We continue our discussion on men’s health in light of the event Black Men United: Let’s reason about football, fatherhood and health, that took place on November 23rd. (1)

For some it might seem like a curious mix but given that Afrikan people over sixteen reportedly have among the highest rates of physical activity , it is certainly worth exploring. (2) Worryingly, the trend appears to be continuing with the children. A pre-plandemic report from Sport England suggested that “Black children missing out most on physical activity in England.” Some of the factors cited included economic hardship and lack of access to outdoor spaces. (3)

So clearly, creative intergenerational strategies are required to address these issues.

(1) Afrika Speaks with Alkebu-Lan on Galaxy Radio (18/11/24) Is Black men’s health a “silent catastrophe”? https://alkebulan.org/2024/11/18/aswag-511-mens-health-silent-catastrophe/
(2) Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (31/01/19) Physical inactivity. https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/health/diet-and-exercise/physical-inactivity/latest/#by-ethnicity
(3) Sally Weale (09/12/21) Black children missing out most on physical activity in England, survey finds. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/dec/09/black-children-missing-out-most-on-physical-activity-in-england-survey-finds

So tonight we ask the question:

Is Black men’s health a “silent catastrophe”? Part 2

1) Did you attend the Black Men United event?
2) Can football/sport really play a role in mental as well as physical health?
3) How can the trend of declining participation in sport be reversed?
4) What strategies do we need to put in place to address it?

Our Special Guests:

Bro. Omwale Quow: is a distinguished Pan Afrikan community activist with over 37 years dedicated service and a member of the leadership of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement. He promotes Afrikan spirituality and culture, inspired by the Rt Hon. Marcus Garvey and Malcolm X. He founded Jegna Family Support Services, a grassroots organisation supporting neurodivergent children, ex-offenders, and school refusers. His experience includes pupil referral units, street mentoring, family mediation, and math tutoring. As a Community Research Champion, he addresses health inequalities in the Afrikan heritage community and organises events on Afrikan men’s health.

Sis. Patricia “Blaze” Wharton: is an organiser and activist that has spent over 30 years of her professional career supporting children and families including with issues like Social and school Exclusions, self-harming, depression and other challenges. She is also a freelance Parenting Practitioner offering Parenting Seminars workshops and courses, including running programmes in prison. Sis. Patricia organises community events and initiatives on a range of issues including, arts, culture and health and is the presenter for ‘The Let’s Talk Show’ on Chalkhill Community Radio Station.

Bro. Michael Adams: is an internationally respected communicator, consultant, therapist and human behaviour specialist. In a career that spans 40 plus years, across 4 continents he has consulted for international brands globally in both private and public sector settings. Coach Michael is a broadcaster, podcaster and public speaker and set up the Cultural Media Centre at the Jason Roberts Foundation (JRF) during the covid intervention which both captures JRF activity and teaches young people media skills ranging from pre to post audio and video production to presenting and editing. A qualified Psychotherapist, Coach Michael in the past decade, has focused on individual and collective therapy and developing new non-invasive therapeutic tools to assist people to function at their optimum. He is passionate about philosophy and also the visibility of people of colour and how they show up in this world.

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