Reverend Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis, Mrs. Denise Hunter and Dr. Antronette K. Yancy at the launch of Let’s Move 5th District! in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 8th.
Dr. Antronette K. Yancy, Professor in the UCLA School of Public Health, Co-Director of the UCLA Kaiser Permanente Center of Health Equity and a Board Member of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Partnership for a Healthier America, delivers a powerful message at the Let’s Move 5th District! launch celebration.
L-R: Rev. Dr. John J. Hunter, Bishop H.H. Brookins, Rev. Eduardo Vickers and Rev. Rosie Medina join FAME’s congregation in a moment of praise and exercise at last Sunday’s service at FAME Church. FAME is leading the Let’s Move LA! campaign.
AME Church Leaders Expand First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Campaign Health Initiative Reaching Thousands
Last week, church leaders and members from the AME Church’s Fifth Episcopal District kicked-off Let’s Move 5th District, a health and fitness initiative of the AME church, at “A Call to the Wall” Christian Education Summit in Las Vegas, NV. This spirit-filled empowerment conference was attended by thousands of AME congregants from throughout the western United States, and was the ideal setting to launch this important health program designed to help all AME church members live longer, healthier lives.
Attendees accessed vital health information, engaged in fitness activities, and participated in Christian fellowship centered on promoting a healthy mind, body and spirit. Let’s Move 5th District is championed by Bishop T. Larry Kirkland, Presiding Prelate, Fifth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church.
During the Las Vegas launch, Antronette K. Yancy, MD, MPH, Professor in the UCLA School of Public Health, Co-Director of the UCLA Kaiser Permanente Center of Health Equity and a Board Member of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Partnership for a Healthier America, delivered a dynamic message about the important leadership role that faith-based organizations play in improving health outcomes in the African American community. Reverend Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis, member of the FAME Ministerial Staff and Director, FAME Living Word Liturgical Dance Ministry, led the ballroom full of attendees in an energetic gospel aerobics session. Rev. Dr. John J. Hunter, Senior Minister of FAME Church of Los Angeles, and Mrs. Denise Hunter, President and Chief Operating Officer of FAME Corporations, introduced the initiative and presided over the worldwide launch of the campaign’s website www.letsmove5thdistrict.org.
Rev. Dr. Hunter said, “We are dedicated to empowering families to take charge of their health; this campaign is ideal and in line with our goals to help all of God’s children live better. We can’t do God’s work if we aren’t healthy. We invite everyone to join and get movin’!”
Rev. Dr. Hunter and Mrs. Hunter have launched a similar program in South Los Angeles, called Let’s Move L.A., targeted at bringing First Lady Michelle Obama’s national campaign to end childhood obesity to the communities of Los Angeles. “We are extremely excited to be a part of this collective resolve to make a positive difference in the lives of our young people. It is essential that we give them the tools, the plan and the inspiration needed to set them on a path of lasting success,” said Mrs. Hunter.
To learn more about these important programs and to view exclusive video highlights, including FAME’s Living Word Liturgical Dance Ministry Gospel Aerobics video, visit famechurch.org, letsmove5thdistrict.org and letsmovela.org.
