“Can I hug you? Thank you for doing this,” an impassioned young woman asks Black Heart Association co-founder Tara Robinson before approaching her with an embrace that is filled with gratitude. She’s one of hundreds of 2026 South By Southwest (SXSW) attendees who have stopped by the Black Heart Association booth to step on the scale and evaluate their body composition and obtain a complimentary heart health screening that provides life-saving insights.
Nestled within SHE Media’s Co-Lab Whole Life Health exhibition, which is curated to “unlock the future of health where innovation, transformation, and connection meet,” Black Heart Association has curated a cozy booth designed to put attendees at ease. While other activations feature ornate swag and bombastic marketing, Black Heart staff aim to evoke comfort as they engage with attendees one-on-one and empower them through education and real-time activities to take proactive steps for their heart health.
Co-founded by Tara and Frederick Robinson, Black Heart Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health outcomes for all people. Inspired by Tara’s real-life experience of having three heart attacks within a week, she and her husband wanted to create an organization dedicated to advocating for minority individuals who are impacted by heart disease and strokes every year. With Black Americans facing a 54% higher risk of dying from cardiovascular diseases as opposed to other races, the Robinsons united to take their mission on the road with events and initiatives that meet the needs of everyone willing to just say “yes.”
Individuals ages 12 years and up can be served regardless of race, gender, identity, economic status, or sexual orientation. Black Heart Association is for everybody, and their essential health services are free to the community, ensuring support is accessible to anyone. Through their trusted bus, aptly named “Cardi V,” they currently service Dallas, Houston, and the surrounding areas to bring life-saving health screenings directly to their audiences. They’re happy and willing to meet the people wherever they are, which brings them to the bustling streets of Austin, Texas, during the weekend of March 14-15, 2026, for the city’s largest annual festival, SXSW. In partnership with Create to Heal, Sundial’s community-centered wellness initiative dedicated to supporting the healing, creativity, and well-being of women and their communities, Black Heart Association is a vibrant and essential presence for attendees seeking more than festive beverages and entertainment.
For SXSW attendees visiting the Black Heart Association booth, the currency isn’t generic swag or pamphlets; it’s a single drop of blood and the willingness to get on the scale. They’re lined up, ready to see how a little prick can unearth a world of results, including blood pressure, glucose, lipid panel, lipoprotein/genetic screening, and a kidney screening. Black Heart’s program is designed to help you temperature check where you’re at, so you can catch potential health issues early before they become bigger problems.
Tara enthusiastically greets employees and invites them to step on the scale while she explains that they will receive complimentary results that provide a comprehensive evaluation, including bone mass, muscle fat analysis, visceral fat levels, and body mass in just a few short minutes. Frederick smiles as he guides people through the heart health segment, which includes a quick finger prick, after which they will receive their free results via email within a few days. He shares that he’s been pleasantly surprised by not only the turnout but also the attendees’ interest and engagement at their booth, given that SXSW is a predominantly white audience. In today’s divisive climate, Black Heart Association’s goal is to reflect inclusivity and unity through its services, as Tara notes, “there has never been more of a need to care for each other and ourselves.”
With over 20,000 screenings, more than 50 cities served, and greater than 300 communities impacted, Black Heart Association is not only raising awareness but also uplifting communities with life-changing services that can change the course of a single life and create a new, healthy cycle of generational wellness in a family. Through their Guard Your Heart Tour (sponsored by Amgen), they will continue taking Cardi V across the country to connect, educate, and empower individuals with easily accessible services that help communities guard their hearts.
This story was made possible through Create to Heal, Sundial Media & Technology Group’s community-centered wellness initiative dedicated to supporting the healing, creativity, and well-being of women and their communities. Through immersive experiences, restorative spaces, and service-led programming, the platform brings together culture, care, and connection to create environments where women can pause, restore, and reclaim their power. From salon-based sanctuaries to storytelling and mentorship spaces, Create to Heal transforms trusted community settings into pathways for collective healing and empowerment.