On September 20, 2025, the City of South Fulton will host the Inaugural Community Wellness Day 5K Walk/Run, organized by the Economic Empowerment Committee of the 100 Black Men of South Metro Atlanta. Old National Merchant’s Association welcomed the partnership of their existing 5K and the mesh has yielded fruitful results. Merlin Knight, chairman of the committee, has worked diligently to bring this event to fruition. It’s more than an event—it’s a mission, a call to action, and a resurrection of community-centered health equity with real, measurable outcomes.
For Event Coordinator LaDray Gilbert, it’s personal.
“My father found out he had stage 4 lung cancer and died within months,” Gilbert shares. “He never had a chance. This initiative is about giving others that chance—early, educated, and empowered,” remarks Gilbert, who joins Audrey Toles-Miller and Stephanie Carnegie as event co-coordinators.
What began as a bold idea has rapidly become a multi-layered, city-shaking movement. With a goal of screening 500 men and women in one day, Gilbert’s leadership has transformed a local walk into a comprehensive community intervention with the potential to save hundreds of lives.
Backed by healthcare giants like Morehouse School of Medicine, Grady Hospital, and Emory Healthcare, the event will offer on-site screenings and health education across a spectrum of critical areas. Kaiser Permanente, Ujamaa Construction, and other partners have also contributed financial support to ensure the event’s success. Screenings will include Heart Health & Diabetes (Biometric Screenings), Prostate Health (PSA Screenings & Education), Breast Health (Mammograms & Education), Lung Health (Cancer Assessments & Education), Colorectal Health (Cancer Assessments & Education), Mental Health & Wellness (Cognitive Assessments & Education), Organ, Tissue & Blood Donation (Registrations & Resources), Clinical Trial & Research Awareness (Education & Sign-Up), HIV & STD Awareness (Screening & Education), and Vision, Dental, and Additional Services (as available).
But Gilbert didn’t stop with clinics and hospitals. His strategy includes some of Georgia’s most powerful influencers. He secured Michael Hightower—respected former Fulton County Commissioner and titan of public-private partnerships—as Honorary Chair. That alone sent a signal to political and civic leaders that this wasn’t just another 5K; this was a movement!
Then came CeeLo Green, the Grammy-winning artist and Atlanta legend, who added cultural flair and generational reach to the campaign. Gilbert knew that to change behavior, you had to shift the culture—so he brought in voices people respect and revere.
Gilbert also engaged both sides of the Georgia Legislature—the House of Representatives and the Senate—through the public support of State Representative Eric Bell and Senator RaShaun Kemp, who now serve as event ambassadors. Two voices, two chambers—united around one shared cause: saving lives in communities that often go unheard and unseen.
“This isn’t about politics. It’s about people,” Gilbert insists. “And people are dying because they didn’t know what was happening inside their own bodies.”
With a litany of professionals volunteering their time and expertise, Community Wellness Day has become a model for how public health, politics, and grassroots organizing can work in tandem to drive real, lasting change. From the moment he was named Event Coordinator, Gilbert has operated with the same strategic precision he’s known for in courtrooms and campaigns. He built an elite team covering every logistical angle: Event Logistics led by Twila Hackney; Health Screenings coordinated by Dr. Frank Jones, MD; Outreach & Community Engagement driven by Merlin Knight; and comprehensive oversight of marketing, volunteers, vendor management, entertainment, and faith partnerships.
The event also features signature programmatic zones such as “Brother, Let’s Talk About It” (Men’s Mental Health and Barbershop Talks), “She Matters Initiative” (Women’s Health & Wellness including a Brunch featuring College Park Mayor Bianca Motley Broom), and “Grilling With My Daddy” (a celebration of fatherhood and family legacy). Every detail, every dollar, every voice—aligned and moving under Gilbert’s unrelenting vision.
LaDray B. Gilbert, JD, is not just producing an event—he’s launching a movement that saves lives, reshapes communities, and redefines leadership. Community Wellness Day is what happens when brilliance, love, and urgency collide.
“We’ve watched too many men and women die simply because they didn’t have access or awareness,” he says. “I’m building the kind of system I wish my dad had. That’s what this is about.”
On September 20, 2025, South Metro Atlanta won’t just witness an event. They’ll witness a standard being set—one designed, led, and executed by a man who moves with purpose and builds with precision.
Community Wellness Day 5K Walk/Run
Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
Time: 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Old National Commons
Address: 5495 Old National Hwy, College Park, GA 30349
Goal: Screen 500+ men and women | Inspire thousands more
Presented by: The 100 Black Men of South Metro Atlanta, Economic Empowerment Committee