CBCF BLACK HEALTH EMPOWERMENT TOUR HEADS TO MILWAUKEE
Rep. Gwen Moore, Tae Bo’s Billy Blanks Help Families Combine Fitness, Food and Fun

WASHINGTON – The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) will bring its Black Health Empowerment Project (BHEP) Tour to Milwaukee from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 12, at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Union, 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd.

BHEP will feature a healthy living forum, a health and fitness expo and, for the first time, international fitness celebrity Billy Blanks, creator of Tae Bo, a total body fitness system.

BHEP is a national health initiative created and produced by CBCF to educate African Americans about the relationship between obesity and chronic diseases. The project brings civic leaders, health experts and communities together to discuss practical strategies for reversing this public health crisis affecting adults and youth. The tour’s theme is “Eat, Move and Test for Health.” It is co-sponsored by AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals and UnitedHealth Group.

“As families are focusing on enjoying the summer, it is important to remember that our bodies don’t take the summer off. We want to maintain a healthy body all year long,” said Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.), who will participate in the event. “Through BHEP, Milwaukee families learn about important health issues, speak with experts and explore available resources within our community.”

Blanks will conduct two fitness sessions. Other celebrities set to appear: Dr. Ro, author of “Ten Secrets to Livin’ Healthy” and host of “Livin’ Healthy with Dr. Ro” on TV One; Lindsey Williams, celebrity chef and author of “Neo Soul: Taking Soul Food to a Whole ‘Nutha Level” and Wiley Mullins, founding president of Uncle Wiley’s Seasonings and author of “Salad Makes the Meal.”

“Too many African-American men, women and children are suffering from obesity-related diseases and health conditions,” said Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D., CBCF’s president and chief executive officer. “Many of the conditions are preventable if we take a more active role in watching our diets, engaging in physical activity, understanding our genetic history and getting periodic health screenings. We have a very positive impact on the health of those who participate in BHEP.”

BHEP involves a public-private collaboration that is crucial to fighting the obesity epidemic. Local sponsors include UWM, Aurora Sinai Medical Center, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and Roundy’s Supermarkets.

“We must all be committed to improving the health of our communities and the BHEP initiative is a perfect example of that commitment,” said Rich Buckley, vice president of government affairs for AstraZeneca. “AstraZeneca is dedicated to providing individuals with the information and tools that will empower families to take charge of their health.”

To increase obesity awareness, the Black Health Empowerment Tour has visited Charlotte, Houston, Brooklyn, Detroit, Atlanta, St. Thomas, V.I., and elsewhere during the past two years. The program will be a part of the CBCF’s Annual Legislative Conference (ALC), set for Sept. 24-27 in Washington, D.C.

To register for BHEP click here. You may also call (888) 353-2437 or visit www.bheptour.org for more information.

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Inc. (CBCF) was established in 1976 as a non-partisan, non-profit, public policy, research and educational institute intended to broaden and elevate the influence of African Americans in the political, legislative and public policy arenas.