DEERFIELD, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Walgreens, one of Chicago’s most trusted and accessible health and wellness resources, is pleased to sponsor a Walgreens Pavilion at The Black Women’s Expo this Saturday and Sunday at McCormick Place. Activities will include free health screenings from the AARP/Walgreens Wellness Tour bus, one-on-one health consultations, free samples of popular beauty products and networking opportunities for diverse companies interested in doing business with Walgreens.
Walgreens presence at this year’s The Black Women’s Expo will center on the company’s commitment to help communities get well, stay well and live well. The AARP/Walgreens Wellness Tour bus will offer free health screenings including cholesterol, blood pressure, bone density, glucose levels, waist circumference and body mass index, with no appointment necessary. Flu shots will also be available for just $10.
In an effort to reach as many women as possible with valuable health care information, Walgreens Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Cheryl Pegus, will lead a series of speed dating-style health consultations allowing attendees to receive private, one-on-one sessions with health care professionals. Participants will have an opportunity to learn more about the health issues most relevant to African-American women, including diabetes prevention and management, heart health, fitness, nutrition, HIV/AIDs testing and prevention and fibroids. In addition, Dr. Pegus will discuss what every woman should know about her health on the expo’s main stage, from 3 to 3:30 p.m. both days.
“Women of color are well aware that their own health is important for the health of their families,” said Dr. Pegus. “The more they know about diabetes, heart disease, HIV/AIDS and easy ways to stay fit, the better it is for our communities. Reaching women of color is an important health initiative. Nearly two-thirds of all Americans live within three miles of a Walgreens and more than 40 percent of Walgreens stores are located in medically underserved areas.”
In addition to pharmacy, health and wellness services, Walgreens is one of the nation’s top destinations for the beauty and hair care products African-American women trust. During the expo, Walgreens will host its first ever “Walgreens Beauty Bar,” featuring many of the brands that have helped the drugstore chain build its strong heritage in beauty. Representatives from brands including Olay, Revlon, Motions, Ambi and Luster’s, as well as new offerings including SheaMoisture will be on hand to offer free samples and demonstrations. Shannon Petree, vice president and general merchandise manager for Walgreens beauty and personal care division, will speak on the changing face of the beauty shopper and why beauty companies are launching more products and initiatives than ever targeted at African-American consumers.
The first 1,500 women to register in advance for the Walgreens Beauty Bar presentation will receive a Walgreens Community Corner gift bag designed by Chicago artist Andre Guichard featuring products from more than 20 Walgreens suppliers. Drawings for other great prizes will take place throughout the weekend.
Another main focus for the Walgreens Pavilion will be the company’s commitment to nurturing diverse businesses. On Saturday at 11:30 a.m. from the expo’s main stage, Walgreens Chief Diversity Officer, Steve Pemberton, will discuss the drugstore chain’s industry leading supplier diversity and inclusion initiatives, including its “Community Corner” program designed to showcase products from diverse vendor partners and “The Power of Alignment,” an innovative initiative aimed at connecting Walgreens diverse service providers with its powerful vendor base.
“We are extremely proud of the work we do to support economic development in the diverse communities we serve,” said Pemberton. “Our efforts continue to open doors and help minority-owned, women-owned and other diverse businesses uncover new opportunities. Our sponsorship of The Black Women’s Expo is no exception. This weekend, several of our African American vendor partners will be featured alongside some of the world’s most recognizable brands. We are committed to expanding our network of diverse suppliers and look forward to making connections with potential partners during the expo.”
Gleatha Glispie, Walgreens senior director of supplier diversity adds, “This expo provides an ideal opportunity to demonstrate “The Power of Alignment,” to bring together wellness, beauty and business in a way that’s compelling and impactful in communities.”
For more information on Walgreens Supplier Diversity, visit www.walgreens.com/supplierdiversity.
About The Black Women’s Expo
Now in its 18th consecutive year, The Black Women’s Expo is designed to empower, enlighten, and educate women and girls of all ages. The expo features informative seminars, insightful workshops, motivational speakers, bestselling authors, a variety of sponsored exhibits and pavilions, as well as live entertainment. For additional information on The Black Women’s Expo, visit www.theblackwomensexpo.com or call 312-454-6100.
About Walgreens
Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2010 sales of $67 billion. The company operates 7,742 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Each day, Walgreens provides nearly 6 million customers the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice in communities across America. Walgreens scope of pharmacy services includes retail, specialty, infusion, medical facility and mail service, along with respiratory services. These services improve health outcomes and lower costs for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector. Take Care Health Systems is a Walgreens subsidiary that is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health and wellness centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.