The 2026 Community Health Worker Day brought together CHWs from across Cuyahoga County for a day centered on connection, celebration, learning, and self‑care – this year’s guiding theme. CHWs spend their days supporting families, navigating complex systems, and strengthening care coordination, and this event offered a chance to pause, take a breath, recharge, and be recognized.
The morning began with networking and an inspiring session, “Sustaining the Bridge: Caring for the Internal Infrastructure of Those Who Serve Others,” presented by Tameika Harris, MSN, PMHNP‑BC, APRN. Her keynote set the tone for the day, grounding attendees in the importance of tending to their own emotional and mental well‑being while doing the demanding work of supporting others. Participants reflected on how validating it felt to hear their experiences named, affirmed, and framed as essential to the broader health ecosystem.
Martrina Jackson, a C‑CHW at Cleveland Clinic and a member of the CHW Day Planning Committee, shared, “CHWs are the voice and movement of the underserved. The keynote speaker explained it best: Community Health Workers are important to the community because we are the bridge that connects individuals and families to resources that can greatly impact their lives.”
Tameika Harris, MSN, PMHNP-BC, APRN Delaney Jones, MSSA, LSW
In the afternoon, Delaney Jones, MSSA, LSW, led an engaging presentation on “The Science of Early Child Development & Attachment: Implications for Community Health Workers.” Her session offered practical, evidence‑based insights that CHWs could immediately apply in their work with families. Many attendees noted how helpful it was to connect developmental science with the real‑world challenges they see every day, and how empowering it felt to deepen their understanding of early childhood attachment.
Throughout the day, attendees were able to choose from a variety of wellness‑focused activities, including live cooking demonstrations led by the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, Zumba, chair yoga, and podcast interviews highlighting CHW voices and stories. The day’s energy reflected the essential role CHWs play in building trust within our community and supporting individuals as they navigate health and social barriers. These sessions created space not only for movement and relaxation, but also for connection. CHWs shared stories, exchanged strategies, and found moments of joy with colleagues who understand the unique demands of their work.
We had the opportunity to speak with several partners about their participation in the event. “Community Health Workers are often the bridge between people and the care, support, and resources they need,” said Zoe Brown and Iris Gonzalez, Co‑Founders and Instructors of Island Beats LLP. “They show up for their communities every day with compassion, dedication, and heart. It was an honor to create a space where they could take a break, let loose, laugh, dance, and pour a little energy back into themselves.”
Zoe Brown, left; Iris Gonzalez, right
Zoe and Iris led the Zumba session and added, “The response in the room reminded us that sometimes wellness looks like information and resources, and sometimes it looks like fun, movement, and a chance to simply breathe. We were grateful to be part of a day dedicated to recognizing the incredible work Community Health Workers do throughout our community.”
As the day came to a close, one theme echoed through every conversation, activity, and presentation: Community Health Workers are essential to the health and strength of our region. Their dedication, compassion, and lived connection to the communities they serve make a profound impact every day. CHW Day 2026 was not just a celebration – it was a reminder of the power of this workforce and our shared commitment to supporting, uplifting, and investing in them. We look forward to continuing this work together and carrying the spirit of the day into the year ahead.