One of the liveliest fitness centers in New Orleans just so happens to be owned by one of the youngest Black fitness trainers in The Big Easy. Brandon Diggins says he’s the youngest Black gym owner in the city.
It’s a big deal for 29-year-old Diggins who resides in a city where at least 40 percent of the city’s businesses are Black-owned, yet they only receive a reported 2 percent of the business.
This economic disparity has only been exasperated by the ongoing global pandemic, and Black businesses are feeling the brunt of the impact. And if that wasn’t enough, New Orleans is still recovering from Hurricane Ida which has cost an estimated $75 billion in damages and the number continues to climb.
But Diggins is defying the odds at Christ Creation Process Organization – or CCPO Fitness for short, where his faith is at the root of everything he does.
“I just want to be a blessing to other people and help people reach their fitness goals,” Diggins told Travel Noire in an interview.
He says his work is more than just helping people get physically fit in a state with one of the worse obesity rates in the country.
A recent report from Trust For America’s Health found that Louisiana is one of the worst states in the nation for obese adults, at 38 percent. To put that in perspective, that means a little more than one in every three Louisiana residents is considered obese.
The gym also serves as a place where people can come to work on their mental health.
“We have group fitness classes, and we always have events at the gym,” Diggins added. “It’s about creating community, teamwork, and helping people stay committed.”
Since he started in 2018, he has gained a following of more than 28,000 people that reaches beyond New Orleans.
CCPO is likely coming to a city near you as his team of committed fitness trainers have been invited to bring their often challenging, but exciting fitness classes to cities such as St. Louis, Atlanta, and Houston, just to name a few where the themes range from rap, R&B, trap salsa, and more.
For Diggins, taking his fitness group classes on the road is just the beginning.
“My goal in the next 5-to-10 years is to own a few gyms, especially in the south where we tend to see more obesity in our community,” said Diggins.
You can keep up with the gym and team as they travel the country by following them on social media here.
