Meharry Medical College and Nashville General Hospital to Host Historic “Nashville Walks for Peace” on September 12
National Medical Association President Dr. Brandi Kaye Freeman to join Nashville’s first-ever 5K run and community walk against gun violence
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Meharry Medical College and Nashville General Hospital will make history on Saturday, September 12, 2026, by hosting Nashville Walks for Peace, a 5K run and two-mile community walk dedicated to preventing gun violence and promoting community safety, healing, and hope. Over 3000+ participants expected.
Beginning at 6:00 p.m., the event will be led by Major (National Guard) Dontal Johnson, MD, and held in partnership with the National Medical Association (NMA) and Project Outreach and Prevention (POP) on Youth Violence as part of the inaugural National 5K Walk for Peace, Multi-City Health Fairs and Safety Workshops.
Nashville Walks for Peace will be the first walk or run event held jointly in the histories of these two landmark institutions—a legacy extending back to Meharry Medical College’s founding in 1876 and Nashville General Hospital’s opening as City Hospital in 1890.
To commemorate this historic occasion, Brandi Kaye Freeman, MD, the 128th president of the National Medical Association, will attend the event. Dr. Freeman is an associate professor of pediatrics and vice chair of Health Opportunities and Professional Engagement for the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She is also an attending physician at the Child Health Clinic at Children’s Hospital Colorado and a health-services researcher focused on health equity and improving the well-being of vulnerable communities.
“Nashville Walks for Peace represents the power of healthcare institutions and communities coming together around a shared commitment to protect lives,” said Dr. Johnson (Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Medical College and Nashville General Hospital as well as VP of the School of Medicine Faculty Council). “Through collective action, we can promote healing, strengthen relationships, and build safer communities for our children and families.”
Nashville is one of at least 10 participating cities—including Detroit, Indianapolis, Chicago, Richmond, New York City, Memphis, Washington D.C., Dallas, and Gary—where local NMA societies and community partners will host or participate with other organizers in their Walks for Peace.
United by a shared mission, these events will promote public health, strengthen community connections, support healing, and mobilize collective action to prevent violence. Participating communities will also offer health fairs, public-safety education, violence-prevention resources, and community workshops.
The national initiative is led by POP on Youth Violence and the National Medical Association’s Violence Prevention Council, chaired by Michael McGee, MD, MPH, in partnership with NMA societies throughout the country.
National partners include:
- National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE)
- Sandy Hook Promise SAVE Promise Clubs
- Cities United
“Every community deserves to feel safe—safe for children to grow, families to gather, and neighbors to support one another,” said Dr. McGee. “On September 12, communities across America will walk together for peace, safety, healing, and hope.”
Event Information
What: Nashville Walks for Peace—5K Run and Two-Mile Community Walk
When: Saturday, September 12, 2026, beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Where: [Insert Nashville location]
Registration: [Insert registration link or instructions]
About the National Medical Associationt
The National Medical Association represents African American physicians and is committed to advancing health equity, eliminating health disparities, and improving the health of underserved communities.
About POP on Youth Violence
Project Outreach and Prevention on Youth Violence is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing youth violence through education, mentorship, health-career development, community engagement, and public-health initiatives.
Not One More Life. One More Day!
