Temperatures had reached 90 degrees by 8 a.m. Saturday. But the uncomfortable heat didn’t quell the energy of those who gathered in the name of Black men’s health on the campus of Harris-Stowe State University.
“Get checked out, so you don’t get checked in,” was being chanted as participants gathered for the St. Louis stop of the African American Male Wellness Agency’s Black Men’s Wellness Day.
Saturday’s event was the local leg of a national initiative urging Black men to prioritize wellness and maintain awareness of what is happening with their bodies.
Kenny Hampton, a member of the national team for the Black Men’s Wellness Day initiative, knows firsthand why that matters.
Hampton was on hand with the initiative’s founder and CEO, John Gregory.
“This proves that Black men really do care — and if we work together, we can accomplish more for our community than if we work separately,” Gregory said. “We’ve screened about 20,000 Black men. Eighty-five percent of them had high blood pressure.”
Many, like Hampton, didn’t know it.
Hampton appeared to be a pillar of health as he engaged with the St. Louis community. With his height and thin frame, he could pass for an NBA baller.
“When I got my numbers back, they were both in the triple digits,” Hampton said. “I could have had a stroke.”
Marius Palmer was the lead liaison for the St. Louis stop.
“Ask a Black man when was the last time he had an oil change, and ask him when was the last time he’s been to the doctor for a checkup,” Palmer said. “He’s more than likely to know about the oil change. We have to make a change to a point where Black men know more about what’s going on with their bodies than their cars.”
Several dozen people visited vendors that provided health information as they prepared for a 5K run/walk. The event also included free health screenings, community resources and family activities.
“It’s the most fun you’ve ever had at a doctor’s visit,” Hampton said.
Gregory said the event’s approach is rooted in building camaraderie and trust among Black men. He said there is a big mistrust of the health care system because of how Black men are treated.
“We are bringing events like this to the community — as Black men — and it builds trust,” Gregory said. “That’s why we do this, because we are trying to show Black men who are taking responsibility. And this is our way of having our Black men say to the family, ‘Hey we are gonna get healthy.’”
It’s a message Turran Qualls and Derron Byrd hear loud and clear.
“The whole situation of building awareness for Black men about their health. A lot of situations happen because we are unaware,” Qualls said. “By it being spotlighted, there is no excuse as far as not being aware.”
Qualls and Byrd are longtime friends. Qualls, who is from St. Louis but lives in Atlanta, heard about the event when Byrd cut his hair. Byrd also found out about the event at his barber’s chair. He was cutting Palmer’s hair.
“By us doing events like this, we can be a healthy muse for our children — especially our boys,” Qualls said.
It was a sentiment echoed by Byrd, who says he exercises regularly with his two children, ages 6 and 9.
“A lot of times, we don’t talk about our health until it’s too late,” Byrd said. “Events like these keep that type of situation from happening.”
His remarks reflected St. Louis boxing great Devon Alexander’s life experience.
He lost his father to prostate cancer as a teenager. Now he is committed to playing a part in events like Black Men’s Wellness Day.
“Awareness can make all the difference,” Alexander said.
“Kids are silent observers,” Qualls said. “You might not think that they are looking, but they are soaking up everything that you do — including your lifestyle habits. Especially how you approach your health.”