Saluting the African American Wellness Agency

Partners in Business, Activism, and Life - John and Pamela Gregory

It is a milestone year for John and Pamela Gregory are celebrating 20 years of the African American Wellness Agency (AAMWA) Walk. The event has become a summertime staple in Central Ohio and is now taking place nationwide. For the Gregory’s, The Walk is just one way they are trying to improve lives in urban communities. Their mission is ever-expanding, and their appetite for change and equity proves to be limitless. “We are driven by our calling. There is no other word for it,” says Pamela Gregory.

John and Pamela Gregory are the visionary founders of the National Center for Urban Solutions (NCUS), a nonprofit organization that has transformed the lives of tens of thousands of people for nearly 30 years and was most recently ranked as the third fastest-growing company in Central Ohio by Columbus Business First. Since 1995, they have been empowering people to overcome poverty and achieve economic independence through their innovative and community-based programs.

Solving A Health Crisis

“Twenty years ago, we were trying to find a correlation between Black men and their ability to get a job, keep a job, and stay at a job,” says John Gregory, Co-Founder, AAMWA.

NCUS partnered with Riverside Hospital for a research project in which several hundred men were employed. As part of the project, the men were required to pick up a check once a week and get a biometric screening, which tells if an individual is obese and is at risk for diabetes and high blood pressure. After 120 days, the project found nearly 90 percent of men 30 years of age and younger had biometric numbers above normal. It concluded that Black men were getting sicker at a younger age than previously predicted.

“What started as a workforce question turned out to be an answer to a health crisis,” says John Gregory. During a focus group, Gregory recounts the story of a doctor coming up to him and saying, “Black men are dying, and nobody cares.” Determined to make a difference, after fully realizing the problem they were facing, it was time to come up with a solution. He searched for existing events that raised awareness and funds for all kinds of diseases and causes. Shocked to find out that there were no walks or runs focused on Black men’s health. He knew that Black men had lower life expectancy and higher rates of chronic conditions than other groups. He decided to fill in that gap, as he always did. He teamed up with his wife and started planning the first ever Black Men’s Health Walk, a nationwide initiative to empower and inspire Black men to take charge of their health and well-being.

The first 5K Walk and Run, also known as The Walk to Save Black Men’s Lives, launched in 2004 in Columbus, Ohio, with nearly 700 men. John Gregory says that afterward, the men decided they want- ed to do it again. The Walk offers men the chance to learn their biometric numbers and receive free health screenings. The Gregory’s often speak about the importance of “knowing your numbers.”

“The average life expectancy for a Black man is 12 years shorter than their counterparts,” says Gregory. “We’re looking at how we can close that gap. We close it through awareness and free health screenings.”

Going National

Last year, The Walk in Columbus attracted over 30,000 men and women. For the 20th walk, the Gregory’s are hoping to save more lives by encouraging families to join them at Livingston Park on Saturday, August 12th at 7am to learn their numbers and walk for Black men’s lives. This is the firstyear women of color will be able to participate in free screening as well.

John and Pamela Gregory have been expanding their footprint over the years. Ten years after stepping off in Columbus, Black men started walking in Youngstown & Toledo. The walk continued to spread and now reaches 15 cities from coast to coast.

“We only go into a city if we’re invited. We don’t choose a city. The city chooses us,” says Pamela Gregory, Co-Founder, AAMWA.

The first Walk of 2023 kicked off in Houston, Texas. The city’s inaugural Walk to Save Black Men’s Lives brought out nearly 4,0000 Houstonians, including Mayor Sylvester Turner, who served as the honorary chairman.

More Than A Walk

As part of the AAMWA’s vision to expand its outreach, the agency hosts year-round events covering a wide array of topics. The agency focuses on several key initiatives, including mental wellness, financial health, fatherhood, substance abuse, research, and women’s health.

John Gregory sees research as a critical part of the organization. The agency recently partnered with The Ohio State University for Black Impact 100. The community-driven project recruited 100 Black men to work with health coaches, meet weekly for exercise and education, and form strong bonds with the researchers. As a result, the men saw improvements in their weight and blood pressure and formed strong connections with the researchers.

“We engaged in doing community-based research because we knew that African Americans were less likely to participate in research,” says John Gregory.

The mental wellness arm of the agency hosts several events each year designed to help men talk about their feelings and end the stigma of mental illness in the Black community. According to a national study, only 26% of Black and Hispanic men who experienced daily feelings of anxiety or depression were likely to have used mental health services.

The AAMWA has launched Uplift Her, a Women’s Wellness Initiative that empowers women of color to take charge of their health and well-being. Uplift Her provides access to information, resources and services that address the health disparities faced by women of color, who are more likely to suffer from breast cancer, heart disease and stroke. Uplift Her is a response to the community’s demand for accountability and action from the AAMWA. “We are committed to creating a culture of wellness for women of color in our region”, says Pamela Gregory.

Knowledge Is Power

The Gregory’s are passionate about health and education. They think that being healthy and knowledgeable can make a big difference in life. That’s why they created the Academy for Urban Scholars High School (AUS) Columbus in 2011 and AUS Youngstown in 2013. The high schools are special because they help students get ready for work by earning certificates that employers value. The students also learn how to be caring, critical thinkers, and lifelong learners who can succeed in a diverse world.

“It is never too late to graduate,” says Pamela Gregory. It was a day of joy and celebration for Clara Foster, who finally achieved her lifelong dream of graduating from high school at the age of 74. She was one of the many students who enrolled in the adult education program offered by AUS, a nonprofit organization that helps people of all ages and backgrounds to get their diplomas.

The Gregory’s launched NCUS TEC, a technical education center that offers training in high-demand sectors such as advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and construction. NCUS TEC aims to empower students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the Central Ohio job market.

“We look at the issues in our community,” said Pamela Gregory. “We know that technology is taking off in every industry. How do we make sure our community is prepared so they know where the future is going? Through NCUS TEC, we are bringing the certifications to the community.”

The Gregory’s are passionate about education and its power to transform lives. They have dedicated their careers to supporting students and teachers in their pursuit of knowledge and skills. Education is not only a personal benefit, but also a social responsibility. “We owe it to our ancestors who fought and sacrificed for our right to learn and grow. We honor their memory by helping others achieve their potential and contribute to society.” they say. Education is a gift that keeps on giving, and they are proud to be part of this noble mission.

Life Works When You Do

The Gregory’s are passionate about empowering people and fostering self-reliance. They have received prestigious recognition from the White House and have collaborated with global giants like Google, Amazon, and Johnson & Johnson.

These collaborations have enabled NCUS to broaden its reach and impact even more lives. Additionally, the organization has cultivated strong relationships within the local community, working closely with entities like the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, Johnson & Johnson, and others. Recently, NCUS collaborated with The Ohio State University and the Walsh-Turner Joint Venture on the new Wexner Inpatient Hospital. The organization helped small contractors get in on the billion-dollar construction project. These partnerships have facilitated a comprehensive and community-driven approach to addressing societal challenges.

The Gregory’s have a vision of transforming urban communities through holistic health. They believe that every aspect of their organization contributes to this mission. “We want to help people become healthy and productive members of society, who can benefit from the economic opportunities here and elsewhere,” they say. “We don’t just care about physical health, but also mental and social well-being. That’s why we offer education and employment programs as well.”

Walking In Purpose

It is a milestone year for the Gregory’s. Do not expect them to bask in it. They do not rest on their laurels. They approach each new day with the same zeal. The

Gregory’s are constantly thinking up new ways to reach people and expand their outreach.

The Gregory’s are passionate about promoting wellness among African Americans. Their vision is to create a National Day of Celebration and action for wellness in the black community. They also want to build health centers where people can access resources and support for their well-being. The Gregory’s say they are always looking for new ways to spread their message and help others. They love what they do, and they don’t see it as work at all.