This year’s walk will take place in West Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA — The Brothas Stroll is a neighborhood-based walk for Black males and boys to gain access to health resources, connect with neighbors, and raise awareness about the issue of Black men’s health. The fifth Brothas Stroll event will take place in West Philadelphia on April 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is organized in partnership with Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, the Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement, the Mayor’s Commission of African American Males, and the Department of Public Health.
“Because of systemic racism, Black men in Philadelphia and around the country face unique challenges when it comes to their physical and mental health and wellbeing. The Brothas Stroll is an important opportunity to call attention to this issue, and to provide resources to Black males and their loved ones that can help them thrive. I’m grateful for the partnership of the Department of Public Health and the Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement on this fantastic initiative,” said Councilmember Jamie Gauthier.
The health walk will start at Health Center 4 (4400 Haverford Ave.) and guide residents through the neighborhood. It will be a short one-mile stroll to Health Center 3 (555 S. 43rd St.) After the stroll, community members will have the opportunity to access health resources and hear from various organizations advocating for and educating on the health outcomes for Black men and boys in Philadelphia.
“Black Americans in the United States have lost three years in life expectancy. Long-standing inequalities have exacerbated this, and the gun violence crisis is affecting Black men and boys disproportionately in Philadelphia. The Brothas Stroll is an opportunity for Black Men and Boys to receive care and support from each other and their community, and it is an actionable step to improve health outcomes for the city’s Black men and boys,” said Eric Westbrook, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement.
This initiative was inspired by the report Brotherly Love: Health of Black Men and Boys in Philadelphia issued by the City in March of 2019. This was the first-ever report that 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. The Brothas Stroll was launched in 2019 in collaboration with the Department of Public Health.
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 the silent killer of Black men.
Brothas Stroll Details
Date: Saturday, April 23, 2022
Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Starting Location: Health Center 4, 4400 Haverford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104
The Route: Approximately 1 mile long
Registration: Members of the public can register for this year’s Brothas Stroll Walk here.
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The Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement (OBME) works to close the opportunity divide for men and boys of color. Their work is inclusive, serving Latino, Asian, immigrant, and other populations of men and boys in Philadelphia.
OBME directs and supports the efforts of the Mayor’s Commission on African American Males, and coordinates My Brother’s Keeper Philadelphia, a program that aims to dismantle systems of inequality. OBME is part of the Office of Public Engagement.