Being Black never stops. Our history is a continuous journey of resilience, strength, and progress. It is woven into the fabric of every day, not just a single month of celebration. Black history is about the leaders who paved the way, the communities that thrive despite obstacles, and the individuals who continue to push for justice, equity, and wellness. It’s about honoring our past while actively shaping a healthier and stronger future. At Embrace You Wellness, we recognize that Black health is Black wealth, and that’s why our commitment to empowerment doesn’t end in February—it’s ongoing, year-round, and deeply ingrained in everything we do.
Black women and men in the United States face significant health disparities compared to other racial groups. Nearly 50% of Black women are affected by cardiovascular disease, and one in four African American women aged 55 and older has diabetes—almost twice the rate of white women. Studies also show that 81% of Black women are overweight, with 52% classified as having obesity. Similarly, Black men experience notable health disparities compared to their counterparts. These disparities are influenced by multiple factors, including systemic barriers, cultural perceptions, and socioeconomic challenges. These statistics underscore the critical need for targeted health interventions and support within the Black community.
Yet despite these obstacles, our community wants to be healthy and desires to be empowered with personalized education and tools that can create lasting change—both on an individual and community level. Embrace You Wellness is committed to addressing these issues through education, movement, and advocacy. Each initiative we implement, every workshop we host, and all the conversations we spark are rooted in the belief that wellness is a right, not a privilege. To help enact systemic change, we take intentional action to educate, inspire, and uplift our community in powerful ways. This month, we continued that mission by implementing initiatives that bring awareness, provide resources, and spark meaningful conversations.
Recap of Events: Embrace You Wellness Raising Awareness During BHM
Embrace You Wellness has been a proud Outreach and Education Partner of the Black Physicians Healthcare Network (BPHN) since April 2022. Over the past three years, we've launched our grant-funded Embrace You W.E.L.L. (Walk, Eat, Live, Lighter) Walk & Workshop Series, aiming to emphasize the body, mind, spirit approach to total health and wellness within our community. Collaborations with organizations like Walk With A Doc and GirlTrek have further amplified our efforts to prioritize Black health.
If you're interested, our 2024-2025 Embrace You Wellness W.E.L.L. Walk & Workshop Series enrollment is open. Join us as we continue to support and empower individuals on their wellness journeys!
W.E.L.L. Walks
Throughout the month, we continued our Embrace You W.E.L.L. Walks, integrating movement with education and community building. These walks were not just about physical activity but also served as an opportunity to connect, share knowledge, and reflect on the importance of prioritizing our health. Our collaboration with Walk With A Doc and GirlTrek reinforced the mission of making wellness accessible and engaging for all. To date, we have hosted 11 walks and walked with over 100+ women, proving the power of community in transforming health outcomes. Walking has proven to be a powerful tool in combating health disparities, and through these initiatives, we aim to make an impact on the alarming statistics surrounding Black women's health.
We’re keeping the momentum going! Join us for our upcoming W.E.L.L. Walks in March:
📅 Saturday, March 8, 2025 - 10:00 AM EST📍 Location: Sligo Creek Trail
📅 Saturday, March 22, 2025 - 9:00 AM EST📍 Location: Sligo Creek Trail
These walks provide a great opportunity to prioritize your health, connect with other like-minded women, and learn more about holistic wellness. Bring a friend, wear comfortable shoes, and get ready to move!
For more information, registration details, and to stay updated on our walk locations, please refer to the resources section.
Heart Health Awareness Initiative
As February is American Heart Month, we emphasized the intersection of Black history and heart health. Heart disease disproportionately affects the Black community, and we provided education on nutrition, movement, and mindfulness to support overall well-being.
A cornerstone of our initiative is our partnership with Walk with a Doc, founded by cardiologist Dr. David Sabgir in 2005. Dr. Sabgir began inviting his patients for walks in local parks to spark meaningful health conversations—a concept that resonated widely. Initiated in 2024, Embrace You's collaboration has allowed us to place a strong focus on movement while highlighting the connection between obesity and heart health through personalized education and lifestyle strategies.
We were also honored to welcome Dr. Nana Afari, a cardiologist and heart failure specialist, who joined our Walk with a Doc event on February 22nd to share valuable insights on heart health. Additionally, for more expert perspectives, we encourage you to explore the latest newsletter from Dr. Kendra Outler, founder of Uzima Health & Wellness and a member of our Embrace You Collaborative. The newsletter, available in our resources section, provides further education on heart health and ways to take action in your wellness journey.
The Power of Advocacy
Black communities have long faced barriers to equitable healthcare, making it more critical than ever to learn how to advocate for ourselves and our loved ones. Understanding how to navigate the healthcare system, ask the right questions, and know your health numbers—such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar—is vital for improving health outcomes. When we take charge of our own health, we empower future generations to do the same.
Recently, we hosted a powerful Health & Advocacy Discussion featuring Dr. Bonita Coe, M.D., M.B.A., author of "How to Help Your Doctor Help You: A Guide for Men and Women to Manage Health Proactively." This book is a must-read for anyone looking to take a more active role in their healthcare—but it’s especially important for Black women and families, who too often face unique challenges in medical spaces. Our voices matter, our health matters, and this conversation will help equip you with the tools to advocate for the care you deserve.
The book signing event was filled with insightful conversations on how to work with your doctor, ask the right questions, and take control of your healthcare journey. Many valuable gems were dropped during the discussion, highlighting the importance of self-advocacy and proactive health management, particularly for Black women and families who often face unique challenges in medical spaces. The replay of this discussion is available in the resources section for those who missed it or want to revisit key takeaways.
Head Embracer, Dr. Sylvia's Corner
Our family tradition is visiting the iconic Ben Chili Bowl in DC during Black History Month, which we have been doing since 2022! Over the years, we’ve captured memories with photos from 2022, 2023, 2024, and now 2025. The back seating area is our favorite spot—the walls are covered with history, and I love discussing it with the kids and my husband.
When the Ali family is there, it’s always a special bonus. Their dedication to Ben’s is inspiring—a testament to the power of family, community, consistency, and quality in building business longevity. The forever beautiful Mrs. Virginia Ali is filled with wisdom, kindness, and spunk! Each time we’ve met her, she has shared an interesting story. From the handcrafted varsity jacket she was wearing in 2023 to this year in 2025, when she informed us she had just won the The Myrtilla Miner Award for Exceptional Service to Society from University of the District Columbia.
The award was named after Myrtilla Miner, who was integral in educating Black students during slavery and helped co-found Howard University. The Moyer Hall is named after her.
Thank you, Mrs. Ali, for your dedication and for being an inspiration for generations to come.
Continuing the Journey
Black History Month serves as a reminder of the strength and perseverance within the Black community, but our work does not stop at the end of February. Embrace You Wellness remains committed to empowering individuals with knowledge, resources, and supportive spaces to prioritize health year-round.
We invite you to continue walking with us, learning with us, and taking active steps toward holistic wellness. If you haven't already, join our Facebook community for ongoing discussions, educational content, and upcoming events. Let’s carry the momentum forward—our health, history, and future depend on it.
Resources
Embrace You W.E.L.L. Walk Registration Page
Rewatch the Book Discussion with Dr. Bonita Coe on Health & Advocacy
Embrace You Collaborator, Dr. Kendra Outler's Heart Health Newsletter
Walk With A Doc Website
GirlTrek Website
댓글