The 6th annual African American Male Wellness Walk Initiative returns to the Mahoning Valley on Saturday, Aug. 11 with a number of health and wellness events at the Covelli Centre in downtown Youngstown.
The event begins at 7 a.m. and will feature free health screenings, a 5K walk/run, children’s activities, veterans’ resources, vendors and entertainment.
The event is free and open to the public.
Youngstown Mayor Jamael Tito Brown will be honorary chairman of this year’s Mahoning Valley 5K Walk/Run.
According to sponsors, the mission of the Walk Initiative is “to encourage men to take charge of their health by bringing their family together in unity for the cause of good health, well-being, awareness and prevention.”
The National African American Male Wellness Initiative seeks to raise awareness for preventable health diseases. The main objectives of the walk are to increase physician visits, increase health and wellness awareness in the urban community, and encourage increased physical exercise.
Covelli Centre
This year, the Kids’ Area returns with a rock-climbing tower and healthy choices demonstrations. A Veterans Pavilion will offer active and retired military (and their families) access to an array of federal, state and local resources. A Health Pavilion is scheduled to include nearly 100 vendors.
The National African American Male Wellness Initiative began in 2004. The minority health awareness campaign, which began in Columbus, has since expanded across the nation. In Ohio, annual events are held in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo and the Mahoning Valley.
The Wellness Initiative has been recognized by President Barack Obama and Ohio Governor John Kasich has declared August “African American Male Wellness Month.”
Event sponsors include CareSource, Ronald McDonald Charities, Mercy Health, Akron Children’s Hospital, the City of Youngstown, Chemical Bank and the Academy of Urban Scholars.
For more information or to register visit African American Male Wellness Walk, call 330-788-1696 or email
lw*****@ao*.com
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About this year’s honorary chairman – Jamael Tito Brown was sworn in as Youngstown’s 51st mayor in January 2018. Brown has held a number of city and county offices, including Youngstown City Council president, Third Ward Council, Youngstown City Schools Board, and Chief Deputy Treasurer for Mahoning County. He has served as Human Relations Commission director for the city of Youngstown, was a community organizer for Youngstown State University, and worked as a case worker for Mahoning County Children Services. He holds a master’s degree in clinical counseling and bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Youngstown State University. A lifelong city resident, Brown and his wife, Lynette C. Brown, have five children and a granddaughter.
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