$700K Grant Renewed Supporting African American Male Wellness Agency

Franklin County Board of Commissioners I Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners has approved a $700,000 grant agreement with the African American Male Wellness Agency to continue its health and wellness programming across the county. The vote, taken at the March 24 General Session, extends a partnership aimed at reducing health disparities and improving outcomes for Black men and women in Franklin County. 

The African American Male Wellness Agency works to increase life expectancy by addressing premature death and chronic disease. Its programming spans physical health, mental health, financial wellbeing, and community-based research. Through this agreement, the agency will deliver several large-scale initiatives, including the 23rd Annual Black Men's Wellness Day and Uplift Her Women's Wellness Day, both designed to provide preventative health screenings, health education, and broader access to care. 

Agency president Perry Gregory told commissioners the annual Black Men's Wellness Day is moving to Long Street this year, a change driven by community input and a direct request to bring the event closer to neighborhood residents. The event will be held near Columbus State and the King Lincoln District. 

The agency's monthly Real Men Real Talk sessions drew particular attention from Commissioner Kevin L. Boyce, who attended a session last Thursday. Roughly 50 young men were present. Boyce noted the sessions were reaching people in a meaningful way, including men across income levels who were openly discussing mental health challenges in a peer environment. 

Boyce also encouraged the agency to invest in stronger data tracking, citing it as key to demonstrating long-term impact and ensuring the county's continued investment is directed where it produces measurable results. 

Additional programming funded through the agreement includes HIV Awareness Day, the Proud Dad Cookout, the Financial Empowerment Summit, and the Real Men Real Talk conference.