ATLANTA — It is impossible to gaze upon Alma Davis’ beautiful visage and discern the emotional scars located with in the deepest recesses of her soul, resultant from severe episodes of domestic violence she suffered as a child and into her marriage.
As a child, Davis was enveloped with raw feelings of anger, shame, hurt and isolation, unaware at that time of living in terror that domestic abuse cuts a wide swath across a broad tapestry of America. No single
demographic has a monopoly on the national problem and anyone could become a victim under the right (or wrong) circumstances.
One thing Davis was never able to get away from was the sense of abandonment and neglect that she carried throughout her life. Alma suffered through this time with great dignity and was eventually able to come to terms with it, at which point she decided to turn that grief into a mission to help young women going through a similar struggle.
This is why the vivacious businesswoman and Alma G. Davis Foundation founder is hosting the upcoming 5K run and 1 mile walk at Piedmont Park in Midtown Atlanta on Saturday morning — in order to fight domestic violence nationwide, with a special emphasis among African Americans.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, black women are inordinately impacted by instances of domestic violence and sexual abuse. In 2000, the Bureau of Justice Statistics reported that African-American women experienced domestic violence at a rate 35% higher than their Caucasian counterparts. According to an ongoing study from Black Women’s Blueprint, 60% of black girls report experiencing sexual assault before age 18.
On Saturday, October 3, 2015, participants from all across the country will come together to advocate against domestic violence. This 5K Run/1 Mile Walk is very unique as each participant that walks the planned route, will have the opportunity to partner with an actual domestic violence survivor and hear their personal story for the mile they walk together!
Emphasizing an issue that has and is continuing to sweep across American households and communities worldwide, this race will bring about education, awareness and healing to those that participate.
Participants have the option to run or walk in honor or memory of someone, or share their own story of being a survivor. In addition, there are opportunities to volunteer or cheer on participants. We welcome all men, women, boys and girls to take part in this event.
This is part of the Alma G. Davis Foundation whose mission is to “Educate, Empower and Celebrate survivors of domestic violence and help them achieve economic and self-sufficiency”. Davis also facilitates the Divas Empowerment Conference luncheon that takes place in October. She also has the “Dinner for Divas” awards gala that took place in June that celebrated survivors of domestic violence.
Event details and schedule
Sign-in and registration will begin at the Park Tavern (next to Piedmont Park) and the race will begin and culminate across the street on the Atlanta Beltline Eastside Trail. The event will conclude back at the Park Tavern with our post celebration and awards ceremony.
Registration opens – 7am;
Opening ceremony – 8am;
Race starts – 8:30am;
Post celebration and awards – 9:15am-11am
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