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 eighth Brothas Stroll event will take place in FDR Park Boathouse on Saturday, November 5 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and is organized in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement, the Mayor’s Commission of African American Males, the Department for Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS) Engaging Males of Color (EMOC) Initiative, and the Department of Public Health.
“The Brothas Stroll isn’t just about encouraging physical health for Black men and boys. It is also about supporting mental and emotional health. By bringing Black men and boys (and the people who love them) together in a supportive space that’s filled with positive energy, we create a shared sense of connection, love, and healing. We get in a great workout too,” said Eric Marsh, Sr., Chair of the Mayor’s Commission on African American Males.
The health walk will guide residents through the park and the surrounding neighborhood. After the stroll, community members will have the opportunity to access health resources and hear from various organizations advocating for and educating others on the health outcomes for Black men and boys in Philadelphia.
“Poor health outcomes and low life expectancy among Black Americans are a direct effect of long-standing systemic inequities. The gun violence public health crisis only exacerbates this, making homicide the leading cause of death for young Black men. The goal of the Brothas Stroll is to disrupt these disparities and improve health outcomes for Black men and boys by creating a stronger sense of community and connecting them to essential, and what could be, life-saving resources,” 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 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 a 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
When: Saturday, November 5, 2022 from 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Starting Location: FDR Park Boathouse, 1500 Pattison Avenue and S Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19145
The Route: Approximately 1 mile long
Registration: Members of the public can register for this year’s Brothas Stroll Walk online here.