Brothas Stroll for Black Men’s Health

PHILADELPHIA, July 15, 2023 — The Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement hosted the tenth Brothas Stroll to raise awareness about the issue of Black men’s health. The walk began at the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and traveled through Schuylkill River Trail for a 5k loop that ended at the Lloyd Hall Recreation Center on Boathouse Row, where participants accessed free health screenings and other resources and enjoyed music and food.
“Poor health outcomes and low life expectancy among Black Americans are a direct effect of long-standing systemic inequities,” said Eric Westbrook, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement. “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 us to essential and possibly life-saving resources. Dedicating time to stroll through spaces we usually rush by allows us to reflect, appreciate and encourage each other in our journeys forward while also honoring those who are no longer with us.”
This initiative was inspired by the report Brotherly Love: Health of Black Men and Boys in Philadelphia, issued by the City in March 2019, highlighting the unique challenges faced by Black men and boys. The report revealed that health is primarily influenced by the conditions under which individuals live their lives and lays the groundwork for actionable steps that can be taken to improve their health outcomes.
This event was organized in partnership with the Mayor’s Commission of African American Males, the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, Engaging Males of Color, and the Department of Public Health.