7:30 p.m., that will feature Evangelist Keven Kim of Los Angeles. In addition, the California Transplant Donor Network, one of the "Save A Life" sponsors, will present educational workshops on organ donation each night at the fellowship services. The entertainment for the evening will feature praise dancer Jetuan DeArman and the Dance Theatre of Gospel, the Center of Hope Sanctuary Choir, Eric Claybon and Reigh, and gospel artists Easop, Higher Vision, Yolanda Herring and Cynthia Carter Hill.

On Thursday, Sept. 12, the program begins at 6:00 p.m., with a diabetes workshop sponsored by the Bayer Corporation, disease screenings by the James A. Watson Wellness Center, and workshops focusing on men's and women's health issues. The evening's keynote fellowship speaker will be Pastor K.R. Woods of the Covenant Worship Center in Berkeley, with the Center's Mass Choir, the Men of God, the Killian Family, and inspirational recording artist Moogie also performing.

Friday's fellowship services on Sept. 13 will focus on youth and will feature a youth choir made up of young people from the Bay Area. The health workshops begin at 6:00 p.m., and will focus on Juvenile and Type II Diabetes, and other youth health issues. The 7:30 p.m. keynote speaker will be Pastor Jeremy Shane Perry of Rosamond's Abundant Blessings Church. Additional entertainment will include youth praise dancers and gospel artist Agerman.

Rally Against Violence and Health Fair

The culminating "Save A Life 2002" event will be Healthy Oakland's 2nd annual rally against violence and health fair on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Verdese R. Carter Park, 98th and Bancroft, Oakland.

"This will be one of the largest events of its kind," said Lankford. "We're expecting more than 5,000 people. During the day, we'll have disease and dental screenings, more than 50 health and social-service information booths, 2,000 bags of food that will be given away, along with clothing giveaways, and free food and refreshments for those attending. There'll be youth and adult basketball, drawings for great prizes, and games and activities for young people, including a special reading tent and book-giveaway for kids sponsored by the Transplant Network. It will be a day of fun with a focus on reclaiming and restoring our community," said Lankford.

He added that the "Save A Life" entertainment stage will feature: a special guest appearance by Dwayne Wiggins of Tony, Toni, Tone, along with Born 2 B Poets, the Source of Light Band, comedians Mother Onion and J-Red, gospel and inspirational singers Cynthia Carter Hill, Moogie, Big E, Easop, Daughters of Zion, Renaissance, Angels of Essence, Killian Family, and Agerman, jazz saxophonist Sonny, and the youth mass choir. According to Lankford, the participants continue to grow as area performers embrace the importance of the "Save A Life" rally.

Healthy Oakland is a community-based non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of health in Alameda County. For "Save A Life 2002," Healthy Oakland is collaborating with: the Pastors of Oakland Association, Center of Hope Community Church, ACTS Full Gospel Church, California Transplant Donor Network, Kingdom Builders Alliance, SoulBeat Television Network, KQED, Wells Fargo Bank, Alameda County Public Health Department, the James A. Watson Wellness Center, and numerous other churches and organizations throughout Oakland. For more information about Healthy Oakland and the "Save A Life 2002" events and activities, call 510.858.7292.