Health Equity and Public Health to Become Focus of American Council on Exercise’s Black History Month Dialogues

SOURCE: American Council on Exercise

• Live Facebook discussions to explore the systemic issues that largely affect the health of Black communities
• Guest speakers to explore how the fitness industry can support Black fitness professionals and their communities
• Discussion to cover what this lack of access means for Black communities during COVID-19

WHAT:
The American Council on Exercise announces its dialogue series on public health inequities that affect Black communities, including the lack of representation within the fitness industry. This two-part series will take place during Black History Month and will be hosted by ACE's President and Chief Science Officer Cedric Bryant. The series will be live on ACE’s Facebook Page.

WHY:

This series aims to spark discussion around equity, diversity and inclusion, beginning with amplifying Black fitness professionals.According to Fit For Us, the majority of Black people in America don’t have access to quality health- and fitness-related resources. Fit For Us also reports that predominantly Black populated areas are less likely to have a gym and recreational center and that people in those areas are 51% more likely to be obese compared to non-Hispanic Whites.

DIALOGUES:

Topic: Health equity, public health and physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• When: Feb. 5 at 8:30 a.m. PST

• Guest Speakers:  

• Antonio Williams, Ph. D., associate professor at Indiana University Bloomington, School of Public Health

• Rory James, MPH director of Office of Student Diversity & Inclusion at Indiana University Bloomington, School of Public Health. 

Topic: How the fitness industry can support Black fitness professionals and underserved communities

• When:  Feb. 16 at 10:30 a.m. PST

• Guest Speaker:  

• Deja Riley, director of culture for Fit For Us,

ADDITIONAL DETAILS AND CONTACT:

• Organization: American Council on Exercise

• Date/time:

• Friday, Feb. 5 from 8:30-9 a.m. PST

• Tuesday, Feb. 16 from 10:30-11 a.m. PST

• Interviews available: Contact Hector Zermeño, [email protected]

• Link to use in your story: 

• https://www.acefitness.org/

• https://www.facebook.com/ACEfitness/

The American Council on Exercise is a nonprofit organization with global reach that works to improve physical-activity levels by certifying exercise professionals and health coaches, publishing original research, convening experts on physical activity health, working directly with community groups, and advocating for policies to get people from all walks of life moving. The 90,000 exercise professionals and health coaches certified by ACE are among the most respected in the world of fitness, helping people embrace physical activity and adopt healthier lifestyles. For more information, call 800-825-3636 or visit ACEfitness.org. AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EXERCISE, ACE and ACE logos are Registered Trademarks of the American Council on Exercise.