Concetta Dillard
123 Main Street
Dayton, OH 45402
June 23, 2012
Gary Leitzell
Mayor
City of Dayton
101 W. Third Street
Dayton, OH 45401
Dear Mayor Leitzel:
On behalf of the Wright Dunbar Neighborhood Association and community leaders, we would like to address our concern about the rising number of African Americans diagnosed with diabetes and offer some suggestions for the needs of our community. We are in need of a recreation center that will serve the needs of the community. In addition to a community center, we would like to propose a small street market in this area that sells fruits and vegetables. In the Wright Dunbar neighborhood, it is predominantly African Americans, who would enjoy the access of a recreation center to exercise, learn healthy eating habits, and live a more active life style.
The diabetes epidemic sweeping the U.S. is hitting the African American community particularly hard, according to research. National health surveys over the past 35 years show that the number of African American's that have been diagnosed with diabetes is drastically increasing. According to ADA (American Diabetes Association), many African Americans who have diabetes know they have it, but continue their same diet. If the cycle of diabetes is to lessen, in the African American community, people have to take the approach to eat right and exercise, or else the diabetes will continue to run rampant throughout the community.
We would like to have your support as guidance to assist our neighborhood to create a proposal so that the Wright Dunbar historical neighborhood can have access to exercise and live healthier. The benefits of a recreation center will last a lifetime, as I believe that neighbors will better understand the need to exercise if there is easier access. Our next neighborhood meeting is Monday, June 18, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at the Bing