ORLANDO, FL – September 26, 2022 – The 2nd Annual Heart & Soul Music Festival returns Saturday, October 8, 2022, to the Apopka Amphitheater in Orlando, FL.  Hosted by The Wire, WHPB 98.5 FM, this year will celebrate African American history and feature national recording artists The Isley Brothers, Howard Hewett, Leela James, Kut Klose, and Con Funk Shun. The festival will also include a talent showcase, art exhibits, food and merchandise vendors, and highlight health awareness and prevention.

Health screenings are one the most important tools for early prevention. Black Nurses Rock will join the Heart & Soul festival with this year’s aim at raising awareness and prevention. They will offer a free health screening as part of a commitment to advancing health equity.  “This event is an ongoing effort to help reduce health disparities,” said Event Organizer and General Manager of WHPB 98.5, Paul Billings. “It will allow us to further support their mission. We are excited about their involvement in providing attendees with health screenings and educational information.”

Black Nurses Rock-Orlando is making a huge impact around the U.S. They are a group of innovative nurses who provide community health promotion and strive to decrease health care disparities while increasing access to care. Since 2016, President of the Orlando Chapter and Director of Development, Melody Taylor, has been heavily involved in multiple communities. “Our goal is to tackle health disparities by promoting preventative measures and educating people on the importance of health screening and prevention,” said Taylor.  “We focus on Cancer and HIV prevention, among other diseases and conditions. Members of the organization also understand the importance of supporting other nurses. During the pandemic, nurses went through a great deal of traumatic stress. We understand the many challenges and are here to support one another. Through our partnership with the National Daisy Foundation (Disease Attacking the Immune SYstem), an organization that honors the super-human work nurses do every day, we are able to recognize nurses who do an exceptional job.”

“We are thrilled to participate at the 2022 Heart & Soul Music Festival,” said Taylor. “This year we have teamed up with the American Heart Association to help prevent hypertension. The goal is to raise awareness. Because of our supporters and sponsors such as Orlando Health, State Farm, City of Orlando Office of Community Affairs and Multi-Cultural Affairs, City of Clermont, Orange County Health Department, and Seminole County, we are able to provide the community with resources and link them with the care they need. Our participation in the festival is one of many ways we like to give back.” To learn more about Black Nurses Rock please visit www.blacknursesrockorlando.com

Be part of the 2nd Annual Heart & Soul Music Festival on October 8! Tickets are on sale now! For tickets or more information visit www.heartandsoulmusicfestival.eventbrite.com or www.heartandsoulfestival.com. Proceeds from the event will benefit the “Free Kids Trip to Africa Program,” an educational and cultural exchange trip to Ghana, Africa.”