Black Men Run Leaves Their Mark on the World
Jun 17, 2021
Brotherhood. It’s the one word Black Men Run co-founder Jason Russell uses to describe what its members experience.
The organization gives black men a safe and encouraging environment to focus on their health and well-being through running/jogging. Back in 2013, we worked with Jason to create the logo for Black Men Run. Since then, they’ve empowered thousands of men to take control of their health.
And their journey has only just begun.
Overcoming Hurdles to Good Health
For co-founders Jason Russell and Edward Walton, the goal of helping other black men set achievable health and fitness goals wasn’t optional — they were necessities. African-American men suffer from strokes at twice the rate of white males, and heart disease is the number one cause of death for this demographic in the US.
And both conditions are largely preventable.
“Having good health is not an option; it is something that everyone must take seriously,” Jason said. “Black Men Run allows us a safe space to have conversations about health and wellness that impact African-American men.”
The CDC cites physical exercise as one of the key activities people participate in to prevent heart disease and stroke.
As a stroke survivor himself, Jason credits being physically active with aiding in his recovery. “I [consider] myself to still be recovering, and am lucky that I am able to do the things that I can because I had to relearn how to run, talk, drive, etc.,” He continued. “I feel like being in good condition prior to my stroke has been an aid to my recovery.”
During the 2020 pandemic, the country experienced a reckoning about the disparities in healthcare for people of color. Covid-19 disproportionately affected members of the BIPOC community due to lack of access to medical treatment, income gaps, and systemic discrimination and racism, among other factors.
This crisis was further exacerbated by many in this population serving as essential workers, which further exposed them to the virus.
“The time that guys spend out on the runs [is] precious and something that is looked upon as a highlight to their weeks,” Jason recalled. As those weeks of quarantine turned into months, Black Men Run kept urging its members to keep running and concentrate on staying healthy.
A Built-In Support System for Black Men
In Black Men Run chapters across the US, its members are dedicated to building camaraderie and motivating one another. They’re giving the community a positive reflection of black men and shattering the damaging stereotypes faced by BIPOC living in the US.
It’s also part of the reason why Black Men Run embarks on group runs. An unfortunate truth for many runners—especially those of color—is that verbal abuse and harassment are not uncommon while exercising outdoors. And in some instances results in deadly outcomes, as in the case of Ahmaud Arbery.
In the video, This is Why I Run, member Keron Alleyne reflects on how their New York chapter shows “a living, [breathing] example of black men literally running [through] their neighborhood.” People in the community can see those who look like them taking an active role in their health.
Jason takes this thought further by stating, “It shows that black men have the ability to support one another in events that are not team-based.”
Black Men Run members pride themselves on leaving no man behind. Even first-timers lingering in the back are supported by advanced runners who slow their pace in a show of solidarity.
Jason noted, “Running is actually more mental than it is physical when you are approaching the last portion of a tough race. [It is] important to have a support system to get you to the finish line,”
The Future of Black Men Run & Crossing Borders
The seeds of Black Men Run were planted long ago, as Jason remembers, “My father, who is a lifelong runner, often told me that growing up in Memphis, he did not have other African-American men to run with.”
And now those seeds have borne fruit.
“This was a movement that we had to start because there was not another viable outlet like Black Men Run that was marketed to a global audience, and we saw this as an underserved niche of the running community,“ he said.
Since the group’s founding in 2013, it’s grown to over 50 chapters with thousands of members throughout the US.
The organization also has an international presence with chapters in London, Paris, and Okinawa. Jason believes, “[The] international growth will only allow us to spread our message of a healthy brotherhood to all parts of the globe, which is critical to [black men’s] physical and mental health.”
It’s a message supported by celebrities like Tyler Perry and Kevin Hart, who also participated in runs with members of the Atlanta chapter.
As word spread about Black Men Run, the group received coverage in Men’s Health and Runners World magazines, and its members have appeared on numerous TV programs. The organization was also featured in a promotional video for running shoe brand Saucony.
So what’s next for Black Men Run?
Right now, they’re in the process of creating a foundation in their name, which will help underserved communities.
When we worked with Jason to create the logo for Black Men Run, our goal was to create something that would visually embody their mission. Now, audiences worldwide have seen the mark, and as Jason puts it, “The logo shows strength, in my opinion. [The man] in the logo is lunging forward with a perfect runner’s stance.” He goes on to say, “It is the type of [symbol] that has stood the test of time.”
We’re excited to see more from Black Men Run in the future and are honored to have played a small role in their journey.
One Comment
Comments are closed.
I’m very proud of BMR organization. My son James (JT) Hale is Captain of the Atlanta Chapter. He is truly dedicated to BMR and looks forward to each and every moment to attend meets near and far. BMR has set the pace for many to follow as they are professionals and great Mentors. They deserve much media ops.