BE WELL. BE MORE. A Black Community Wellness Day

Name: BE WELL. BE MORE. A Black Community Wellness Day
Start: 2026-05-23T14:00:00-07:00
End: 2026-05-23T19:00:00-07:00
Location: 406 W. 2nd St, Downtown Pomona, CA

Schedule

Sat May 23 2026 at 02:00 pm to 07:00 pm

UTC-07:00

Location

406 W. 2nd St, Downtown Pomona, CA | Pomona, CA

BE WELL. BE MORE.
A Black Community Wellness Day
Presented by the African American Advisory Alliance - Pomona
Pomona, CA | Saturday, May 23, 2026
POMONA, CA — The African American Advisory Alliance proudly announces Be Well Be More: A Black Community Wellness Day, a landmark inaugural event taking place on Saturday, May 23, 2026, in Downtown Pomona, California. This groundbreaking event is a celebration, a call to action, and a healing space — rooted in the richness of Black culture and centered on the holistic well-being of our community.
Already generating enthusiasm well beyond its first year, community members have widely expressed their desire to see Be Well Be More become an annual tradition — a testament to the deep need and hunger for spaces that honor Black wellness, joy, and dignity.
BEMORE in Health & Wellness: Our Strategic Vision
Be Well Be More is anchored in the Alliance’s strategic Aim — BE MORE in Health & Wellness — a framework built upon three foundational pillars:
Culturally Derived Practices — Promoting health and healing through practices that honor our rich cultural traditions, ancestral knowledge, and lived experiences.
Nurturing Spaces Rooted in Cultural Identity — Creating environments where Black individuals and families feel seen, affirmed, and safe to pursue their wellness journey authentically.
Community as a Resource of Healing — Recognizing that our greatest strength lies within us — in our relationships, our stories, and our collective care for one another.
Central to this vision is a steadfast commitment to advocating for equitable access to mental and physical health resources, ensuring that every life in our community thrives in vibrancy, wellness, and dignity.
Featured Activations & Experiences
Be Well Be More is not a passive event — it is a living, breathing experience designed for the whole family. From ancient healing traditions to joyful street-level fun, every activation reflects the depth, creativity, and spirit of Black wellness culture.
Movement & Body
Kemetic Yoga — An ancient Egyptian practice of yoga rooted in African tradition, led by practitioner Aja Whitten. Accessible to all ages and bodies, this session invites participants into movement as a form of ancestral connection and restoration.
Capoeira Ngola — A powerful fusion of African martial arts, dance, and music. Instructor Brian Shields leads this dynamic demonstration and participatory experience that honors the Angolan roots of this transformative practice.
Ayzosh: Meditation & Movement — A grounding, culturally rooted meditation and movement experience facilitated by Sunny S.O.O.N. — designed to restore the mind, body, and spirit through intentional breathwork and conscious movement.
Equine Therapy & Livestock — One of the day’s most unique and family-beloved offerings: Rebel Ranch brings horses and livestock for an immersive equine therapy experience, proven to support emotional healing, reduce stress, and build connection for children and adults alike.
Sound & Spirit
Sacred Earth Sound Bath — Drift into a state of deep healing as Dionne Williams guides participants through a full immersive sound bath experience. Using crystal singing bowls, afro-indigenous instruments, ancestral rhythmic traditions, breathwork and guided stillness, this activation restores nervous system balance creating an immersive healing experience.
Music — Soulful music curated by DJ Black & Miles throughout the day creates an atmosphere of joy, celebration, and community — keeping the energy alive from morning to close.
Red Light Therapy — An innovative wellness technology station offering red light therapy sessions — known for supporting recovery, circulation, skin health, and mood regulation. A crowd-favorite conversation starter for attendees exploring modern wellness tools.
Mental Health & Healing
Conversations with a Therapist with James Curtis — Destigmatizing mental health one conversation at a time. Community members are invited to sit with licensed therapist James Curtis for open, approachable dialogue about mental wellness, healing, and seeking support.
Healing Art Activation by Kabila & Conceptual Art Therapy — Art as medicine. Kabila and Conceptual Art Therapy facilitate a hands-on healing art experience that uses creative expression as a pathway to emotional processing, self-discovery, and community connection.
‘ME’ by BlakJun — Gallery Wall Installation — Gracing the gallery walls of the event is an original visual art installation by BlakJun the Artist. Titled “ME,” this powerful work invites attendees into a journey of Mental Health, Black identity, self-affirmation, and creative expression — transforming the event space into a living gallery.
Family & Community Fun
All Wheels Skate — One of the most joyful and photogenic activations of the day: All Wheels Skate transforms the street into a rolling celebration. Roller skaters of all ages are welcome in this vibrant, community-wide block-style experience.
E-Bike Activation with Pomona Acts — Pomona Acts brings e-bikes to the event, offering rides and education on active, sustainable transportation as a pathway to physical health and environmental equity. A fun and forward-thinking activation for all ages.
Community Resources & Marketplace
SGV AAIMM — San Gabriel Valley African American Infant & Maternal Mortality initiative — bringing critical reproductive and maternal health resources directly to our community.
City of Pomona Neighborhood Services — Connecting residents to local programs, housing support, and civic resources that strengthen the foundation of family and community life.
Alliance Black Marketplace — Shop, discover, and support local Black-owned businesses and wellness practitioners as our Alliance Black Marketplace brings commerce and community together in one vibrant space.
Inside the Alliance Cultural Center: Workshops & Conversations
Held inside the Alliance Cultural Center, a curated series of workshops and community conversations offers attendees the chance to go deeper — learning practical tools, sharing honestly, and growing together in a supported environment.
Community Conversations
Session 1 — What We Carry
This conversation creates space to talk honestly about stress, pressure, and stigma in the Black community. Together, we’ll name what we’re holding personally, collectively, and across generations. You’re welcome to share, listen, or simply be present.
Session 2 — What Helps and What Heals
This session shifts toward care, resilience, and connection. We’ll explore what actually helps us get through hard seasons, what support looks like when it feels right, and how we care for ourselves and each other. The focus is on shared wisdom, practical insight, and collective healing — not fixing or forcing solutions.
Featured Workshops
“Off the Dome: Improv Play Time”
This improv workshop is a fun, low-pressure space where participants can explore creativity, build confidence, and connect with others. Through games and guided exercises, you’ll learn the fundamentals of improv — listening, collaboration, and thinking on your feet. No experience needed, just a willingness to show up, be present, and have fun. Expect lots of laughter, community building, and tools to feel more expressive both on and off the stage.
Hosted by 3 Lines Collective | Maya Gwynn is a multidisciplinary creative, entrepreneur, and community builder dedicated to uplifting marginalized voices through storytelling and art. Founder of The 3 Lines Collective and The Surge Shop, and radio host for Black Perspectives IE on KVCR News.
“Find Your Voice: Exploring Confidence through Singing”
This workshop offers an encouraging space to explore confidence through singing. Using simple vocal exercises, participants will support self-expression, connection, and ease in their voice. A low-pressure, judgment-free environment where all experience levels are welcome. Come as you are and leave with tools to feel more comfortable and confident using your voice.
Hosted by FYVE Studio | Summer Reign is a vocal coach who placed in the Top 11 on The X Factor USA (Season 3) and has toured nationally with Radio Disney. Trained by mentors including Nick Cooper and Billy Purnell, she is passionate about helping others grow their voices in a healthy, organic, and enjoyable way.
“Build, Protect, Grow: From Getting By to Getting Ahead”
This workshop helps individuals and families move from survival to structure. Breaking down how money really works through concepts like the cash flow quadrant, protection strategies, and building long-term wealth through intentional planning. This workshop isn’t about judgment — it’s about building a foundation that lasts.
Hosted by Kevin Holley | Kevin Holley is Pomona bred, a product of PUSD, and a United States Marine Corps veteran whose discipline and work ethic were shaped by his service. He has spent his post-Marines career in the automotive and tax industries, focused on helping people make smarter financial decisions.
Social Media First Aid
This workshop is all about building healthier relationships with social media, protecting your mental health, and learning how to support yourself or someone else when things start to feel heavy online — whether you’re a young person, a parent or caregiver, or just someone who uses social media (so… all of us!).
Hosted by the Social Media Research Institute (SMRI) | SMRI was founded to address the urgent challenges social media poses to mental, physical, and behavioral health. By collaborating with academics, parents, policymakers, and professionals worldwide, SMRI provides pathways for studying how social media influences health and well-being — and creates world-class solutions that foster safer, healthier digital communities.
“Every activation at Be Well Be More was chosen with intention. Whether you come to skate, to heal, to learn, or simply to breathe — there is something here for you. This is what it looks like when a community pours into itself.”
— African American Advisory Alliance
Community Partners
Be Well Be More is made possible through the generous partnership of leading institutions committed to the health and empowerment of the Pomona community:
Take Action LA in collaboration with LA County Dept of Mental Health
Eastside Arts Initiative through Alliance Artist Incubation Pathway
Western University of Health Sciences
School of Arts & Enterprise
Athens Services
City of Pomona
Downtown Pomona District
Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center
These partners bring together expertise in healthcare, education, environmental stewardship, civic engagement, and community development — creating a truly holistic wellness experience for all attendees.
Looking Ahead: A Movement in the Making
Though Be Well Be More is celebrating its inaugural year, the vision is already larger than a single day. Community response has been overwhelming, with many calling for this event to be established as an annual cornerstone of Black wellness in the Pomona Valley. The African American Advisory Alliance is committed to building on this momentum, deepening partnerships, and expanding resources year after year.
About the African American Advisory Alliance
The African American Advisory Alliance is a community-driven organization dedicated to empowering Black individuals and families through advocacy, education, and culturally responsive programming. Through initiatives like BEMORE in Health & Wellness, The Alliance works to dismantle systemic barriers and build a future where every member of the Black community can live fully and freely.
Media Contact
Chara Swodeck
African American Advisory Alliance - Pomona
Phone: (909) 784-0122
Email: [email protected]
Website: pomona4As.com/BeWellBeMore
Every Life Thrives in Vibrancy, Wellness, and Dignity.
Free Registration at Pomona4As.com/BeWellBeMore