ALEXANDRIA, La. (6/14/2026) — Men, families, healthcare advocates, and community leaders gathered Saturday at True Vine Missionary Baptist Church for the Phi Beta Sigma Men’s Health Fair, an event focused on improving physical and mental health outcomes across Central Louisiana.
Hosted by Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., the event took place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church’s campus on Broadway Avenue. The fair featured educational resources, health information, discussions on mental wellness, and a panel conversation addressing challenges facing men in the community.
Increase Awareness, Promote Early Detection
Organizers said the goal was simple: increase awareness, promote early detection, and encourage men to take a more active role in their health.
The event addressed several major health concerns affecting men, including prostate cancer, colon cancer, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
During a recent Let’s Talk interview on UrbanCast, Dr. Francis Powell stressed the importance of treating mental health with the same seriousness as physical health.
“Mental health is health,” Powell said. “Just as we monitor our blood pressure and blood sugar, we should also pay attention to our emotional and psychological well-being.”
Powell explained that mental health affects how people think, cope with stress, make decisions, and interact with others. He encouraged community members to view seeking help as a normal part of maintaining overall wellness.
The event also focused on breaking long-standing stigmas that often prevent men from seeking care.
Kevin Simmons, president of the local Phi Beta Sigma chapter, said asking for help should never be viewed as weakness.
“We want our Black men, their families, and the community to know you don’t have to suffer in silence,” Simmons said during the UrbanCast discussion. “You definitely don’t have to walk on this path alone.”
Family Members Often Play a Critical Role
Organizers emphasized that family members often play a critical role in encouraging men to schedule appointments, attend screenings, and seek support when needed.
The fair included information on mental health resources, physical health education, and conversations about questions men should ask their healthcare providers. A panel discussion gave attendees an opportunity to hear candid perspectives on health challenges and potential solutions within the community.
The program specifically sought to increase awareness and encourage help-seeking behavior among African American men and boys while providing practical information that participants could take back to their families.
Phi Beta Sigma leaders said community-based events remain important because trusted spaces often help people become more comfortable discussing sensitive health concerns.
As the event concluded Saturday, organizers reiterated a message shared throughout both UrbanCast interviews and the health fair itself: early action saves lives, and taking care of physical and mental health benefits entire families and communities.
For attendees, the day served as a reminder that health is not limited to what happens inside a doctor’s office. It also includes the conversations, support systems, and community connections that help people live healthier lives.
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