A local group of women dispel the myth that black women don't exercise through their group, Black Girls Run, an affiliate of the national organization on a mission to reduce health disparities in our community. Click to listen

Brickhouse, Stacked, Big Boned, Thick, Curvy, Bootylicious. Our mothers taught us that being a big boned, never hurt anybody and men showed affection to women who had thick thighs and hips. The unseen reality is that 4 out of 5 black women are overweight or obese.  That’s 80 percent of our mothers, daughters, sisters, nieces, etc. who are at risk for a myriad of health issues. The question remains, what are we doing to reduce that number?

In 2009, Ashley Hicks and Toni Carey set out to make a difference by creating Black Girls Run in an effort to tackle the growing obesity epidemic in the African-American community as well as provide resources to both new and veteran runners.  The mission of Black Girls Run is to encourage African-American women to make fitness and healthy living a priority.

Locally, Leslie Jackson, Michelle Filmore, and a dedicated few, pound the pavement with women on a mission to live healthy lifestyles. The women connect weekly in different neighborhoods around Orlando and whether you run, walk, wog (walk and jog) or crawl the mission is to get us out and moving. From beginner to advanced, BGR is dedicated to shrinking waistlines and statistics.

Join the group on Facebook: Black Girls Run Orlando and get in on the action!