Health Foundation of South Florida  
3rd Annual Black Health Summit  

Health Foundation of South Florida recently produced its third annual Black Health Summit on June 4th, 2024, hosted by Florida Memorial University. The Summit was powerful, bringing together nearly 400 attendees, including local and national health equity experts, community leaders, and healthy equity advocates. It explored the significant gaps in Black health outcomes in South Florida. 

The Summit was enriched by the contributions of our esteemed speakers. Daniel Dawes, JD, delivered an inspiring Keynote on the political determinants of health, while Zinzi Bailey, ScD, MSPH, provided a comprehensive analysis of the social determinants of health.  

The day was filled with invaluable insights and powerful connections, particularly inspired by the impactful discussions on driving “Big P” policy and “little P” organizational change. The candid and engaging lunchtime conversation with Wizdom Powell, PhD, MPH, and Luther Brewster, PhD, sharing solutions for racialized toxic stress added immense value to the policy and organizational panel talks.  

NBA Hall-of-Famer Alonzo Mourning’s stunning honesty and resilience were the perfect conclusion to a day that resonated with joy, relief, hope, and renewed purpose as he shared his personal health journey and stood with Nelson Adams, III, MD; Alexander Rundlet, JD; O’Neil Pyke, MD, MBA, SFHM; Armen Henderson, MD, MBA; Daniel Dawes, JD; and Brother Lyle Muhammad in closing the Summit together – leading all of us in a Pledge for Black Men’s Health and Well-Being 

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Black Health Summit co-chairs, Nelson L. Adams III, MD, and Cheryl Holder, MD, and the entire Host Committee for their tireless efforts in making this event a success.  

For all who contributed to making the day a wonderful success, thank you for also recognizing we “will persevere until the job is done.” Stay tuned for the Black Health Summit 2024 Summary Report as we continue our work towards achieving health equity for all communities.