Larner’s Student National Medical Association partnered with the Richard Kemp Center in Burlington recently to host “Ubuntu: Nurturing Community Wellness.” The evening of health-focused activities and celebration, including workshops on mental health, personal development, and more, truly exemplified Ubuntu—an ancient African word expressing the interconnectedness between people.
Rev. Mark Hughes, executive director of the Vermont Racial Justice Alliance (at far left, in white cap), sharing his inspiring story with SNMA members while they engage in art therapy.
Recently, the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) chapter at the Larner College of Medicine, in partnership with the Richard Kemp Center in Burlington, hosted a wellness event called “Ubuntu: Nurturing Community Wellness.”The word Ubuntu comes from the South African language, Ugani, and roughly translates to “I am because we are,” expressing the importance of interconnectedness between people. This event brought together community members for an evening of health-focused activities and celebration, with wellness workshops that emphasized mental health, stress management, and personal development through such activities as journaling, music, and art therapy. The SNMA students also created and distributed wellness to-go bags filled with resources for continued self-care at home.
Several Larner medical students and SNMA executive board members shared their thoughts on the experience, including Eunice Suberu ’27, SNMA co-president, and Evelyn Thomas ’27, vice president. “Gathering together to share our stories and cultures is always a special experience,” Suberu said. “This event provided a wonderful opportunity for wellness and connection, and I look forward to more collaborations with the Kemp Center in the future.” Thomas commented, “It’s thrilling to know that there’s a place to talk, interact, play music, and simply enjoy each other’s company. I had a fantastic time and I’m eagerly looking forward to attending their events.”
This collaboration underscored the shared commitment to enhancing the wellness of Vermonters and creating inclusive spaces where culture and community thrive. Christine Hughes, director of the Kemp Center, remarked, “We are grateful to have this connection and hope it will grow.” The event exemplified the effectiveness of partnership in fostering a healthy, empowered community. “The Richard Kemp Center is a safe place for Black and brown children, youth, and families to be. We are proud to be the only Black-led community organization in Chittenden County and statewide, with the exception of the Root Social Justice Center in Southern Vermont,” said Hughes.
Learn more about the Richard Kemp Center
Learn more about Larner’s Student National Medical Association
About the Richard Kemp Center
Dedicated to addressing historical racial inequities by centering the needs of the Black community in Vermont, the Richard Kemp Center is a unique space where the wellness culture of the Black community intersects with youth development. The center’s mission is to support Black Vermonters’ wellness, preserve their culture, and advance racial equity and justice. This mission is realized through a diverse array of programming and services tailored to meet the community’s needs.