Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement Launches Brothas Stroll: Walk for Black Men’s Health
PHILADELPHIA — The Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement (OBME), in collaboration with the Department of Public Health, is launching a new initiative called Brothas Stroll: Walk for Black Men’s Health.
Brothas Stroll is a neighborhood-based walk for Black males to gain access to health resources and screenings, connect with neighbors, and raise awareness about the issue of Black men’s health. The first Brothas Stroll event will take place in South Philadelphia on September 7 at 9 a.m. and will be organized in partnership with Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson, Anton Moore, and Unity in the Community. The health walk will start at Dixon House and will guide residents through the neighborhood, past health resources like pharmacies and produce stores, and to their local City Health Center (Health Center #2). After the stroll, community members will have the opportunity to access health screenings and job training resources and receive information about illnesses like hypertension that affect over 40 percent of Black men in Philadelphia.
“Brothas Stroll is an opportunity for Black men and boys to collectively take action against the stigma of health care,” said Eric Westbrook, Director for the Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement. “It’s a powerful, supportive event that inspires us to overcome our fears of survival and focus our attention on gaining the knowledge necessary to thrive.”
“Too often, Black men do not have an opportunity to engage in healthy activities like walking on a Saturday morning,” added Dwayne Wharton, Director of External Affairs at The Food Trust. “The Brothas Stroll walks will not only provide opportunities for exercise and connection to medical professionals, it will also serve as a forum for Black men to share and talk with each other socially—yielding a benefit to both the physical and emotional health of Black men.”
In March of 2019, the City issued, Brotherly Love: Health of Black Men and Boys in Philadelphia. This first-ever report highlighted the unique challenges faced by Black men and boys in Philadelphia today and laid the groundwork for actionable steps that can be taken to improve their health outcomes.
Raynard Washington, Chief Epidemiologist for the Department of Public Health said, “It is not uncommon for people—particularly Black males—to not access health care and other resources simply because they do not know they exist. Brothas Stroll provides an innovative opportunity to raise awareness and connect Black men and boys to health resources in their neighborhoods.”
The Brotherly Love report revealed that health is largely influenced by the conditions under which individuals live their lives. Nearly one in three Black men are obese, and Black men are more likely to be hospitalized for stroke as early as 35. Too often, these serious events are a result of undiagnosed and/or untreated hypertension, which continues to be a the silent killer of Black men.
“Too many Black men of my generation had their lives cut short by urban health crises like gun violence, drug abuse, cancer and hypertension,” remarked 2nd District Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson. “I’ve lost countless family, friends and community members to these plagues. As a father and a Councilmember, I worry about the next generation, because they face the same threats to their health. Together with the Kenney Administration and community partners, I’m energized to raise awareness of the problem and increase access to health resources.”
Brothas Stroll Details
Date: Saturday, September 7, 2019
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Starting Location: Dixon House, 1920 South 20th Street
The Route: Approximately 1.9 miles long, includes the following stops:
- Dixon House,1920 South 20th Street
- Rowhouse Grocery, 1713 McKean Street
- Lang’s Fruit & Produce, 2101 South 16th Street
- AFC Urgent Care South Philly, 1444 West Passyunk Avenue
- Walgreens, 2014 South Broad Street # 24
- Rite Aid, 2017-2023 South Broad Street
- Philadelphia Health Center #1,1930 South Broad Street
- Penn Urgent Care South Philadelphia, 1945 South Broad Street
- Afton Family Dental, 1815 South Broad Street
- Broad Street Braces, 1819 South Broad Street
- Cardiology Consultants of Philadelphia, 1703 South Broad Street 3rd Floor
- Philadelphia Health Center #2, 1700 South Broad Street
- Di Silvestro Playground,1701 South 15th Street
- 20th Street Dental Center, 1638 South 20th Street
- Back to Dixon House