PHILADELPHIA — The Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement (OBME), in collaboration with the Department of Public Health, is hosting its seventh Brothas Stroll: A Health Walk for Black Men and Boys.
The 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 next Brothas Stroll will take place at the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, August 27 at 11 a.m. and will be organized in partnership with sponsors Tracey Gordon of the Register of Wills Office, Mayor’s Commission of African American Males, Department of Public Health, Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disabilities Services (DBHIDS) – Engaging Males of Color, Mayor’s Office of Youth Engagement and the Philadelphia International Airport.
“The Register of Wills office is so excited to partner with the Brotha’s Stroll. The Heinz Refuge is one of my favorite places to take my walks. It is so important to get the community outside and involved in some physical fitness,” said Tracey Gordon, City of Philadelphia Register of Wills. “People walking is a great way to stay fit, meet neighbors, and I can’t wait to take a stroll this Saturday with everyone.”
In March of 2019, the City issued Brotherly Love: Health of Black Men and Boys in Philadelphia, a first of its kind report highlighting the unique challenges faced by Black men and boys in Philadelphia today. The report 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 stroke as early as age 35. Too often, these serious events are a result of undiagnosed and/or untreated hypertension, which continues to be a silent killer of Black men.
“The Brothas Stroll is an opportunity for Black men and boys to collectively take action against the historical 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.”
