The Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement and Register of Wills hosted the 7th annual “Brotha Stroll’ at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, on Saturday, August 27, 2022. Their goal was to bring the community together before the summer ended for black men’s health. This event was an opportunity to gain access to health resources, health screenings, and donate blood.
Men and women gathered under the shade of a cabana to listen to community leaders speak before the stroll began. The leaders gave information about the different offices, opportunities and programs that black men can take advantage of to educate themselves. The Registrar of Wills encouraged the men in attendance to take the time to set up a will. Members of Philadelphia’s Youth Council spoke about the importance of changing the narrative young black men are having in a social media-driven world.
The groups who collaborated on this event created a positive space to face the encouraging negative behaviors such as drug and alcohol abuse. Following a quick warm-up, the group took off on a 1.5-mile journey through the wildlife refuge. During the walk, people burned calories while also sharing laughs. The walk through the marsh was a breath of fresh air in a time when people are urged to stay inside in a semi Covid world.
Far too often, black men push forward and neglect the upkeep of their health, stemming from generations of distrust in medical professionals. Although as time advances and more and more black faces enter the medical practice, they are calling for black men to once again, trust the people who dedicate their lives to helping those stay healthy.
With the assistance of the Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement, there is now community backing behind this push for establishing trust in medical personnel. That is the reason the “Brotha Stroll” is incredibly important and shall continue to grow in participation.
The men of greek-lettered organizations such as Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. showed their support of the stroll as they were heavy in attendance.
