GirlTrek is a national non-profit that inspires and organizes African - American women and girls, whose communities are most at risk from obesity related illness, to live healthier and more fulfilled lives.

Each spring we launch a national walking campaign where women commit to walk five days a week at least 30 minutes a day for 10 weeks. Once they complete their walking they become "Active Role Models" who document their experience through photos and blogging and share with other women and girls in their communities. Each one, teach one!

We started with 700 women in 2010. Through social media outreach we have built an online community of over 11,000 women. Check our Facebook page! http://www.facebook.com/HealthyBlackWomenandGirls

The testimonies of the women who have been impacted by our program speak for themselves. We tell each women to lace up their shoes and hit the pavement with us because we believe that once they start walking they won't want to stop!

GirlTrek is run by two women - Morgan and Vanessa. We do everything out of our own pockets because we believe in this movement! Currently 80% of Black women are overweight! Researchers predict that by 2034 100% of Black women will be overweight. This is a crisis! We spend millions on health care in this country and countless hours debating the merits of health care reform. What about grass roots advocacy to address the root cause? GirlTrek is our answer. It's our way to roll up our sleeves and get in the fight. Please help us!

(About us - Morgan is an educator and curriculum developer who live in New Jersey. Vanessa is a freelance writer who lives in DC. We met 12 years ago in college and became fast friends. We are passionate about changing the unhealthy culture that exist in our families and culture. Too much soul food and our cultures love for "junk in the trunk" is literally killing us. We want to change lives by changing the attitudes and habits of our loved ones. It's not an easy task, but we are up for it!)

Seriously check out our Facebook page and website. We dare you to not be inspired!