July 01, 2024
Juneteenth celebrations at TriHealth came in the form of film, food and fashion on Wednesday, June 19. Juneteenth celebrates the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas with the news that the more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state were free. In 2021, it became a federal holiday.
Festivities kicked off in cafes across the system with red-themed foods. Red is a symbolic color on Juneteenth, representing strength, endurance, and spirituality. Menus featured dishes, drinks, and desserts to celebrate the holiday. Davis Cookie Collection provided red velvet and strawberry cookies to several locations.
During the team member monthly town hall meeting, Tira Williams, Director with the Center for Health Equity, encouraged team members to wear red.
The biggest celebration happened across the system with a TriHealth film debut of “Breaking the Silence: A Black Nursing Documentary.” Created by Black Women Cultivating Change and the Black Nurses Network, this documentary brings to light the struggles faced by active nurses and nursing students and inspires action to create a more diverse and inclusive workforce. The film was sponsored by TriHealth and bi3.
The screening was held at TriHealth Baldwin, where President & CEO, Mark Clement, and Chief Health Equity Officer, Dr. Thomas Shockley, welcomed the attendees joining in person, virtually and at watch parties held at Bethesda Butler, Bethesda North and Good Samaritan. Carlos Crump shared a poem inspired by the holiday before Tira Williams introduced the 30-minute film.
At the end of the film, the producers received a standing ovation from the audience at Baldwin. Afterwards, filmmakers Deasa Dorsey and Ashley Glass, along with Tira Williams, provided more insight during a panel discussion. Dorsey and Glass shared what sparked them to take on the daunting but rewarding task of creating a documentary not only filled with dozens of interviews, but countless hours of research. They said it was a story that had to be shared because of their own experience and because nothing like this had been told in the form of a documentary. Williams, who is a registered nurse, shared how more voices and action are needed to address the concerns shared in the documentary by Black nurses. She also shared how proud she was of having an event like this at TriHealth to celebrate Juneteenth.
Glass and Dorsey said they will continue to screen the film to raise more awareness about racism in nursing and the stories of the amazing nurses featured in the film.
Special thanks to all team members who joined at Baldwin, online via the livestream, and those who gathered at watch parties at Bethesda Butler, Bethesda North, and Good Samaritan. Additional thanks to:
- The Center for Health Equity team
- A/V team of Lee Walters and Matt Alexander
- Caterers Soul Secrets and Davis Cookie Collection
- On-site coordinators from TRIBE employee resource group, as well as the Executive Assistants and staff at Baldwin, Bethesda North, Good Samaritan, and Bethesda Butler.
The celebration of Juneteenth at TriHealth was thoughtful and well done. Breaking the Silence- A Black Nursing Documentary was so impactful. As a nurse and a POC it definitely, highlighted the experiences I have encountered in my career. I feel that TriHealth is making the right strides in this area. -MFT
Posted by: Mary Terrell on July 03, 2024
Reply/View Reply
Very interesting story, well done ladies and TriHealth!
Posted by: Lovey Forte on July 03, 2024
Reply/View Reply
Love, Love, Love the video presentation and I'm glad to work at TriHealth! You all Rock!
Posted by: Kelly Jackson on July 03, 2024
Reply/View Reply
Love, Love, Love the video presentation and I'm glad to work at TriHealth! You all Rock!
Posted by: Kelly Jackson on July 03, 2024
Reply/View Reply