The Department of Africana Studies and the Wilmington Public Library are partnering to present the James E. Newton Symposium, Reclaiming Our Breath: Black Health, Healing and Wellness, on Oct. 10, 2026 from 9:30 a..-4:30 p.m.

The symposium will bring the community together for a day focused on Black health and wellness and will feature a documentary screening of Sistahs Getting Well followed by a discussion and keynote address.

The symposium will be held at the Wilmington Public Library and is free and open to the public. Reservation is required to reserve lunch.

This is the second year that the Department of Africana Studies and Wilmington Public Library are partnering to honor the legacy of Dr. Newton, an award-winning artist, a leader in Black American studies and a revered mentor at the University of Delaware for more than three decades. Dr. Newton had a strong commitment to eliminate barriers between higher education and the community it is intended to serve, which is the mission of Africana studies.

About the panelists

Brandi Harvey is the founder of Beyond Her, a wellness initiative focused on supporting women of color through holistic approaches to mind, body and spirit.

Jacqueline Glass is a lifestyle coach and founder of At the Well Conferences, which offers events, retreats and symposiums focused on physical, emotional, spiritual and financial well-being.

Stephanie Y. Evans is a professor of Black women’s studies in the Institute for Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies at Georgia State University and affiliate faculty of Africana studies.

For further information, please visit: https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/cas/units/departments/africana-studies/about-us/james-newton-symposium/