Our 2025 theme is Racism: Public Health Issue: Barriers to Access. This two-day event starts on February 26th. We’ll gather at the University of Southern Maine, Glickman Library Portland campus to learn about how racism, which the CDC declared “…a serious public health threat that directly affects the well-being of millions of Americans…” (2021) prevents us from achieving physical and mental wellness via mainstream healthcare models.

Community members, public health experts, and social services providers will share firsthand experiences of barriers to accessing care from individuals belonging to Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) and LGBTQ+ communities. Participants can view a selection from the Glickman Special Collections highlighting the history, strength, and power of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ activists and organizers. We will conclude with a community networking gathering on February 26 to celebrate our 5th year together –getting to know each other better.