By Coach Lucy Howell · State Director, My Healthy Arizona Team
Out and About in Community · Saturday, October 10, 2026 · Center Court, Park Place Mall, Tucson
Hats off to the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) of Southern Arizona and the Divine Nine fraternities and sororities for another successful Fall Health Expo! I have been fortunate enough to attend all three, and I find magic and value every single time.
This year’s Fall Expo was led by co-chairs Cierra Conerly and Sam Ross, presented with the Arizona Achievers Foundation, and sponsored by the Sickle Cell Foundation of Arizona. Its theme put our community front and center: Sickle Cell Awareness.
Three years of the Fall Expo
A new home, a bigger reach
The first two Fall Expos were held at the historic Dunbar Pavilion, a treasured Tucson landmark that represents generations of African American history, education and community leadership. This year the organizers wanted to reach more people, so they brought the Expo out into the flow of everyday life at Center Court in Park Place Mall.
It worked. With music playing, tables all around, and people walking by, stopping and asking questions, it was a fabulous way to bring attention to the importance of prevention literacy. It also gave every organization there a chance to be out in community and amplify its own mission of service and outreach.
Sickle cell awareness, in the middle of it all
It was wonderful to reconnect with Moses Akpan and community health worker and sickle cell warrior Akilah Gilbert at the Sickle Cell Foundation of Arizona table. Visitors stopped for red ribbons, information about the Foundation’s work with families, providers and community partners, and a QR code to download the 360 SCD Hub app.
Sickle cell awareness doesn’t begin or end with September’s awareness month. For individuals and families living with the condition, the journey continues every day of the year. That’s why seeing Moses and Akilah out in the community matters so much: a conversation, a resource to take home, and a connection that keeps going after the event ends.
Growing the next generation of care
Another highlight was reconnecting with Dr. Butch Diggs, who serves on advisory boards locally and in the dental health space and mentors the next generation of dental professionals. Seeing Butch with the group of students he is mentoring along the dentistry pathway was probably one of my favorite pictures of the day.
The music moved us
When I walked into Park Place Mall, I heard wonderful, energetic music, and it brought me right to the center of the event. There were even moments when people got up for some familiar line dances, and it was fun to see everyone up and moving.
I keep leaning into the role music plays in our health, for a whole community and for each of us. How does music move you? What are you choosing to listen to, and are you allowing it to come into this moment?
Why community health fairs matter
One of my favorite things about community health fairs is that they bring so many providers and service organizations into one place, often with free screenings and free information. They encourage folks to check their access to care, challenge them to get care, challenge them to know more, and challenge them to connect with people and groups who can help.
So I encourage everyone: if a community health fair comes to your neighborhood, go. You will meet an incredible number of caring and passionate people. And if you are ever asked to table or represent, step up and volunteer. It is wonderful to engage in the conversations and real issues people are facing and want to talk about.
If you’re ever asked to table at a community health fair, step up. That’s where the real conversations happen.
Honoring our Health Heroes
For all of these reasons, I am honoring the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Southern Arizona as Health Heroes for hosting its 3rd Annual Fall Health Expo. Hats off to Cierra Conerly and Sam Ross for leading the way, and a special thank-you to Moses Akpan and the Sickle Cell Foundation of Arizona, and to the Arizona Achievers Foundation, for helping sponsor it and bringing it out to the public.
Special Hosts and Guests
Photos from the day
Stay connected all year
Join the 360 SCD Hub to find upcoming events, track your health, and connect with families, providers and community partners across Arizona. Join the 360 SCD Hub →
Out and About in Community with Coach Lucy