Black Girls RUN! was created in an effort to tackle the growing obesity epidemic in the African-American community and provide encouragement and resources to both new and veteran runners.The goal of “Black Girls Run” is to encourage and motivate black women to practice a healthy lifestyle. We want to serve as a fitness resource for runners and gym rats alike, as well as provide tips and commentary on staying active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. But we also want to start a movement to encourage ALL women to get off the couch and get active. Black Girls RUN! wants to encourage African-American women to make fitness and healthy living a priority. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 80% of African-American women are overweight. BGR! wants to create a movement to lower that percentage and subsequently, lower the number of women with chronic diseases associated with an unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle. Black Men Run was created to encourage health and wellness among African American men by promoting a culture of running to stay fit, resulting in “A Healthy Brotherhood.” We have chapters in 55 cities throughout the US across 30 states, as well as London and Okinawa, Japan. Our nonprofit, BMR Foundation, supports various initiatives including mental health, literacy, diabetes & hypertension awareness and prevention, and fatherhood programs.