The roar of mostly Harley-Davidson’s drifted through the sunny and clear Saturday afternoon. As dozens of motorcycle club members took to the roadways, for much more than the camaraderie, brotherhood/sisterhood, and the thrill that fast and wind-in-the-face bike rides can deliver.
Because the Labor Day weekend ride was for a greater gratification, and to raise awareness about prostate cancer and the offering of onsite testing for this insidious disease.
“With prostate cancer being on the rise for black men, there is nothing more powerful that a group of black men on motorcycles moving in the right direction to help,” said Chris Flemings, a member of the Black Kings’ Motorcycle Club.
Flemings was part of many bikers on September 2nd, who rode the streets in St. Louis and East St. Louis, for the “STL Ride 4 Prostate Cancer Awareness.” The Bikers gathered at the stage point, Da City Event Center, 8927 Riverview Drive in north St. Louis. In addition, the event also included free onsite prostate testing.
And, Flemings, 51, is a three-year prostate cancer survivor, having a prostatectomy in 2020. A motorcycle enthusiast for more than 20 years, Flemings said the sight of African American men on motorcycles sends a manly, masculine image that getting screened is the right thing to do.
“There is a stigma about black men not wanting to go to the doctor,” he said. “If we can bring more attention to it, perhaps we can save more lives. A motorcycle guy talking about having prostate cancer says a lot.”
The Ride was a joint effort of The Empowerment Network, Inc., Da City Event Center, and several motorcycle clubs, including the Outcast M.C., called the oldest, all-black club in the United States, as well as the Crown Royal’s M.C., Ghost Dogg’s M.C., Low Rider’s M.C., and STL Hog Brothers’ M.C.
Moreover, an all-female club was part of the mix, too. Tish Wilson, one of the organizers of the event, is a member of the Boss Divas Social Club, which some of the members, like herself, ride Harleys.
Furthermore, the awareness ride was pushed by Wilson, because her grandfather, Robert Harris, 83, is “living his best life” as a prostate cancer survivor. She wants her “brothers” to live life to the fullest, too.
“Living life. That’s what’s it is all about,” Wilson said. “I want to make sure they get tested to keep all the joy of life. I’m trying to save these men, my brothers. We’re a big family.”
