KILLEEN, Texas — On the first day of Black History Month, the City of Killeen, on behalf of the Bell County Public Health District, hosted its first State of the Black Community Address.
The Bell County Public Health District has funding from the Texas Department of State Health Services and this event was a think tank on how best to deploy monetary resources in the community for the Black population of Killeen.
City of Killeen Mayor Pro Tem Nina Cobb was the special guest speaker at the address and spoke on teamwork needed in the community.
"We are a community. Together we stand. Together we fall," said Cobb.
6 News spoke directly to the State of the Black Community Address' host, Erin Hughley.
Hughley, Master of Public Health and Certified Health Education Specialist at the Bell County Public Health District, outlined issues to 6 News that African-Americans are facing in Killeen.
"Voting, housing," said Hughley. "And then we have issues of healthcare inequality and access, access to transportation, food insecurities. Things like those. Mental health."
Attendees at the Community Address included registered nurses, politicians, elected officials, sororities and other community stakeholders looking to make Killeen a better place. Each took time to introduce themselves and their organization to their fellow attendees.
"We have all these amazing programs and initiatives that we are offering to the community and many people don't know about them," said Hughley.
Hughley expressed concern to 6 News that those in Killeen's Black community were unaware of services that may be useful for them.
"There are resources out here," Hughley said. "All you have to do is pick up the phone and call."
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