GirlTrek is a nonprofit organization that organizes tens of thousands of Black women and girls to address the health crisis in African American communities. GirlTrek hosts a national walking campaign, a powerful social media network, a service–leadership program, training retreats and outdoor fitness excursions.

One million strong!

We will build an online community of one million healthy black women and girls by 2015.

100,000 Trekkers on the Streets! GirlTrek will help one hundred thousand women and girls complete the 10-week walking challenge and jump start healthier lives.

1000 Local Health Leaders! GirlTrek will select, train and support 100 women and girls to serve as health leaders in Black communities–trailblazers, trek leaders, church challenge leaders and city reps.

Our Mission

GirlTrek supports and inspires Black women and girls to live their healthiest, most fulfilled lives. Their stories, skills and collective efforts will transform the beliefs, traditions and aspirations of their families and inspire healthier communities across the country.

Walking is our sport. GirlTrek’s 10-week walking challenge is inspired by women in history who walked for change–from freedom seekers to bus boycotters–and seeks to re-establish walking as a transformative tradition in African American communities. Walking dramatically improves physical health, prevents disease and reduces stress. With teams of women reclaiming their streets each season, GirlTrek plays a pivotal role in making neighborhoods safer for girls and more “walkable” for citizens at-large.

Why? 80% of black women are currently overweight. Black women are disproportionately affected by and dying from preventable diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. One in two black girls born in 2000 will develop Type II Diabetes unless diet and levels of activity change. This is our call to action.

Our current advocacy efforts center on promoting healthy role models through a robust multimedia campaign and making our communities more “walkable” through stewardship of the natural environment, community–building, improvements to infrastructure and support of local health businesses.

For more information go to: http://www.girltrek.org.