The pilot project launches today in 14 cities throughout the country—including Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles and Houston—and will involve African-American youth ages 11 to 18.

Each of the 100 BMOA pilot sites will distribute the American Heart Association’s Family Health History Tree posters to their youth mentees, who will then complete it with their families.  The poster helps families get to the root of their health history by filling in the names of family members and choosing the corresponding health conditions listed on the Family Tree.  

The poster can be shared with a healthcare provider, who can work with individuals on a plan to reduce the risk of stroke for the individual and his/her family.

 “This partnership will foster a pipeline of future leadership by encouraging youth mentees to serve as the next generation of ambassadors for the American Heart Association’s cause, Power To End Stroke,” said Albert Dotson, Jr., chairman of the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. “These Youth Power Ambassadors will be the inspiration and educators for their communities and their families.”

The partnership also will provide “a deeper grassroots education about the burden of stroke, which is greater among African Americans than other ethnic groups,” said Clyde W. Yancy, M.D., President of the American Heart Association. “African Americans have almost twice the risk of first-ever stroke compared to white Americans and about 100,000 African Americans will suffer a stroke this year.  In fact, it is the third leading cause of death in the United States.”

The organizations will help youth to be health leaders in their homes and communities, Dotson added. “Our responsibility as leaders in our respective chapters is to give back to our youth and empower our communities. Our youth will serve as the role models of a healthier generation.”

            In addition to the Family Health History Tree, the American Heart Association is creating a co-branded Tribute site available from PowerToEndStroke.org.  People residing in the pilot cities may support the partnership by making a personal contribution via the Tribute site. These online donations will benefit the American Heart Association and 100 Black Men of America.

            The 14 pilot sites participating in the stroke education project are: Atlanta; Jackson, Miss.; Greater Miami Area, Fla.; Washington D.C. (includes Baltimore); Chicago; Indianapolis; St. Louis; Dallas; Houston; Little Rock, Ark.; Bay Area, Calif. (includes Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley, Richmond and Emeryville); Las Vegas; Los Angeles; and Sacramento, Calif.           

For more stroke information, visit powertoendstroke.org.

# # #

About the American Heart Association

Founded in 1924, we’re the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke.  To help prevent, treat and defeat these diseases — America’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers — we fund cutting-edge research, conduct lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocate to protect public health.  To learn more or join us in helping all Americans, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit americanheart.org.

­

About 100 Black Men of America, Inc.

100 Black Men was founded as an organization in New York City in 1963. The national organization, 100 Black Men of America, Inc. began with nine chapters in 1986 as a national alliance of leading African American men of business, industry, public affairs and government with a mission to improve the quality of life for African Americans, particularly African American youth. Today, under the direction of Albert E. Dotson, Jr., the organization has 110 chapters, and growing, in the United States, England and the

Caribbean. Members represent a myriad of professions including corporate executives, physicians, attorneys, entrepreneurs, entertainers, elected officials, professional athletes, educators and men from numerous other professions that have created an international coalition focused on creating educational opportunities, promoting economic empowerment, addressing health disparities and creating positive, nurturing mentoring relationships. The men of the 100 are committed as individuals, and as an organization, to increasing our engagement with youth, and to influence others to become mentors who

will literally change the future for a young person. This change reverberates exponentially to our communities, our nation and the world.

Contact:

Elisa Ramirez-Johnson, (214) 706-1508

American Heart Association

Elisa.Ramirez-Johnson@heart.org

Erik Burton, (770) 294-8475

100 Black Men of American

erik.burton@100bmoa.org