Table of Contents

COCCI Heads to Essence Festival

Check out the Equity in GI Event Schedule

Upcoming Events for COCCI

Join COCCI's New Membership Program

Welcome COCCI's New Staff

COCCI Heads to Essence Festival!

Presented by

A broader version of our Community Conversations program, COCCI's bringing a fun new educational event to Essence Festival called The Appetite: It Goes Down in the GI on Friday, June 30th. Open from 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM, this event will combine culture, education on digestive health, a live cooking demo, and interactive experiences to more than HBCU students. At $25.00 per ticket, there will be big prizes, food, and cocktails included.


Hosted in the French Quarters at The Jaxson, this event is open to people who are local or traveling. Whether you decide to attend at 12:00 PM or 3:00 PM, stop by to learn more about digestive health related to BIPOC communities.


General Admission: $25

Includes:

  • Education Sessions
  • Interactive Games
  • Prizes
  • Food
  • Up to 3 Cocktails


Have you heard of Essence Festival? Launched in 1995 and known as "the party with a purpose", Essence Festival is the largest black culture and music event in the U.S.

Get Your Ticket Today!

Check Out the Equity in GI Program Schedule

We're three weeks away from the best GI event focused on Health Equity in BIPOC Communities. The program schedule will be out soon but don't hesitate to view our Event Schedule at a Glance to see what we've mapped out during the event.


We have exciting plans for our receptions, a Mainstage welcome you don't want to miss, great mainstage speaking topics, and more! GI rules everything around us, so register today and be a part of the conversation!

Register Today!

Check Out Upcoming Events and Programs!

The Huddle: A Safe Space for Men with IBD

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

7:30 PM

Via Zoom


Moderator: Marquis Ellison

Doctor: Dr. Ugo


The Huddle is a space for men in the IBD community to gather together to share their thoughts and experiences with IBD. Patients, Care Partners, and Family members are welcomed.

Register for The Huddle

Also this month...

Together IBD

Thursday, June 22 at 6:30PM via Zoom

Register for Together IBD

Join COCCI's New Membership Program

As a patient focused organization, we've been working hard on resources and programs that are beneficial to patients during their journey with IBD. After months of planning, we've officially launched our Patient membership level which offers:

  • Care Connection Program (coming soon)
  • Access to more Industry and Physician led resources
  • COCCI In-Person and Virtual Community Programs
  • Access to On-Demand Programming
  • Discounts to COCCI Events*
  • Eligibility for Equity in GI Travel Scholarships

This membership opportunity is free for patients so join today and expand your education and access as a patient.

Join Today!

Welcome COCCI's New Staff

Meet Craig Ridgley

Manager, Finance and Development


Craig Ridgley is an experienced and motivated accounting professional with an impressive background in researching and implementing effective collection techniques for billion-dollar media and real estate investment corporations. With 20+ years of experience in the accounting industry, Craig was the liaison between creditors and consumers to balance maintaining trustful relationships and guaranteeing timely payments. He responded to client queries promptly and professionally, created monthly credit records, and performed administrative duties to ensure office efficiency.


Craig is excited to merge his strong understanding of billing and collection processes, outstanding communication, negotiation, accounting, and interpersonal skills, coupled with his in-depth knowledge of laws and policies related to debt collection into the mission and vision of Color of Crohn’s and Chronic Illness (COCCI). He is excited to help advance initiatives to improve the quality of life for BIPOC affected by IBD, Digestive Disorders, and associated Chronic Illnesses.

 

In his spare time, Craig enjoys visiting random coffee shops to discover the “perfect” brew.

Thank you to our 2023 Champion Sponsors