Photo courtesy of Metro News
(AllHipHop News) The fight against childhood obesity is receiving major support from The Roots lead rhymesayer, Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter.
The entertainer and GrassROOTS Foundation co-founder is spearheading efforts to slim down youth with his annual fundraiser, “Let’s Move it Philly!” The charity concert party, which is scheduled to take place this Saturday (February 18) at the historic Sigma Sound Stage in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, will include performances from Trotter and his fellow Roots member Questlove, as well as Rich Medina, DJ Diamond Kuts, Nikki Jean, and the Money Making Jam Boys.
Doors for Let’s Move it Philly! will open at 8PM, and proceeds from the event will benefit C.H.I.C.K.S. (Creating Healthy Informed Confident Knowledgeable Selves), an after school program created by the Foundation for girls at Philadelphia’s Harding Middle School that focuses on health literacy, wellness, and professional skills.
While many cite Hip-Hop culture for promoting poor health choices, organizers maintain that Let’s Move It Philly! uses Hip-Hop as a means to spread awareness about childhood obesity. The concert’s Philadelphia stop is the first step in a 10-city initiative that will address childhood obesity in the African-American community. According to reports, almost one in every three children in the nation is obese or overweight. In African-American and Hispanic communities, the rates are even higher with 40 percent of children affected.
Let’s Move it Philly! won’t be the only event coming from the GrassROOTS foundation on Saturday. That same day, the organization will join forces with Carson Valley Children’s Aid to present a daytime community health forum and celebration at Faith Assembly of God Church in Philadelphia.
The event, which will take place from 9AM to 1PM, will include free HIV testing, gospel line dancing, cardio dance, and a discussion centering on health challenges for youth. Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. N##### will be on hand for a panel response and community solutions-open forum on topics ranging from literacy and child health to sexuality and health to mental health challenges facing youth.
In addition to N#####, Black Thought will appear at the health forum and celebration, as well as state representative Tony J. Payton Jr. and C.H.I.C.K.S. program director Joan Todd, among others.
The health forum and celebration and Let’s Move it Philly! concert are among various efforts initiated by the GrassROOTS Foundation. The organization, co-founded byBlack Thought and sociologist, Dr. Janice Johnson Dias, works toward contributing to the health and well-being of vulnerable populations and disadvantaged communities by merging the talents of socially conscious artists with those of a rigorous scientific research and creative team while developing the capacity of community based organizations that offer educational and recreational services to disadvantaged women and girls.
To purchase a ticket for the Let’s Move it Philly! concert, visit http://www.grassrootscharityconcert.eventbrite.com.