Black & Brown Run Around 5K: Uniting for health and wealth equity

MILWAUKEE - Hundreds laced up their sneakers at Veterans Park for the first Black & Brown 5K walk and run on Saturday, Sept. 30.

Dance, food and laughter filled Veterans Park.

"This couldn't have happened on a better day," said Regina Florez, a Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee member.

North Star Resource Group organized the event to uplift African-American and Hispanic communities in Milwaukee.

"We want to bring attention to health and wealth, right? So these two communities have inequities in health, and while so, let's come out and do something fun," said Lopez Jr.

Throughout the run, everyone joined together.

"My son is biracial as well, so it's great to see different races in people coming together to support," said Lashae Warren.

 From vendors to organizations, many people utilized the event to network.

"I have a freshman daughter at UW-Milwaukee right now who's in the school of nursing, so to connect with the National Association of Hispanic Nurses is something that I didn't even know existed," said Florez. "So this is a great opportunity to network, bring community together to advance." 

All proceeds raised at the run go to Lead2Change, a Milwaukee-based organization that helps young people succeed as they enter their school careers and in the community.

"Your impact today has many ripple effects throughout the city of the vendors, the community, the nonprofit, and helping people," said Lopez Jr.

Organizers said they hope every stride helped unite Milwaukee.

"To bring everybody together. A big hug around Milwaukee today," Lopez Jr. said. "That's all you wanna do."

Nearly 200 runners came out for the Black & Brown Run Around 5K walk and run.

Check out more information about the event at the Black & Brown Run Around 5K website.