PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Participants sweated it out in the heat along the Schuylkill River trail Saturday morning, on a walk to raise awareness about Black men’s health.
“It was a 5k and I feel great,” said Steve Tyson of Elkins Park, who took part in the Brothas Stroll, a walk organized through the Philadelphia Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement.
“I participate just off the strength of the idea of the stroll,” he said. “We’re taking walks to be more mindful about our health, to be more aware about the things that we can do for our mind, our soul, our spirit, our bodies.”
Erik Westbrook, director of the Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement, says the stroll originated in 2019 after that year’s Brotherly Love health report showed that 40% of Black men were dying of hypertension.
“This struggle initially started really to combat heart disease which is the number one killer of black men and boys in Philadelphia,” he explained, “and so just the simple act of walking can reduce heart disease tremendously.”
Westbrook adds walking with a group, especially in a green space, has the added benefit of improving your mental health as well.
“You know, these strolls when we come together, we spend a lot of time talking,” he said.
“That’s the best part about it,” said Tyson. “You’re building great conversation. You’re getting to meet new people, you’re building a network and continuing to build that friendship.”
Westbrook says many of the participants have driven past the trail along Kelly Drive, but haven’t walked through it. “To be here to slow down, to walk together in a space that is designed for us, for our health, for us to slow down,” he said, “it’s just beautiful.”