For His Father and  Fraternity, A Champion of Men’s Health

For Wes Lewis, immediate past president of Phi Beta Sigma’s Zeta Chi Sigma Chapter, this year’s partnership with the Howard University Cancer Center marked a new stage for the Stronger Together Prostate Cancer Awareness 5K Walk/Run, which he co-founded with Dr. Jarrod Best, his fraternity brother and co-chair.

“Howard was the level up we needed,” Lewis said. “They brought their mobile unit and offered real-time PSA screenings. We screened 31 men that day, including myself. You don’t have to wait until Monday to make an appointment — you’re here, go get screened.”

The partnership reflected the walk’s larger purpose: making health access direct and convenient. The Howard University Cancer Center’s on-site screening unit helped move the three-year-old event from a community gathering to a regional effort focused on early detection and prevention.

The Zeta Chi Sigma Chapter, established in 1978, serves the Prince George’s County, Maryland, and the Metro DC areas. 

Since its launch, the walk has grown from roughly 50 participants in its first year to more than 200 in its second, and over 300 this year. That growth has come through strong partnerships with fraternities, sororities, churches, and civic groups across Prince George’s County. “If you were here last year, you know how much we’ve grown,” Lewis said. “Just look at the parking lot — it says it all.”

Lewis, 41, grew up in Prince George’s County and works in IT consulting while teaching as an adjunct professor. He started the walk after his father, Fabian Lewis — a Howard alumnus — was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

“My dad had his diagnosis about three years ago,” he said. “As president of our chapter, we were looking to create a signature service event. It made sense to focus on prostate cancer — it was personal, and it was relevant.”

Lewis described his father’s approach to his diagnosis as straightforward and disciplined. “He’s a straight shooter,” Lewis said. “He told me, ‘Hey, I went to the doctor. I have prostate cancer. I’m scheduled for surgery next week.’ That was it. He handled it.”

When planning the first walk, Lewis began reaching out to cancer centers across the D.C. area for partners. His connection with Burnside at the Howard University Cancer Center proved pivotal. “Prince George’s County has one of the largest Black populations in the region,” Lewis said. “The numbers for prostate cancer among Black men are what they are — it made sense to do the event here and to do it with Howard.”

Now in its third year, the Stronger Together Walk/Run continues to expand through organized partnerships and a clear focus on results.

“Every year, I look at how we can do better,” Lewis said. “I don’t want to always be the face of it. I want younger Sigmas to take ownership and build it further.”

Lewis  has also been direct about one of the barriers that keep men from getting screened — the rectal exam.

“Let’s be real,” he said. “No man wants to do that, and I’m no different. Even if it saves your life, it’s not something you look forward to.” For that reason, he said, the chapter promoted PSA blood testing instead of the rectal exam to make sure men didn’t see screening as a deterrent.

“We wanted to take the excuses off the table,” Lewis said. “You ran your 5K, you’re standing right here — go get the blood test. It’s quick, it’s simple, and it could save your life.”