Health fest honors Black History Month

In a darkened Bay Shore auditorium Saturday, it was Topeka, Kan., in 1954 for a bit. A soldier escorted a scared young black girl as she desegregated a Kansas school and boys hurled hate at her.

"Go home!" one of them shouted at the girl, who like all those on the Bay Shore Middle School stage Saturday were actually 2012 students re-enacting the result of the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. the Board of Education.

Meanwhile, in the cafeteria down the hall, an optometrist gave free vision tests, a poison-control expert warned against children confusing drugs and look-alike candy, women signed up for free mammograms, a longtime survivor of HIV discreetly handed out condoms and encouraged the public to take on-site HIV tests, and more.

It all played out as part of Suffolk County's third annual Gospel Health Fest, held in honor of Black History Month.

"We try to nurture the soul and give advice to strengthen the body," said Brandy Scott, chairwoman of the county African-American Advisory Board, one of the event's sponsors.

The handouts offering frank advice included: "Understanding Lupus . . . One Piece at a Time"; "Why Wait Now? Saying No If You've Had Sex Before. Sticking With Your Limits"; "A Healthy Weight For You"; and the kids' coloring book "Feel Good! Eat Healthy!"

Among the presenters was dietitian Constance Brown-Riggs, author of "The African American Guide to Living Well With Diabetes."

Genetics, in addition to lifestyle choices and other factors, make some groups disproportionately at risk, she said.

"Being black -- that's a major risk factor," she said, advising attendees to get diagnosed and educated about diabetes to prevent such consequences as amputation and blindness.

Back in the auditorium, the musical part of the afternoon kicked off in earnest with the 112-year-old song "Lift Every Voice and Sing."

In the spirit of the program blending health and music, the saxophonist was none other than the director of the county's Office of Minority Health, Dr. Gregson H. Pigott. Said emcee Darren Greggs, a gospel radio station program director: "He got his Kenny G on!"