On August 20, 2025, Charlotte, North Carolina, hosted the fourth annual Black Men’s Wellness Day at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, a powerful event aimed at addressing health disparities and promoting wellness among Black men. The event brought together thousands of participants from all over the city and beyond, surpassing the goal of 5,000 attendees set by the organizers. The gathering was a celebration of health, community, and empowerment, offering a wide range of activities designed to educate and engage men in prioritizing their health and well-being.
This year’s event included essential health screenings, where attendees could take advantage of free tests and consultations to assess their health status. These screenings offered early detection of conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol, which disproportionately affect Black men. In addition to the health screenings, the event featured a 5K walk/run, providing an opportunity for participants to get moving while also raising awareness about the importance of physical activity in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Read Also: https://mensnewspaper.com/the-met-galas-superfine-exhibit-celebrating-black-dandyism-in-menswear/
Beyond fitness and health monitoring, the event also offered a variety of wellness activities, designed to promote mental health and emotional well-being, areas that are often neglected in discussions about men’s health. The activities emphasized the importance of self-care, stress management, and the value of maintaining a balanced lifestyle. The event also created a family-friendly environment with a kids’ zone, ensuring that the entire community could take part in the day’s festivities. Additionally, an elderly pavilion was set up, providing a space for older adults to access tailored health information and services to support aging in good health.
Dr. Benjamin Missick, a physician with Novant Health, played a pivotal role in organizing the event. His dedication to improving healthcare access and raising awareness about wellness in Black communities was central to the event’s success. Dr. Missick spoke about the importance of providing Black men with resources and education that empower them to take control of their health, encouraging them to make preventive care a priority rather than waiting for health issues to arise. His emphasis on education and awareness reflected the growing recognition of the need to address health disparities in the Black community, where access to care and health outcomes often lag behind other groups.
Throughout the day, attendees had opportunities to interact with healthcare professionals, learn about healthy living, and explore different approaches to maintaining physical and mental well-being. These interactions were instrumental in fostering a sense of community, as men came together to support one another, share their experiences, and find encouragement in their wellness journeys. The event underscored the importance of building a strong, supportive network that encourages men to take an active role in their health.
The success of Black Men’s Wellness Day is part of a broader movement toward community-based health initiatives that are tailored specifically to the needs of men, particularly Black men, who face unique health challenges. Events like this one are essential in promoting preventive care, encouraging healthier lifestyles, and providing the resources necessary to address the root causes of health disparities. By bringing the community together in this way, the event helped create a space where men could focus not only on their physical health but also on their emotional and mental well-being, which are just as critical to overall wellness.
Looking ahead, initiatives like Black Men’s Wellness Day are expected to continue growing, with a focus on providing men with the tools they need to live longer, healthier lives. With more people recognizing the value of these community-driven health events, the hope is that they will continue to inspire men to take charge of their health, seek out regular checkups, and engage in preventive care. By continuing to build on the success of events like this, communities can help foster an environment where Black men, in particular, feel supported in their wellness journey.
As the event concluded, there was a strong sense of accomplishment among the organizers, volunteers, and participants. Not only had the event provided crucial health screenings and educational resources, but it also fostered a deeper sense of unity and community spirit, reminding everyone that health is not just an individual pursuit but a collective one. The lasting impact of Black Men’s Wellness Day will surely resonate throughout the year, inspiring more men to prioritize their health and make wellness a key focus in their lives. This event has set a powerful example for other communities, showing that when people come together to support one another, the results can be transformative.