Community-Led Solutions: Tamica Gant's Vision for Health Equity in Tacoma
Tamica Gant, a registered nurse and founder of Abundance Health LLC, recently appeared on "The Day with Trae" to discuss her initiative aimed at addressing health disparities on the East Side of Tacoma. Inspired by her observations of the area as a "medical, nutritional, and financial desert," Gant decided to take action rather than simply lamenting the situation. This led to the creation of the Bipoc Health and Wellness Fair, an event born from her passion for giving back and providing essential community services.
The upcoming second annual Bipoc Health and Wellness Fair is scheduled for July 26th, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, at the East Side Community Center. Gant expressed enthusiasm for the East Side Community Center's role in bringing valuable programming to the community, highlighting its effectiveness in providing direct access to healthcare providers. She explained that the fair's curation is based on health needs assessments from King and Pierce Counties, which revealed high death rates attributed to heart disease, along with concerns related to diabetes, mental health, and heart failure among people of color.
Gant described the overwhelming response from participants and sponsors who recognized the community's immense need. Abundance Health LLC has teamed up with several organizations, including Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, St. Joseph, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Gilead Science, Northwest Furniture, Elite Consultants, and Jed's Pizza. This widespread support underscores the collective desire to address health disparities and strengthen community connections.
A primary goal of the fair is to provide access to skills, resources, and opportunities for community members to thrive. Gant proudly announced that this year's fair will award scholarships to four students of color majoring in health and wellness-related fields. This initiative, she noted, is almost unheard of at a health and wellness fair, reflecting their commitment to empowering the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Gant’s personal experiences as a Black nursing student at Seattle University, where she was the only Black student in her cohort, and later as a nurse in hospital settings, solidified her resolve to advocate for her community. Recognizing the limitations she faced in advocating for others without a collective voice, she now uses her trusted position and experience to meet the community's needs. She emphasized that community-led solutions to health and wellness often have a greater impact than institutional efforts, especially when barriers such as financial constraints or lack of insurance prevent access.
The theme of the fair—community, health, and culture wrapped into one event—aims to make health engaging and accessible. Gant explained the desire to celebrate culture and community while empowering attendees with needed resources. The fair will offer numerous free services, hair care services in partnership with Paul Mitchell the School of Federal Way, a vaccine clinic in collaboration with Axe Pharmacy, and a blood drive hosted by Bloodworks Northwest. The Tacoma Police Department will also be distributing free toys for children. With over 50 vendors, the event is designed as a one-stop shop for comprehensive health and wellness services, truly inspiring people to take charge of their well-being. Learn More: https://www.abundancehealthllc.com/bipocevent/
