What began as a vision to unite about 100 nonprofits in the region has evolved into what organizers are calling a historic citywide activation aimed at connecting Philadelphians with life-changing resources.
The Coalition of Non-Profits Community Health & Help Expo is set to take place on Saturday, June 20, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, bringing hundreds of nonprofits, healthcare providers, educators, employers, government agencies, and community organizations for a free, full-day event.
The upcoming expo represents an extension of a deeply personal story for Latanya Morrison, inspired by her late grandson who died of brain cancer at just six years old after expressing his dream of becoming a police officer so he could help people.
“I made a silent promise to him that his legacy and his fighting spirit and his love of humanity would live on to help a lot of people,” Morrison told PHILADELPHIA.Today. “I’m not only walking in purpose, I’m walking in promise.”
The Coalition of Non-Profits Community Health & Help Expo will feature five forums, one of which is titled, “From the Block to the League.” This forum is designed to give aspiring student-athletes practical guidance on navigating the rapidly evolving world of sports, college recruitment, and name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals.
This is a critically important forum as more student-athletes have been receiving major NIL deals while still learning how to manage sudden financial success.
“Helping these kids navigate through that is huge,” said Morrison.
Moderating the discussion is Will Chavis, of Drexel University’s men’s basketball staff, who contributes to the program’s recruitment process, player development, and opponent scouting.
He said that transition from AAU to college and onto the professional ranks is a conversation that represents the natural progression of the game.
The Philadelphia School District plans to send both male and female student-athletes to attend this forum.
The “From the Block to the League” panel is just one of five featured forums planned at the expo. Other sessions throughout the day will include those focused on breaking barriers to higher education, women’s empowerment, mentorship, inclusion, and more.
In addition, the expo will also grant attendees access to services around healthcare, workforce development, housing, food insecurity, legal support, and entrepreneurship.
Putting all these nonprofits under one roof is intentional.
“One of the things that we run into constantly is nonprofits competing with one another. But that’s not our culture,” said Morrison. “Our culture is inclusive. Our culture is sharing resources.”
Beyond June 20, the organizers are launching a digital resource guide and virtual workshop platform to keep the connections made during the expo alive year-round.
“The goal of the entire event,” Morrison said, “is to give the community a hand up, not a handout.”
You won’t want to miss the The Coalition of Non-Profits Community Health, Healing & Help Expo.
It is scheduled for Saturday, June 20, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. To secure your registration, visit The Coalition of Non-Profits Health & Help Expo.
