GRAND CANYON — Grand Canyon National Park and the Kaibab National Forest will host former-professional football player, Ironman tri-athlete and host of the radio talk show Fitness Friday, Darryl Haley for a special evening program in honor of Black History Month on Wednesday, March 18th at 7:30 p.m. at the Shrine of the Ages in Grand Canyon National Park. Mr. Haley will be joined by staff of Grand Canyon National Park and the Kaibab National Forest promoting Black History Month and the Healthy Parks Healthy People initiative.

The Black History Month theme for 2015 is “Celebrating a Century of Black Life, History, Culture and Future Health of our People on our Public Lands”. Mr. Haley is a staunch advocate for parks and public lands as well as a renowned athlete and fitness trainer.

Mr. Haley, who also hosts WHUR’s (Howard University Radio) Fitness Friday during the Steve Harvey Morning Show, hopes to show that parks are places diverse audiences can enjoy, and that they offer a wide range of opportunities for people of varying fitness levels to experience and recreate on their public lands.

He will be joined on stage by Margaret Hangan and Danelle D. Harrison, USFS. Ms. Hangan is the staff archeologist for the Kaibab National Forest and will be presenting on the history of African American people in northern Arizona. Ms. Harrison is the District Ranger for the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest and will be presenting on the Forest Service role in providing healthy recreation opportunities for diverse communities.

During the week, graduate students from Howard University will be working with staff of Grand Canyon National Park and the Kaibab National Forest, reviewing the agencies’ respective archives while researching the history of diverse individuals in the Grand Canyon region. These stories not only demonstrate the past contributions of diverse individuals to the northern Arizona landscape but also open doors of understanding, forging connections for people today and in the future to their public lands.

Black History Month is about celebrating and honoring the past and creating memories now to carry into the future. As a health and fitness enthusiast, Haley’s programs reach diverse audiences and help promote the making of black history, breaking down barriers in human and race relations. Providing equitable access to public lands and promoting the health and well being of all people are critical components of Healthy Parks Healthy People.