Franklin County leaders promote Black Men's Wellness Day, highlight free health screenings

Franklin County Commissioner Erica Crawley and County Administrator Ken Wilson promoted Black Men's Wellness Day, urging residents to take advantage of free screenings and community resources designed to encourage preventative care.

Crawley, who represents the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, said the board has long supported the African American male wellness agency and its annual event because it ‘‘meets people where they are’’ and helps raise life expectancy through early detection. "We don't just invest in organizations. We believe in investing in people," she said, adding that the county wants to prevent health crises "not on our watch."

The event offers "thousands of free health screenings," organizers said, including blood-pressure checks, diabetes screening and cholesterol tests, and connects families with resources that can improve or save lives. "When you come to the wellness day, you can get your blood pressure checked, your diabetes checked, cholesterol, and then really take control of the life that you wanna live," Crawley said.

Ken Wilson, identified in the program as Franklin County's county administrator and this year's honorary chair, said he accepted the role to help improve health outcomes for groups that have historically experienced poorer health. "It was an easy yes for me, because in Franklin County, we are about improving health outcomes for every resident, particularly, groups that have historically had poor health outcomes," Wilson said. He added, "Your most important project in life is yourself."

Both officials encouraged partnerships with the African American male wellness agency. Crawley called the agency "a critical partner" that brings thousands of people to wellness events and helps break down barriers to care. Wilson described a friendly outreach competition with Charles Hillman aimed at boosting turnout and screenings for the community's benefit.

The officials framed the event as family-oriented and preventive: Crawley used the event slogan, "get checked so we don't get checked in," and stressed the county's role in supporting efforts that help people live longer, healthier lives.

Organizers did not provide a specific date, location, or funding breakdown in the recorded remarks; those details were not specified in the transcript. The program emphasized outreach and screening access rather than new county ordinances or formal actions.