I participated in my first run club event near the Nashville Farmers Market, and in 93-degree heat. The Nashville Black Wellness Collective hosts a 2 MILE TUESDAY twice every month. Over a hundred runners pre-registered for the run, and even more turned out. Still, at my grown age, I am skeptical and well past drinking the Kool-Aid. Here’s my objective, no-nonsense take.
WHO IS IT FOR? AND WHY THIS MATTERS
As the crowd arrived, the DJ spun timeless classics to rev up our engines. Strollers, wagons, and runners young and old flooded the space. The organizers made clear that the event was open to all, even though they promote it as Black-centered. Fathers were out in full force, walking their families onto the grass where the action was about to start. A cluster of vendor tents lined the area, offering runners easy access to water, slushies, fresh fruit, smoothies, and recovery sessions from Massage of Nashville.
Wellness clubs are having a moment right now. According to a 2025 study, the global wellness sector has expanded into a $6.3 trillion industry. This includes corporate wellness, digital health innovations, wellness tourism, public health, and functional medicine.
WHAT MEMBERS ARE SAYING: What Is the Hype Really About?
Arriving early gave me a chance to connect with some of the attendees, including sisters Hadiyah Evans-El, 30, and Raphaela Evans-El, 37. For Hadiyah, a regular walker and jogger, the event was a natural extension of her wellness routine. Raphaela agreed, noting that trading the indoor gym for outdoor runs allows her to enjoy being surrounded by nature.
Medical professionals Stephanie McClure, 56, and Adrienne Davidson, 65, shared that participating in the run was supplemental to what they do in their profession.
When I asked Stephanie and Adrienne why they prefer these group runs over a traditional gym, they highlighted:
“I think it is because… you have more motivation when you’re in the community… It’s harder when you’re by yourself. We meet people that might be walkers and encourage them to do a little bit of running and then push each other.” – Adrienne Davidson
MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: A Community of Care Theme Throughout
As someone who has practiced beach yoga for more than five years, I trained myself for a calm flow fitness routine. I wasn’t expecting the level of intention and care that ran through every aspect of the run. From the moment we set off, organizers reminded us to look out for one another—and everyone took that ethos to heart. Nearby, a six-year-old boy kept checking on his mother, asking, “Ma, you alright?” and asking about her step count. She’d glance down at her Fitbit with a smile, reading off the numbers to keep him reassured.
The organizers designed the loop with careful intention—guiding us past the Tennessee State Capitol, historical state markers, local museums, a baseball stadium, and through the charming streets of Germantown.
By the time we hit the home stretch, sweeping views of the downtown skyline greeted us. By minute 52, my legs were feeling the burn, but turning onto Hume Street delivered a merciful breeze. The sun was very much alive but slowly dipping below the high-rises.
Crossing the finish line at 7:15 PM, I bumped into Hadiyah on my way to the car, and she didn’t hesitate to tell me she’d be back again. As for myself, I think I torched calories my body didn’t even realize were there. The ride home was smooth sailing with zero traffic.
National Wellness Month
August is National Wellness Month, but true wellness extends far beyond physical fitness. When I asked a 24-year-old California transplant why she joined the run, she said it gave her a safe space to socialize while she navigated her anxiety.
Nashville doesn’t have many Black spaces. Seeing people who looked like her still brought a sense of comfort.Beyond just the physical exercise, group runs offer a safe, therapeutic outlet to release stress and build stamina.
Did It Measure Up to the Hype?
Overall, the organizers thoughtfully centered the Nashville event around participant care from beginning to end. Between the cheer teams holding signs at intervals throughout the run, the vendor village, and line dancing after the big finish, they made the physical exertion feel worthwhile. The organizers even brought in a voter registration tent to support civic engagement alongside physical health.
Many groups, like Black Girls Run (BGR), charge nothing or run on donations, making it easy to find a squad that caters to your individual taste, pace, and environmental setting.
[all photo credits: Latesia Coleman]
About the author
Dr. Latesia Coleman is an Education Consultant and Program Manager specializing in Data Analytics for Policy & Public Management. She is an experienced principal researcher, author, secondary mathematics teacher, and grant writer with expertise in organizational improvement, communication, and forging partnerships with internal and external stakeholders. Dr. Coleman has extensive experience developing and implementing innovative, standards-based curricula, compliance frameworks, and mixed-methods research.
She is the Founder and CEO of Multi-Plex Consulting and previously served as an Associate Researcher for the EcoFem Lab at the University of South Florida.
The post August is Wellness Month: Why Black Women Are Choosing Run Clubs & Wellness Coalitions first appeared on FLUENT IN BLK.
