Raleigh Walk

Photo by Alton Haywood  member of Men's Council 

Saturday, November 2, 2024 – The Raleigh-based Davie Street Presbyterian Church Men’s Council led by president William “Bill” Thomas attended the Duke/UNC Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center presents Black Men’s Health Symposium held on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at Central Pines Conference Center located at 4307 Emperor Blvd Suites 110, Durham, NC 27703. 

The Duke/UNC Alzheimer Research Center’s Black Men’s Health Symposium hosted by Rev. Henry Edmonds (lead organizer) was well-planned and programmed from 9 am to 12 noon.  “The Duke/UNC symposium literally modeled a congenial and professionally engaging lecture, workshop, and survey opportunities for today’s African American men,” says Bill Thomas. 

Participation included regional church representatives, community-based organizations, and student researchers guided by college professionals who addressed the questions and the follow-up needs of the symposium participants at the Central Pines Regional Council Center located at 4307 Emperor Blvd Suites 110, Durham, NC 27703. 

Primary topics included the dangers in well-known health disparities and disease interconnections impacting: 1) mortality, 2) life expectancy, 3) burden(s) of disease, 5) mental health, 6) lack of support and 7) research about adequate and effective care.

Featured speakers included: North Carolina Central University’s Dr. Christopher L. Edwards, a Clinical Psychology professor who on Saturday spoke about Black Men’s Health and “Cultural Diversity and Psychology”, Duke University School of Medicine’s Dr. Kevin Thomas, MD, shared his expertise in Cardiology and captivating research findings  and Dr. Robert Turner II, a former NFL football player turned researcher, provided targeted and attention-getting information to the group before him, as an instructor from the Department of Population Health Sciences. 

What made the symposium highly effective was the professional congeniality, group synergy and specific health-related “connective focus” on Black men facing unattended personal poor health habits of mind and conditions.  Significant and valuable research with brain research areas of Dementia, Cardiovascular studies and research-based Self-Help approaches to health care and known disparities. The Davie Street Presbyterian Church is located at 300 East Davie Street in Raleigh. the (DSPC) Men’s Council participated, including William “Bill” Thomas, Cyril Jarrett, Greg Carr, Alton Haywood, Jerry Campbell, and W. Calvin Anderson. The symposium organizers served a great breakfast at the Durham RTP Central Pines Regional Council Center facility. It was attended by about 70 people including men, professional women and student public opinion researchers were comfortably supporting table-based discussions. Everyone seemed to have had a wonderful time learning and engaging!