More than 100 Black Clergy recently attended a virtual event led by Baptist Minister Rev. Al Sharpton. 

The attendees included public health officials, non-profit organizations, and corporate leaders. The gathering was called Choose Healthy Life Black Clergy Conclave. It explored the Black community's health issues amid the pandemic.

Sharpton, together with Rev. Calvin O. Butts and health workers, the Conclave focused on educating the mass about the vaccine. 

They also created sustainable efforts to support the progress and planned future strategies. The pastors then discussed COVID-19 vaccination within the Black community.

Objective of Black Clergy

According to Eur web, Choose Healthy Life (CHL) leaders made the event in the historic Black church.

The said church was recognized as the oldest body of the congregation, where they have gained the trust of the Black communities.

As reported, Choose Healthy Life already reached over 6 million constituents earlier this year. This was after launching the program on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 

With their organization, about 50,000 vaccinated members of the community received virus immunity. Within 13 states and 120 churches, the groups have disseminated the action plan.

Civil rights leader Reverend Sharpton said that COVID-19 triggered health inequality and misinformation. 

The situation is reportedly evident due to the 750,000 COVID-19 deaths in America and almost 5 million worldwide. Change is beginning to happen, and Choose Healthy Life is at the front of that, he added.

Debra Fraser, National Back Leadership Commission on AIDS founder, reportedly formed the Choose Healthy Life Program. 

As explained, the program allows the community to have a sustainable approach to address health issues. It also aims for the Black communities to build a better community infrastructure to address COVID-19.

The organization's goal in 50 churches from five main cities then expand to 120 churches. Thanks to United Way of New York City and support from founding partner Quest Diagnostics, the program went successfully. 

Grants from founding sponsors such as Quest Diagnostics Foundation and Resolve to Save Lives made the event possible, as well.

According to the report, Fraser-Howze hosted the Conclave event. He joined Reed Tuckson, M.D., FACP, co-founder of Black Coalition Against COVID-19.

Alliance Between Science, Faith

Not only adult vaccination, but the meeting also included topics about vaccine shots for children. They also talked about the CDC recommendations for COVID-19 vaccinations. 

As reported, each member of the church is responsible for addressing the health inequalities happening within their area. With the help from health workers, a community-based approach is advised to make it easier to connect with local citizens.

Rev. Calvin O. Butts, III, pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church, said that they united to revive faith and science.

Among those present at the event were public health leaders Drs. Walensky and Nunez-Smith. They also invited Dr. Leon McDougle, president of the National Medical Association. 

Dr. Louis Sullivan, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, also joined. Meanwhile, Dr. Tom Frieden, former U.S. CDC director, Choose Healthy Life medical advisor, and president/CEO also arrived. 

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