Black Men Hike Non-profit Helps Black Men Find Peace In Nature

Black men are hiking their way to better health.

Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for Black men ages 15-24. Twenty-six percent of Black and Hispanic men, ages 18-44, are likely to have used mental health services, according to the US Department of Health and the National Center for Health Statistics.

According to CBS News, a group of hikers have been hiking for a better cause since the aftermath of George Floyd’s death.

In comes Black Men Hike, a nonprofit that is standing on business. It all starts with a greeting, a handshake, a stretch, hydration, preparation, etc.

The group does all of this to promote mental and physical health among Black men.

Who started this? Jelani Nattey, a Northeast Ohio native and once a corporate tax professional, founded the organization. This organization is all about zen, meditation and solutions to figure out ways to solve problems. For this organization, it’s all about tranquility and bringing good brothers peace — something the world needs more of because of the ongoing physical and mental assault on Black men across the country — and the world.

One can find a large group of Black men hiking on a trail in LA, speaking daily affirmations to create those positive vibes.

“Sometimes being a Black man, the day-to-day can be tough, and having that underlying understanding a lot allows you to be safe and being able to speak through your experience,” Nattey said to CBS News.

The organization has also developed youth programs to take children on hikes, teaching them the importance of mental health at a very young age.

According to the website, Black Men Hike started in 2019 as a small group of friends taking in the benefits of nature. The group then developed into a monthly event “enjoyed by many Black Men across Los Angeles County."

But it wasn’t until early 2022 that Black Men Hike officially became a 501©(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization to obtain the resources necessary to go way beyond its reach and impact its very own community.