Atlanta Gears Up For The Annual Black Men's Wellness Day At Morehouse College

The annual African American Black wellness screening event is here once again.

The African American Male Wellness Agency has announced its annual Atlanta Black Men's Wellness Day, scheduled for Saturday, September 14 at 7 am. The event will be held at the Morehouse College Public Health Sciences Institute, located at 830 Westview Drive Southwest, Atlanta, GA 30314.

For the past five years, Atlanta’s annual Black Men's Wellness Day has featured a 5K walk/run and health screenings specifically for Black men. The goal of the event is to encourage as many participants as possible to take advantage of free onsite health screenings, which include tests for blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, HIV/STDs, prostate cancer and other diseases.

“We do this every year to save the lives of Black men,” said Keith Dobbins, the Atlanta Coordinator for African American Male Wellness Agency Atlanta. “If you save a Black man’s life you save his family. When you save the family you save the community. And that’s what we’re all about, affecting massive change through the health of Black men.” 

Greg Clay, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services for the City of Atlanta, has been named the Honorary Chair for the 2024 Atlanta Black Men’s Wellness Day.

“I am extremely excited to lead this annual effort here in Atlanta, as we work to impact health disparities, along with other issues, in my role with the city on a daily basis,” Clay said. “This proactive movement is a true depiction of Atlanta's Group Project, working together to fight our community's biggest challenges facing Black men.”

Other folks slated to go are Georgia Rep. Derrick Jackson, Torry Terry, R&B recording artist, and Rafiq Ahman, former president of 100 Black Men of south Metro Atlanta, among many prominent others.

Just last year, Black Men’s Wellness Day attracted just over 1,500 people who received free health screenings and participated in the festivities. Morehouse School of Medicine is returning this year as a partner to conduct these health screenings.

“Black Men's Wellness Day in Atlanta is more than just an event- it's a movement toward health equity and empowerment for African American men,” said Kenny R. Hampton, president of the African American Male Wellness Agency. “By addressing the health disparities that disproportionately affect our community, we are not only improving individual lives but also strengthening families and communities. Our mission is to provide the tools and resources necessary for Black men to lead healthier, longer lives and this event is crucial to making that vision a reality."