Some conversations feel like they were meant for you. This is one of them.
During National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Montell Jordan sat down with Neiko on Praise 102.5 to talk about something men don’t always want to talk about: their health. Joined by Dr. Xavier Bryant, the two didn’t just share statistics—they shared a mission. And by the end, you’ll understand why this conversation could save a life in your family.
What Was Montell Jordan’s Reaction to His Cancer Diagnosis?
Montell Jordan remembers the moment clearly. “The bad news is it’s cancer. The good news is we caught it early,” his doctor told him. As a man of faith, his first thought wasn’t fear—it was conviction: this ain’t going to kill me.
That’s the power of a testimony. Jordan is now a two-time cancer survivor who says he never once felt sick. That’s exactly why he’s speaking up. Prostate cancer is often silent, and silence is what makes it dangerous. Jordan told Nico that navigating the diagnosis with his wife and children taught him something every family needs to hear: “We can do hard things, but we can’t do hard things alone.”
What Is A²CES, and What Does It Do for the Community?
A²CES stands for A to A Community Events and Screenings—Atlanta to Alpharetta, Atlanta to Africa, Atlanta to Anywhere. According to Dr. Xavier Bryant, Managing Partner of A²CES, the organization brings together physicians, pharmacists, and specialists to close healthcare gaps for the unhoused, uninsured, and underinsured.
Their mission rests on three pillars: Access, Awareness, and Action. Bryant put it simply: once you have awareness and access, “you have to take the autonomy” to act on your own health.
Why Does Early Detection Matter So Much for Black Men?
The numbers are hard to ignore. One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Among African American men, that number rises to one in six—and they are twice as likely to die from it, largely due to late detection.
Here’s the part that surprises most people: screening isn’t invasive. It’s a simple blood test that checks your prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level. But Dr. Bryant offered a critical warning—doctors won’t automatically test for it. “You have to ask for it,” he said. If you don’t, it won’t show up on your standard bloodwork.
What Is the Race for P.A.C.E.S. 5K/10K?
Mark your calendar: the Race for P.A.C.E.S. takes place September 12, 2026, on Atlanta’s West Side Beltline. It’s a 5K/10K walk or run built around prostate cancer awareness, and it’s designed for the whole family—kids, friends, even your dog.
The event also offers on-site rapid screenings, with results available the same day or within 24 hours. That evening, A²CES hosts a gala to close out the day. As Dr. Bryant put it, participants can “pull up this Saturday” and have their results before they’ve even cooled down from the race.
How Can I Get Involved and Support A²CES?
Whether you run, walk, or simply show up to cheer someone on, your presence matters. Jordan had a special word for caregivers—the spouses, family members, and friends supporting someone through this journey. They carry weight too, and they deserve recognition.
You can register for the Race for P.A.C.E.S., donate, or learn more about A²CES’s ongoing screening initiatives at a2aces.org.
Know Your Numbers, Protect Your Future
This isn’t just a race. It’s a movement built on faith, family, and the belief that no one should face a diagnosis alone. Montell Jordan turned his diagnosis into a calling. Dr. Xavier Bryant and A²CES turned that calling into action across Atlanta.
Now it’s your turn. Ask for the blood test. Show up on September 12. And bring someone with you—because early detection doesn’t just save your life. It could save someone you love.
Register for the race at https://runsignup.com/Race/GA/Atlanta/RaceForPACES