The Center for Black Studies hosted the Black Heritage Wellness Fair on Thursday at the Holmes Student Center’s Art Gallery Lounge. The fair addressed many health issues concerning African-Americans.

Kelli Jackson, a CHANCE program counselor and an event coordinator for the fair, said the fair was conducted to teach black students to prevent and treat illnesses that are prevalent in the black community. Tables were set up by the DeKalb County Health Clinic, Student Housing and Dining Services and the Northern Prairie School of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.

Jill Kohn, a graduate assistant for Student Housing and Dining Services, distributed promotional items about nutritional dangers for many African-Americans. Kohn said hypertension is common among African-Americans, and she talked about the possibilities of eating healthy in the student dining cafeterias.

“There is an abundance of salad bars and fruit in the dining halls,” she said.

Kohn also said students can monitor their sodium and calorie intake by going to the Web site of their particular dining hall, which contains nutritional information about what is being served on that day.

Dr. Herbert Jackson, a retired podiatrist, gave information about the importance of maintaining healthy feet. Jackson said people take foot health for granted.

“One way to maintain healthy feet is to wear shoes with good support and always wear socks with shoes,” he said.

The Northern Prairie School of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, 138 N. Fair St., Sycamore, gave massages in the Capitol Room. There were six massage chairs where students and staff received free massages. Advanced students of NPSTM gave the massages.

“It’s important for students to be able to relieve stress,” Jackson said.

There were many promotional items, fact sheets and free condoms for students. Ron Scott, a freshman corporate communication major, said the fair was an excellent source of information.

“Overall, it was a nice experience,” Scott said. “I got the chance to learn many things about health risks that I probably wouldn’t have known.”