Black and Missing Foundation Hosts 5K Walk-Run on May 21 to Honor the 240,000+ Missing Persons of Color Reported Every Year

Washington, D.C. (May 2, 2022) – The Black and Missing Foundation, Inc. (BAMFI) is rallying the national community to take part in its upcoming “Hope Without Boundaries” 5K walk-run on Saturday, May 21, 2022, to bring attention to missing persons of color and provide support for their loved ones. Missing persons of color disproportionately represent nearly 40% of all missing person cases. Participants can choose to attend the walk-run in National Harbor, Maryland or to join via a satellite location from their city on the day of the event. Radio and TV Personality Monique Samuels from “Love & Marriage: D.C.” and formerly of the “The Real Housewives of Potomac” will serve as the mistress of ceremony.

To register or learn more about the event, visit hwb5k.org. Satellite registration ends May 6. General registration ends May 13.

“What started as a passion project in our living rooms 14 years ago this month, has now grown into a national movement to help us find us,” said Founders Natalie and Derrica Wilson. “We realized early on that this is a national crisis that will take all of us working together to make the greatest impact. We are expecting a large turnout this year and believe it will send a powerful message of hope to those who are still missing, the victims and their loved ones. The event is also our largest fundraiser of the year and provides the funds to enable us to support even more families. To date, we’ve been able to reunite families or find closure for nearly 400 people.”

In addition to the walk-run, the event will focus on education and advocacy. Activities will include a self-defense class, educational workshops on internet safety and an awards ceremony to recognize organizations who have played an instrumental role in supporting the cause over the past year.

The award recipients include:

  • Advocate for Change: Soledad O’Brien
  • National Media Partner of the Year: Access Hollywood
  • Local Media Partner of the Year: NBC 4 Washington
  • National Law Enforcement Partner of the Year: United States Marshals Service
  • Local Law Enforcement Partner of the Year: Montgomery County MD Police Dept.
  • Legislator of the Year: Cedric L. Richmond, Assistant & Senior Advisor to POTUS
  • Business Partner of the Year: Cariloop
  • Humanitarian of Year: Derrick Butler
  • Volunteer of the Year: Candance Greene

Since its inception, BAMFI also has been a vocal advocate for the families of missing persons of color who often don’t get the same media coverage or law enforcement support as their white counterparts. The founders have appeared on almost every major national news platform sounding the alarm about this injustice. Last year, the foundation was also the focus of an HBO docuseries “Black and Missing.” The series has won several awards and was recently nominated for an Academy Award for exceptional television programs.

“We are often the last hope for many families, and that’s why we already have plans to expand the organization to serve even more people. We can’t do any of this without the support of the community and that’s why this walk is so important.”

Photo credit: Black and Missing Foundation

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