The Black Family Empowerment Day Wellness Summit Celebrates Community and Culture

By Najah Hill, Equity Leadership Coordinator

On Saturday, June 27, 2026, Black Child Development Institute, San Francisco (BCDI–San Francisco), welcomed families, children, educators, community leaders, advocates and partners to the second annual Black Family Empowerment Day Wellness Summit at the Southeast Community Center. The summit brought together community members of all ages for a day of connection, learning, wellness and celebration. As BCDI–San Francisco celebrates its first year of service, the event reflected our commitment to creating spaces where Black children are affirmed, families are empowered and communities thrive.

Throughout the day, attendees participated in workshops, conversations and wellness experiences focused on healthy living, leadership development, educational empowerment, cultural affirmation and community power-building. Participants embraced opportunities for reflection and restoration through wellness activities, including aromatherapy, vision boarding and community dialogue around building healthy relationships. These experiences created moments of self-care, creativity and imagining a brighter future.

A highlight of the summit was a meaningful conversation on food justice in San Francisco, where families, educators and advocates discussed barriers to accessing fresh, high-quality and culturally relevant foods.

Participants explored challenges such as rising grocery costs and limited access to healthy produce, while also sharing community-centered solutions to strengthen food access and family wellness.

The event also celebrated the connection between culture, food and wellness through a delicious Creole fusion food sampling experience featuring kitchen staples and flavors rooted in tradition, creativity and community. Families had the opportunity to explore how food can nourish not only the body, but also cultural identity, family connections and shared memories. Children enjoyed an African-themed Kids Zone featuring storytelling, spices, art, music, games and interactive activities. Young participants went on an imaginary trip to Africa, exploring hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) experiences designed to encourage creativity, curiosity, problem-solving and innovation.

We are grateful to our community partners, including WIC and CalFresh/SNAP, for sharing resources and connecting families to nutrition assistance and programs that support access to fresh, nutritious foods. We also thank our presenters, volunteers, families, and partners for helping make this event a success.

The connections made, conversations shared and partnerships strengthened during the summit will continue to impact families and communities throughout San Francisco. BCDI–San Francisco remains committed to advancing equity, supporting families and creating opportunities where every Black child is affirmed, empowered and able to thrive.

We attribute the event’s success to everyone who joined us and contributed to this meaningful celebration of community, wellness and possibility. We look forward to continuing this important work together.

Funding for this projected is provided in part by the San Francisco Department of Early Childhood. We also extend our appreciation to our event sponsors— Children’s Council of San Francisco, the San Francisco 49ers and Gallagher—for their partnership.

All photos by Silent Tunez Productions

About NBCDI

NBCDI is a national civil rights organization and the preeminent voice for Black children and families. NBCDI’s work is creating a world that benefits from the strengths and power of Black children. The organization focuses on the assets Black children bring to our world simply by being, and its efforts are centered around mobilizing communities and igniting movements for the health, safety and well-being of Black children and families. You are invited to read NBCDI’s Eight Essential Outcomes for child development and their transformative Afrofuturism and Systems Change paper.