AAMWA works to save Black men’s and their families lives by improving their physical, mental and financial health. Credit: Jamail Johnson
For Jamail Johnson, health advocacy wasn’t a career choice but a calling born of loss and the urgent need for change.
It all began in the spring of 2023. Johnson was preparing Houston’s inaugural Black Men’s Wellness Day, an ambitious effort to bring health resources directly to a community long underserved. But as he juggled logistics, he received devastating news—his brother-in-law had passed away suddenly from a heart attack, a direct result of undiagnosed hypertension.
“He was only 45. He had so much life left to live,” Johnson said. “That moment made me realize just how dire the situation is for Black men. Too many of us are dying from things that are entirely preventable.”
Johnson’s connection to his community has always been a defining part of his identity. Raised in a family that prized education and service—his mother was a dedicated educator in North Forest ISD for 40 years—he grew up understanding the power of giving back. Yet health advocacy wasn’t initially on his radar.
“I wasn’t a doctor, and I didn’t have a background in public health,” Johnson admits. “But what I did have was a love for my people and a willingness to learn.”
That willingness led him to a pivotal encounter with John Gregory, founder of the National African American Male Wellness Agency (NAAMWA). Gregory’s passion for addressing health disparities in the Black community inspired Johnson to consider how he could bring the organization’s mission to Houston. He is the National Executive Director of the African American Male Wellness Agency (AAMWA).
“I wasn’t sure if I was the right person for the job,” Johnson said. “But then I thought about my brother-in-law and all the other men like him. That was all the motivation I needed.”
Transforming tragedy into action
In February 2023, Johnson partnered with NAAMWA to establish Houston’s Black Men’s Wellness Day. The event was designed to go beyond a 5K run, offering free health screenings, mental health workshops and fitness activities tailored to Black men’s needs.
The first event was a resounding success, drawing hundreds of participants from across the city. Johnson remembered a father of two who hadn’t seen a doctor in years. After getting a free blood pressure screening at the event, the man learned his levels were dangerously high.
Stories like that have become a common outcome of Johnson’s efforts. In just under two years, the initiative has provided critical health interventions to hundreds of men, many of whom might otherwise have gone undiagnosed.
AAMWA’s Real Men Real Talk session is an empowering evening where men come together to explore identity and purpose in a supportive and engaging environment. Credit: Laura Onyeneho
Johnson’s approach is rooted in meeting Black men where they are—both physically and emotionally. Recognizing the cultural stigma surrounding health care, he’s worked tirelessly to create welcoming and nonjudgmental environments.
“Barbershops, churches, community centers—those are our hubs,” Johnson said. “If we want to reach Black men, we have to go to the places where they feel most comfortable.”
Building a legacy of wellness
Houston area financial professional Courtney Watson attends his first AAMWA’s Real Men Real Talk session. Credit: Laura Onyeneho
Courtney Watson recently attended AAMWA’s Real Men Real Talk, a community conversation series that provides men with the opportunity to express their feelings, be vulnerable, and talk about their family, well-being, family life, and lifestyle overall.
He wanted to be in an environment where he could be around experienced and wise Black men who could help him become well-rounded.
“Many of us don’t have this support at home. We don’t speak on how to deal with our emotions, dating, or how to properly show up in a world that often breaks us down,” he said. “I see myself contributing my efforts to what they have going on.”
As a financial professional, he hopes to educate his community about personal finance and encourage wealth building.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to go to college, get a degree, work in corporate America, and I want others to experience these opportunities too,” Watson said. “I really like what this organization is doing for young men like myself. I’ll come back for sure.”
The organization also hosts fatherhood initiatives where they create a fun experience for fathers to spend time with their children, as well as mentorship and a research program in partnership with Houston Methodist and Yale University focusing on hypertension in communities of color.
As the movement grows, so does Johnson’s vision. He’s now working to expand Black Men’s Wellness Day into a year-round initiative, complete with fitness challenges, nutritional education and mental health seminars.
His efforts have also garnered support from prominent leaders, including U.S. Congressman Sylvester Turner, The late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, and other local officials. However, Johnson remains focused on the grassroots impact.
“There’s no greater reward than seeing someone take control of their health,” Johnson said. “That’s what keeps me going.”
The impact of Johnson’s work is already being felt far beyond Houston. Inspired by his success, other cities in Texas are now exploring similar initiatives. Meanwhile, Johnson is leveraging his growing platform to advocate for systemic changes, from improving access to affordable health care to addressing food deserts in Black neighborhoods.
“We can’t just treat the symptoms; we have to address the root causes,” he said. “Health equity is about so much more than doctor visits. It’s about creating environments where Black men can thrive.”