The 3rd Annual Public Health Expo, led by the Long Beach City College Public Health Program, is a signature event of LBCC Public Health Awareness Month, held each April to help students and community members better understand public health and how they can improve both their own health and the health of their communities. Drawing over 300 attendees and more than 40 community partner organizations each year, the Expo brings together students, professionals, and community leaders to explore education, wellness resources, and career pathways across the Health Care and Social Assistance sector. Through student research presentations, community engagement, wellness activities, health screenings, and networking opportunities, the event creates a dynamic space where learning, opportunity, and community health come together.

Public Health Expo — Event Snapshot

• Event: 3rd Annual LBCC Public Health Expo – Think Globally. Act Locally.
• Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2026
• Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• Location: Long Beach City College Liberal Arts Campus
  • 10:00 am – 11:00 am – J building.   
  • 11:00 am – 2:00 pm – A Quad in front of the Welcome Center
  • 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Q-117 
• Hosted By: LBCC Public Health Program
• Part of: LBCC Public Health Awareness Month (April)
• Who Should Attend: Students, community members, public health professionals, and organizations across the Health Care and Social Assistance sector.
• What to Expect: Community partner organizations, student research presentations, health screenings, wellness activities, career exploration, networking opportunities, free food, and live music.

Expo Highlights

• Free food and Music
• 40+ community partner organizations representing the Health Care and Social Assistance sector
• Student public health research presentations
• Health screenings (Blood Pressure, Spinal, Eyes, and more)
• Professional skill demonstrations showcasing real-world public health and health care practices
• Career exploration and networking opportunities with public health professionals
• Wellness activities, including yoga sessions and sound bath experiences
• Cheer and Dance Team Performance

Schedule

10:00 am – 11:00 am | Opening Session | LAC – J - Bob and Barbara Ellis Auditorium 

• Welcome
• History of Public Health
• Public Health Program Highlights
• Food Insecurity Presentation 
• Food Insecurity Poem: Yum, this is good, yah.
  • Presented by Ezequiel Correa, the Youth Poet Laureate of Long Beach, is a dynamic writer known for his creative, unpredictable style and deep passion for literature. Beyond writing, he is dedicated to serving as a community advocate, focusing on addressing literacy inequalities and improving access to information. Inspired by works like Intermezzo by Sally Rooney, Ezequiel’s perspective highlights the complexity of human emotions and the importance of understanding diverse viewpoints, both in literature and in everyday life.
• Play Now, Thrive Later: Collective Care in Action Through Rhythm, Art, and Community | Presented by Nakeya T. Fields, LCSW, PPSC, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor
  • This interactive session explores how art, play, and music serve as culturally grounded, trauma-informed tools for engaging diverse communities. Through the Brain Well-Being Model® and Collective Care framework, participants will experience how connection, regulation, and shared rhythm support emotional wellness and community healing.
  • Featuring a live drumming experience, this session highlights how creative approaches transcend cultural differences, strengthen engagement, and support inclusive care. Participants will also learn about pathways into Community Health Worker (CHW) and wellness careers, with a focus on youth as leaders and change makers.
  • Speaker Bio: Nakeya T. Fields, LCSW, PPSC, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, is a licensed clinical social worker, mental health entrepreneur, and creator of the Brain Well-Being Model® and Collective Care in Action® framework. She is the Founder of Innovative Wellness Consulting and Chief Executive Officer of the Therapeutic Play Foundation, where she leads community-based mental health initiatives focused on healing intergenerational trauma and increasing access to care. Nakeya specializes in culturally responsive, trauma-informed approaches that integrate play therapy, creative arts, and community engagement to support youth and families, particularly within Black and historically under-resourced communities. She is also the author of Play Now. Thrive Later., a framework for healing individuals, families, and communities through connection, self-awareness, and collective care. Her work bridges clinical practice, workforce development, and systems change, supporting schools, healthcare organizations, and community-based providers in implementing sustainable, equity-centered models of care.

11:00 am | Public Health Expo – Resource Fair | LAC – A Quad

With over 45 community partners in attendance, the Resource Fair connects students and attendees to a wide range of services, programs, and opportunities. To explore the full list of organizations and offerings, view the digital program.

• Food, Activities & Interactive Experiences

  • Enjoy free food, snow cones, music, and games while exploring the fair. Attendees can also experience the 360° photo booth, inflatable money booth, and other interactive activities happening throughout the space.

• Health Screenings & Live Demonstrations

  • Participate in free health screenings, including blood pressure checks and posture assessments, along with live demonstrations such as CPR and overdose response.

• Wellness & Prevention Resources

  • Connect with organizations providing support in mental health, substance use prevention, harm reduction, chronic disease prevention, and overall wellness.

• Access to Services & Community Support

  • ​Explore programs offering healthcare access, social services, and local resources, with opportunities to receive information, referrals, and direct support.

• Education, Careers & Opportunities

  • Learn about internships, career pathways, and transfer opportunities in public health, healthcare, and social services.

11:30 am – 12:30 pm | Public Health Research Symposium | LAC – A Quad

The Public Health Research Symposium features student-led presentations focused on real-world public health issues impacting local communities. Students identify a public health problem, analyze its root causes, and present a community-centered solution grounded in research and data.

Projects demonstrate critical thinking, public health research skills, and systems thinking, highlighting how local action can contribute to broader efforts such as Healthy People 2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Attendees are encouraged to engage with presenters, ask questions, and explore how public health research translates into meaningful community impact.

11:30 am – 12:30 pm | Sound Bath and Yoga | LAC – A Quad

Take a moment to reset and recharge with guided wellness sessions offered during the Expo. The LBCC Kinesiology Program will lead yoga sessions focused on movement, breathing, and stress reduction, making wellness accessible to all experience levels.

Sound bath sessions will be led by Sandy Duarte, a Los Angeles–based creative and healing artist, certified sound practitioner, and yoga instructor. Drawing from her work in hospitals, community spaces, and wellness settings, Sandy uses crystal singing bowls and sound vibration to create immersive experiences that promote relaxation and emotional regulation. Her approach centers on using sound as a tool to calm the nervous system, reduce stress, and support overall well-being.

These sessions provide a space for attendees to step away, decompress, and experience how holistic practices support both mental and physical health.

12:45 pm | LBCC Cheer & Dance Team Performance | LAC – A Quad

Experience one of the top community college cheer programs on the West Coast with a live performance by the LBCC Cheer & Dance team. With multiple National Championship titles—including 2005, 2013, 2018, and recent consecutive wins from 2021–2025—and consistent top 3 national rankings for over 20 years, LBCC Cheer represents a legacy of excellence, discipline, and elite performance.

The team has remained highly competitive at both the state and national levels, earning State Championships from 2013–2022 and continuing to place among the best in the country, including a strong showing at national competitions in Daytona, Florida.

Beyond competition, LBCC Cheer has been featured in films and television, including The Hot Chick, Bring It On: Yet Again, Dating: No Filter, and Goliath, highlighting their visibility and impact beyond campus.

This performance brings high energy, precision, and school pride to the Expo while showcasing the talent and dedication of LBCC student-athletes.

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm | Save a Life: Opioid Overdose Prevention and Response Training  | LAC - Q-117

Led by the Long Beach Health and Human Services Harm Reduction Program, this interactive training equips attendees with the knowledge and skills to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose. Participants will learn how to identify overdose signs, understand key risk factors, and take immediate action, including how to administer naloxone (Narcan).

The session also introduces harm reduction strategies and practical approaches to preventing overdose in the community. Participants will receive a certificate of participation and a harm reduction kit.

​4:30 pm - Viking Preview Day | Trades, Technology, and Community Learning Campus (TTC)

• Time: 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM
• Viking Preview Day, led by the Office of Early College Initiatives, welcomes incoming students and their families to learn about starting at Long Beach City College. Attendees can explore academic programs, connect with student services and clubs, meet faculty and staff, and take a campus tour.
• Location: LBCC Trades, Technology, and Community Learning Campus (TTC)
• More Information: https://www.lbcc.edu/event/viking-preview-day-2026-april-14-april-22

More Information

Contact Information

Frank Henry-Ala

Public Health Faculty, Long Beach City College

Email: fhenry-ala@lbcc.edu

Phone: 562-938-5516

LBCC Public Health Awareness Month

In Spring 2024, the Long Beach City College Board of Trustees approved a resolution formally recognizing April as LBCC Public Health Awareness Month, highlighting the college’s commitment to advancing public health awareness, strengthening health literacy, and expanding public health education to empower individuals and communities to understand and address health challenges while improving overall well-being.

Purpose of Public Health Awareness Month

Public Health Awareness Month is designed to increase understanding of public health and encourage students and community members to explore how they can contribute to healthier communities.

Throughout April, the LBCC Public Health Program hosts events, learning opportunities, and community engagement activities that highlight public health challenges and solutions while introducing students to education and career pathways in the Health Care and Social Assistance sector.

Other Events That Support Public Health Awareness

Public health is strengthened through collaboration across many areas that support health, well-being, and equitable opportunities. During April, several initiatives and events take place that align with and support the goals of LBCC Public Health Awareness Month. Students and community members are encouraged to explore these events as part of their learning and engagement in public health.

National Public Health Week

April also includes National Public Health Week, a nationwide initiative established in 1995 and led by the American Public Health Association.

National Public Health Week highlights the importance of public health and raises awareness about health challenges affecting communities across the United States. Universities, health departments, and community organizations host events that focus on prevention, health promotion, and community-based strategies that improve population health.

The week often coincides with LBCC Spring Break, which creates an opportunity for students and community members to participate in public health activities happening throughout the community.

Students and community members are encouraged to connect with the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services to learn about local events, programs, and opportunities to engage in activities that support community health.

Learn more about National Public Health Week: https://www.apha.org/initiatives/national-public-health-week

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility Awareness Month

Public Health Awareness Month takes place alongside Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Awareness Month at Long Beach City College. DEIA Month includes events and programming across the college that promote equity, inclusion, and accessible learning environments for all students.

These efforts align closely with public health by addressing social and structural conditions that affect health and well-being.

Black Student Success Week

Public Health Expo may also overlap with Black Student Success Week, a statewide initiative across California community colleges that focuses on supporting the academic success, well-being, and leadership development of Black and African American students.

Events during this week emphasize mentorship, community engagement, and strategies that help create equitable educational opportunities that contribute to stronger and healthier communities.

More information about Black Student Success Week: https://www.lbcc.edu/black-cultural-heritage

Who Should Attend

The Public Health Expo is open to anyone interested in learning more about public health and how individuals and communities can work together to improve health and well-being.

This event is especially valuable for:

• LBCC students interested in careers in public health, healthcare, or social services
• High school students exploring education and career pathways
• Community members interested in improving their own health and supporting healthier communities
• Public health, health care, and social assistance professionals interested in connecting with students and community partners
• Community organizations and nonprofits working to address health and social challenges

Why Attend the Public Health Expo

The Public Health Expo provides a unique opportunity to learn how public health improves the well-being of individuals and communities.

Attendees will have the opportunity to:

• Learn how public health initiatives address real community health challenges
• Explore career pathways in the Health Care and Social Assistance sector
• Connect with organizations offering career, internship, and volunteer opportunities
• Discover wellness resources that support physical and mental health
• Participate in health screenings and professional skill demonstrations
• Engage with student research focused on real-world public health issues

The event brings together learning, community engagement, and opportunity in one place.

Opportunities & Resources

Community partner organizations participating in the Public Health Expo provide a variety of opportunities and resources for students and community members.

Participants can explore:

• Wellness resources and health promotion programs
• Career pathway information in the public health and community health fields
• Internship opportunities with community organizations and health agencies
• Volunteer opportunities supporting community health initiatives
• Networking with professionals working across public health, healthcare, and social services

These opportunities help attendees take the next step in learning about public health, gaining experience, and contributing to healthier communities.

Wellness Activities & Health Screenings

Public health focuses on promoting physical, mental, and community well-being. During the Expo, attendees can participate in wellness experiences and health services offered by community partners.

Activities and services may include:

• Health screenings provided by community health organizations
• Yoga sessions focused on relaxation and movement
• Sound bath wellness experiences
• Health promotion and wellness education activities
• Resources that support mental health and overall well-being

These activities highlight how public health supports healthy lifestyles and stronger communities.

Public Health Research Symposium: Student Poster Presentations

Students from Long Beach City College and local dual enrollment high schools will present projects exploring public health issues affecting communities locally, nationally, and globally. Reflecting the Expo theme “Think Globally. Act Locally.”, students examine how broader public health challenges connect to the experiences of individuals and communities in their own neighborhoods.

Using a systems thinking approach, students explore how multiple factors—such as social conditions, environmental influences, policies, and community resources—interact to shape health outcomes. This perspective helps students understand how complex public health challenges are interconnected across local, national, and global contexts.

Students select topics that are most meaningful to them, allowing them to investigate issues that impact their communities and reflect their interests and lived experiences.

The Public Health Research Symposium will take place as a gallery walk of student poster presentations, where attendees can move through the space, explore projects, and engage directly with students about their work. This interactive format encourages conversation, knowledge sharing, and collaboration between students, faculty, community partners, and public health professionals while helping students develop research, communication, and professional presentation skills.

Community Partner Booth Registration

Organizations are encouraged to register early to secure a booth and connect directly with students exploring careers in the Health Care and Social Assistance sector.

Registration Information

Registration Deadline: Monday, March 23, 2026
Registration Form: https://forms.office.com/r/eMtwj4MpaT

This registration form is for organizations interested in hosting a community partner booth at the Expo. All organizations will be reviewed and verified prior to participation to ensure alignment with the event’s focus on public health, health care, and social assistance services.

We welcome participation from community-based organizations, health systems, public agencies, nonprofits, and workforce partners working to improve health and well-being in our communities.

Organizations are encouraged to register early, as space is limited. Confirmation of participation will be sent during the week of March 23–27, 2026.

Community Partner Schedule

• Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2026
• Location: LBCC-LAC-A-Quad (in front of Welcome Center)
• Setup: 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
• Active Tabling: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• Complimentary Lunch: 12:30 PM
• Cleanup: 2:00 PM

Each registered organization will receive a standard 6–8 ft table, chairs, access to a shared canopy space, complimentary parking, and lunch for participating representatives. Organizations are responsible for bringing their own materials such as brochures, signage, tablecloths, and promotional items.

Opportunity to Engage with Students & the Community

Organizations working across the Health Care and Social Assistance sector are invited to participate in the 3rd Annual LBCC Public Health Expo – Think Globally. Act Locally. by hosting a community partner booth. This event connects organizations directly with students exploring health careers, internships, volunteer opportunities, and community health resources.

Why Organizations Participate

Participating in the LBCC Public Health Expo allows organizations to engage directly with students, faculty, and community members interested in improving community health and exploring careers in the Health Care and Social Assistance sector.

Community partners benefit by:

• Increasing awareness of their programs, services, and community initiatives
• Connecting with students interested in careers in public health, healthcare, and social services
• Identifying potential interns, volunteers, and future employees
• Building relationships with the LBCC Public Health Program and faculty
• Exploring opportunities to collaborate with the Public Health Program on student learning, internships, community engagement, and future events
• Networking with other organizations working to improve community health
• Demonstrating real-world public health and health care practices to students and community members

Ways Community Partners Participate

Community partners have the opportunity to:

• Share information about programs, services, and community initiatives
• Provide health screenings and wellness resources
• Demonstrate professional skills used in public health and health care settings
• Offer internship, volunteer, and career pathway opportunities for students

Booths may include informational outreach, interactive activities, or guided skill demonstrations that highlight real-world public health and health care practices.

Community Partner Directory

During registration, organizations will provide details about their program or initiative, booth activities, organization sector, populations served, and student opportunities such as internships, job shadowing, volunteer roles, or employment pathways.

Community Response & Intervention Session

Organizations may also indicate interest in leading a Community Response & Intervention Session, a 45–60 minute applied learning session that introduces students to real-world public health, health care, or social service response strategies.