Black Girl Wellness Fest, powered by Black Girl Vitamins, made its highly anticipated Chicago debut at the UIC Forum, drawing more than 3,000 women from across the city and beyond for a full day of wellness, culture, and community unlike anything the city has seen before. The festival, which featured actress Meagan Good, actress Ta’Rhonda Jones, and Dr. Contessa Metcalf among its headliners, delivered on every promise — and then some.
The UIC Forum became a wellness wonderland from the moment doors opened. Inside and outside the venue, thousands of Black women took up space, took care of themselves, and took in a day designed entirely with them in mind. From the packed main stage to the energy of the fitness demonstrations, the vendor marketplace, and the community activations filling every corner of the space, Black Girl Wellness Fest proved that when you build something for Black women, Black women will show up.
More than 50 speakers took the stage and led breakout sessions, sharing wisdom on topics including mental health, hormonal health, longevity, nutrition, financial wellness, grief, healing, and community care. On the main stage, Meagan Good led a powerful conversation on confidence, healing, and giving yourself permission to evolve. Ta’Rhonda Jones opened up about mental health, grief, and what healing daily really looks like for Black women. Dr. Contessa Metcalf anchored a timely and educational conversation on GLP-1 medications and the future of metabolic health.
In the breakout rooms, more than 10 expert-led sessions gave attendees the space to go deeper — with physicians, licensed practitioners, mental health specialists, and community leaders leading focused, intimate conversations across a wide range of wellness topics.
The energy on the MOVE Stage never stopped. More than 10 fitness experts kept the crowd moving and energized throughout the day, with Chicago fitness instructors leading sessions that had the entire room on their feet.
The Wellness Marketplace was a celebration of Black entrepreneurship, featuring more than 70 Black-owned vendors showcasing their best in beauty, wellness, and lifestyle. Guests shopped, sampled, and connected with founders and brand owners who reflected the very community the festival was built to serve.
In one of the day’s most powerful moments, Black Girl Vitamins awarded three scholarships to local Chicago graduate students pursuing careers in healthcare — a direct extension of the brand’s $100,000 scholarship fund and its commitment to closing the health equity gap for Black women.
“This day was everything we knew it could be and more,” said Jennifer Juma, Chief Strategy Officer of Black Girl Vitamins.“Black women came out, took space, and poured into themselves — and that isexactly what Black Girl Wellness Fest was created to do. We are just getting started.”
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LINK TO PHOTOS:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1vmPn0ikz340PhvBZBn3_gsLqXUQNXyJp?usp=sharing
