YOUNGSTOWN — Melvin North isn’t shy about expounding on how he is a bastion of solid health.

“I ride my bike pretty much daily and I go to the gym. I also eat mostly a plant-based diet, and I go to the doctor’s regularly,” North, 72, of Youngstown, said.

His foray into the good-health arena doesn’t stop there, however. North, who retired in 2015 from Youngstown State University’s administrative offices, enjoys ballroom dancing, traveling and whatever else he can do to also keep his mental outlook positive.

So, perhaps it should come as no surprise that North’s blood pressure, glucose and other numbers fell within the normal and healthy range after he underwent a few screenings that were a main part of the annual Black Men’s Wellness Day gathering Saturday morning at the Covelli Centre, downtown.

“I love to tell people, ‘Stay strong and stay positive,'” he added.

Suffice it to say that many others may do well to follow North’s example and life trajectory. According to the Black Men’s Wellness Program, black males are 70% more likely to die from preventable diseases than their white counterparts.

The primary goal of Saturday’s local five-hour wellness day, which was founded in 2004 and is in more than 20 cities nationwide, was to empower men to take control of their health, as well as to promote a culture of wellness in communities, the website shows. To that end, free screenings were available to check participants’ blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, vision, body-mass index and blood-sugar levels.

In addition, August is African American Wellness Month in Ohio.

Among the men and women who did just that was Daniel Smith, 50, of Youngstown, who seemed pleased with some of his results.

“A lot of black men don’t get checked regularly,” he observed. “We don’t go to the doctor’s as much as other races.”

Smith was pleased with his blood pressure numbers and pulse, as well as his weight, cholesterol and glucose figures, though he also seemed a bit concerned about a friend to whom he mentioned Saturday’s wellness day, but who still refused to come.

“You can feel all right, but still have symptoms,” Smith said, adding that he enjoyed the event also because, unlike going to a sterile doctor’s office, it also offered an atmosphere that encouraged plenty of socialization and allowed him to reunite with certain people he hadn’t seen in a while.

Administering Smith’s blood pressure test was Jenni Nemes, a nursing student at ETI Technical College in Niles.

“If you know your baseline vitals, that will determine a lot about your health and what to fix,” Nemes, a 2007 Champion High School graduate, said.

For the most part, many of those she worked with Saturday had normal numbers while a few others had slightly elevated blood pressure readings, though nothing “crazy high,” came across her radar, said Nemes, who enrolled at ETI in September 2024 with the intention of becoming a licensed practical nurse.

Also conducting the free screenings were personnel from Mercy Health.

Among the vendors at Saturday’s wellness event were CareSource, Project 311, “U Got This” Diabetes Wellness Initiative, the Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board, Alta Head Start, the City of Youngstown Parks and Recreation Department, the Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority, Loud 102.3 FM radio, Mahoning County Children Services, 7/17 Credit Union and the Mahoning County Public Health Department. In addition, several fraternities, sororities and churches took part.

Also with a table that contained various resources was the Ursuline Sisters HIV / AIDS Ministry.

“We’ve been sharing information, and for them to know their HIV status and get into care if they’re positive,” Laura McCulty-Stepp, the ministry’s coordinator of supportive services and director of quality improvement, said. “Your prognosis is very good if you get into care.”

The true danger regarding HIV / AIDS lies in not knowing one’s status, which can come about when people fear such knowledge, McCulty-Stepp noted. In other cases, reluctance may be the result of financial worries, something she hopes to quell.

“I want people to know that they can have a long, productive life if they’re positive. The inability to pay is never a barrier to care,” McCulty-Stepp said, adding that the ministry provides free and confidential testing.

To receive a test, call 330-743-7853.

For his part, North stressed the importance of also monitoring one’s emotional and mental health.

“I’m a firm believer in four things: love, peace, truth and justice,” he said.

Saturday’s wellness day also featured a 5K walk and run, a kids fun zone, relaxation massages and exercise opportunities.