Community Invited to 5K Event Supporting Student Wellness Initiatives
AAMU to Launch Inaugural Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Color Walk/Run
Alabama A&M University will host its inaugural Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Awareness Color Walk/Run on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 2 to 5 p.m., with registration beginning at 1 p.m. The 5K event will start and end at The Quad and is open to students, families and members of the surrounding community.
Organized by the AAMU Athletics Mental Health Services, the Color Walk/Run aims to raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention while creating a supportive space for reflection, remembrance and open dialogue. Participants are encouraged to wear green in support of mental health awareness, arrive early for check-in and dress comfortably. Color powder will be featured along the route, and attendees are advised to bring a towel.
“This event is about more than a run,” said Angelique Francis, athletics mental health outreach and promotions coordinator at Alabama A&M. “It is about creating safe, supportive spaces for our students and community, honoring families impacted by suicide, and encouraging honest conversations about mental health.”
While this marks the first year the Athletics Mental Health Team has hosted the Color Walk/Run, Francis previously partnered with the AAMU Women’s Basketball Team to organize a campus color run in support of Breast Cancer Awareness.
The 5K route will begin at The Quad, travel through campus and return to its starting point. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers, with first place receiving $350, second place $300 and third place $250. All remaining participants will receive a medal in recognition of their involvement and support.
Registration fees are $5 for participants ages 14 and older and for AAMU students. Children 14 and under may participate free of charge. The registration fee for adults 21 and older who are not AAMU students is $20.
All proceeds will be reinvested into the Athletics Mental Health Department to expand student-focused initiatives including Yoga and Meditation Mondays, game nights that promote connection and community, vision board workshops centered on goal setting, painting sessions that encourage creative expression and additional engagement activities designed to build resilience and support student well-being.