Shontia Whitehead: Building Community Through Health and Wellness

TraeAnna Holiday, the host of The Day With Trae, recently interviewed Shontia Whitehead, one of the founders of the health and fitness nonprofit Free Flo Fit. Whitehead talked about how she got involved with Free Flo Fit, the organization's annual event Fit Melanin Summer, and the importance of building relationships within the community.

Whitehead explained that Free Flo Fit was born out of a desire to make health and wellness more accessible and inclusive for people of color. Whitehead and her co-founder Desi led a workout at the annual Seattle festival Moja Fest, and the overwhelmingly positive response from the community inspired them to create Free Flo Fit a year later.

The annual Fit Melanin Summer event is a celebration of health, wellness, and community for people of color. The event features a variety of activities, including workouts, field games, entertainment, and a pop-up market. Whitehead emphasized the importance of representation at the event, stating that all of the instructors and performers are people of color. This year's Fit Melanin Summer will be held on August 17th from 2 to 7pm at Stuart Heights Park in Tacoma, Washington. The event is free and open to the public.

Whitehead also discussed the importance of building relationships within the community. Free Flo Fit partners with local businesses and organizations to help make Fit Melanin Summer a success. The Seahawks have been a particularly valuable partner, donating swag and providing entertainment. Lululemon has also been a generous supporter, providing funding for food trucks, water bottles, yoga mats, and gift cards.

Shontia Whitehead's interview on The Day With Trae provided valuable insights into the origins of Free Flo Fit, the organization's annual event Fit Melanin Summer, and the importance of building relationships within the community. Whitehead's passion for health, wellness, and inclusivity is evident in her work with Free Flo Fit, and her interview is an inspiring reminder of the power of community.

To learn more about Free Flo Fit and how you can get involved, visit their website at freeflofit.com or follow them on social media @freeflofit.

Photos by Susan Fried on behalf of Converge Media