COLUMBUS, Ohio — The annual National African American Male Wellness Walk/Run in Columbus is back and this year the organization will host seven days of events leading up to the walk called Black Men's Health Week.

The events, which include a job fair, service day and a concert, will be held from Aug. 7-14.

“We wanted to create a week of events to more provide diverse opportunities for the African American community to capitalize on their health and wellness," said executive director Marlon Platt in a press release. "By placing our annual event on a larger platform, this will display the portfolio of what our agency can do for African American communities.”

The National African American Male Wellness Walk/Run (AAMWW) was established in 2004 as a one-day event to bring awareness to African American men dying from preventable diseases 10 times the rate of other men, officials said in a press release.

However, today it's an annual event in over 12 cities throughout the country, officials said.

Last year, due to ongoing social unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization held a Freedom Walk.

The Freedom Walk was a "call to the entire country to walk in their neighborhood to bring awareness to these issues," officials said.

The virtual event was held in more than 30 states.

The organization was founded by John H. Gregory of Columbus.

"This event allows men and their families across the country to obtain free health screenings and raise awareness in living a healthier lifestyle," Gregory said on the organization's website.

This year's National African American Male Wellness Walk/Run steps off at 7 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 14 at Livingstone Park in Columbus.

For more information on Black Men’s Health Week, visit aawellness.org.