Harmony of Heritage With Asian Health Services & West Oakland Health
West Oakland Health and Asian Health Services continue their tradition of collaboration, cultural unity, and community-building during the month of February.
Earlier this month, Asian Health Services invited West Oakland Health to participate in a shared recognition and celebration of both Lunar New Year and Black History Month at an event called “Harmony of Heritage” in Wilma Chan Park in Oakland’s Chinatown. On Feb 22, 2024, West Oakland Health invited Asian Health Services to participate in their Cultural Unity Day held at West Oakland’s historic DeFremery Park.
Touching on the long history of solidarity, Asian Health Services’ CEO Julia Liou shared, “We have a really deep history with West Oakland… Asian Health Services wouldn’t be here without West Oakland, we were a federally qualified health center back in 1974. We started as a one room clinic that was just one room with students from UC Berkeley. West Oakland really helped us to become a federally qualified health center and get funding. We are so, so honored and privileged to be in this partnership today with this food distribution.”
Robert Philips, West Oakland Health, CEO and President shared, “This celebration represents a rich tapestry to celebrate two traditions, Lunar New Year and Black History Month. [West Oakland Health was] fought for by four mothers. What was expected from them was to bring better healthcare for their community, we are fueled by the same fire as our sister clinic Asian Health Services. We are both roses grown from the concrete of low expectations and a denial of fairness. We’ve created health institutions where dignity and health aren’t privileges but birth rights, and we’re not done. We’re here today. Still fighting.”
Both organizations continue to collaborate on a range of bridge-building programs, including a program launched by AHS called the Asian Black Racial Trauma Project, which is focused on creating intentional, shared space to foster and deepen understanding and solidarity. Look for many more partnerships between these organizations in the future!
Click to view images from the event:
We first shared about the Asian-Black Solidarity Project last February and you can find the link HERE.