February is Black History Month in the United States; an opportunity to celebrate Black excellence and reflect on the push for equality and inclusion that continues today.
At Gympass, the #learningchangingloving affinity group is dedicated to highlighting the Black/African American community’s culture, innovators, and leaders while bringing awareness to the systemic injustices in America in hopes to become more united.
When joining the group, co-lead Julissa Arrington says she “wanted to be in a space where I can learn and share about the Black African American experience while creating a space where allies could be educated and come together.”
The group has organized programming aimed at educating Gympass employees on important figures in Black History, supporting Black communities nationwide, and celebrating Black history and culture in the US.
Members of the affinity group organized and distributed a film list highlighting films that showcase key events in American history such as Hidden Figures, Selma, and 13th. They also shared a comprehensive list of Black-owned health/wellness brands, which features wellness products and Black-owned fitness partners on the Gympass network.
Gympass was also lucky to host several speakers and partners to help us celebrate Black History Month in 2021.
On February 17th, WRKNYC, a Black-owned fitness studio in New York led the team through an intense HIIT workout.
On the 19th, we welcomed Chef Lachelle Cunningham, a Minneapolis-based chef and culinary educator. Chef Cunningham runs the Healthy Root Institute, with a mission focused on healing and social justice through food education, culinary arts, and entrepreneurship.
Chef walked us through a delicious plant-based soul food recipe. She also shared how this cuisine and its evolution have impacted her personal food story.
Lastly, we closed our Black History Month celebrations with a virtual tour of the Rosa Parks Museum at Troy University. The museum guides led us through the exhibits and facilitated a conversation about the Civil Rights movement in the US.
A huge thank you to WRKNYC, Chef Lachelle Cunningham, and the Rosa Parks Museum for helping us celebrate Black History Month at Gympass! And congratulations to the members of the #learningchangingloving affinity group who organized a great month of celebrations!