We understood the assignment: Central State University at the 23rd African American Wellness Walk

A large contingent of Central State University Marauders, alumni, faculty, and staff represented the University with purpose and pride at the 23rd annual African American Wellness Walk on Aug. 12 in Dayton.

Sponsored by Premier Health, the event raises funds for Ohio's two Historically Black Universities — Central State, the state's only public Historically Black College or University (HBCU), and neighboring Wilberforce University, a private institution. It is also an opportunity to raise awareness about racial heart health disparities and highlight alarming underlying health conditions in minority communities, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Central State representatives in attendance included student-athletes from the football, men's basketball, and cheerleading teams with Athletic Director Kevicia Brown; the Student Government Association; Counseling Services; Greek Life; and leadership including F. Erik Brooks, Ph.D., provost and vice president of Academic Affairs; Ryan Griffin, Ed.D, interim vice president of Student Affairs; Keith Aaron Perkins, director, Alumni Relations; and Kim Jones, director, Strategic Partnerships and External Affairs. 

"I thank Premier Health (and) all of you who came out and walked today," Brooks said from the stage. "Let's make sure we keep this going because we know that the health disparities hit the Black community hard, and we want to be able to combat some of those things. So we just thank you for coming out and we're going to end the way we always end — For God. For Central. For state."