Washington, DC - The BET Foundation (BETF), General Mills, Inc., Honey Nut Cheerios Brand, the Detroit Department of Health & Wellness Promotion, Wayne State University and a host of Detroit community organizations will bring together several thousand women of color from the Detroit area for a day of health education, fitness facts, entertainment and fun during the BETF Women's Health Symposium.

This multi-faceted, free health seminar will take place on Saturday, Aug. 15, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., at Wayne State University, Community Arts Auditorium and Student Center, 450 Reuther Mall, Detroit, MI. More than 2,500 women are expected to attend this day-long session. Gospel power-house Vickie Winans will perform and serve as the morning MC.

Attendance is free to women of all ages, and teens who are accompanied by an adult. Advance registration is required. Call 1-866-356-7348 or visit www.ahealthybet.com to register and for more information.

The symposium is a full day of health education and awareness, starting with breakfast refreshments, a fitness session, expert panel discussions and workshops with local health professionals, screenings, health exhibits and information provided by local health vendors.

Following a mid-day healthy cooking demonstration, lunch and entertainment, the afternoon will continue with additional free health screenings, workshops, vendor information and more. The day will culminate with an empowering performance by R & B Songstress Deborah Cox. Guests will receive free prizes and one lucky winner will receive two tickets to the taping of the 2009 BET Celebration of Gospel in December!

Kimberlydawn Wisdom, MD, vice president of community health education and wellness and Michigan's first surgeon general, will offer guidance on improving health outcomes as the keynote speaker. Dr. Wisdom is a board-certified emergency medicine physician who practiced for 20 years at the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit. She also founded and directed both the Institute of Multicultural Health at Henry Ford Health System and a National Minority Quality Forum award-winning community-based health screening initiative entitled African American Initiative for Male Health Improvement. She is an assistant professor of medical education at the University of Michigan Medical Center and serves as adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. In February 2003, Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm appointed her as Michigan's surgeon general.

"The BET Foundation is dedicated to reducing health disparities and inspiring women of color to make healthier lifestyle choices that can reduce obesity and other chronic health conditions," says Sonya Lockett, vice president of public affairs, BET Networks. "Through the Women's Health Symposiums, our goal is to offer comprehensive information that ultimately leads to healthier women, healthier families and healthier communities."

"We know so much more about women's health today than ever before, and it's vital that women be empowered in the areas of fitness and nutrition to avoid the chronic diseases that affect women of color," says Michigan Surgeon General Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom. "As the primary decision makers around health in their families, women should be equipped with resources to advocate for themselves and their loved ones."

"We are keenly aware of the need to encourage women to think about their health and to be proactive in that pursuit," says Dr. Calvin Trent, director of the Department of Health and Wellness Promotion. "Our department is pleased to be a partner with the BET Foundation as a sponsor of the Women's Health Symposium. I strongly encourage women in metro Detroit to take part in this free event that could change their lives."

National health data shows that continuing disparities experienced by African Americans remain disproportionately high. Obesity, diabetes and strokes which are major contributors to prolonged illnesses and death, remain top health concerns among African American women and their families. The Women's Health Symposium offers participants a dynamic and entertaining setting in which they can learn about practical strategies to achieve healthier lifestyles, reduce obesity and address other chronic health concerns. During this day of open dialogue women are able to assess and gain more insight into their own health risks. For additional information, visit www.ahealthybet.com.

Schedule of Events:

8 - 8:55 a.m.

• Doors Open; On-site Registration/Check-In & Breakfast

8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• Free Health Screenings/Exhibits & Vendors Open

9 - 11 a.m.

• Morning Workout

• Welcome & Opening Remarks - Vickie Winans, Mistress of Ceremony

• Keynote Address: Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom, Michigan Surgeon General

• Panel Discussion and Expert Q & A on: mental wellness and building healthy families

11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

• Workshops: Round One

- Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease
- Reproductive Health
- Mental Health and Stress
- Oral Health and Chronic Disease
- Fitness, Nutrition and Digestive Health Care
- Women & Clinical Trials and Diabetes
- Healthy Aging and Fitness
- Living With a Chronic Disease
- Integrative Approaches to Health
- Health and Disability

12 - 1 p.m.  

• Lunch & Healthy Cooking Demonstration; Exhibit and Screenings Open

1 - 2 p.m.

• Repeat Workshops: Round Two

2 - 3 p.m.

• Closing Plenary: Performance by Deborah Cox, Prize Drawings and Final Remarks

3 - 4 p.m.

• Free Health Screenings/Exhibits & Vendors: Final Sessions

ABOUT BET FOUNDATION

The BET Foundation is a non-profit organization created to raise public awareness to the numerous health-related challenges within African-American communities. Established in 2003, the Foundation takes a pioneering step in addressing one of the leading behavioral-attributed health concerns among African-American women and families, obesity-related health concerns. Through specifically tailored initiatives and targeted campaigns, the BET Foundation aims to insure that African Americans live longer and healthier lives. The BET Foundation includes public service announcements (PSAs); targeted programming segments; seminars and health forums; health brochure materials; a dedicated toll-free hotline and website; and a nationwide Healthy BET Fitness Challenge contest to provide the tools and knowledge necessary for communities to develop long lasting healthy lifestyle habits. For more information, please visit www.ahealthybet.com.