The Let’s Move Nation team joined ESPN Analyst and NFL legend Ray Lewis and his new organization Inspire at MegaFest 2015 to promote a joint initiative around youth development, health and wellness, and being successful.
Led by bestselling author and pastor T.D. Jakes, MegaFest is the nation’s largest inspirational family festival.
“In today’s world, our youth face many challenges trying to stay on track and get ahead,” said Lewis. “Yes we want to give them encouragement, but we also want to equip and empower them to succeed – through community, through mentorship and through entrepreneurship. That’s what I want to do with Inspire, and I was honored to be at Megafest this year to share that message.”
Denise Brown, Director of Let’s Move Nation!, Akin Ayodele, Co-Founder of The Dreambuilders Foundation/retired 10-year NFL Veteran; Kwame Jackson, entrepreneur and businessman; and author/Tom Joyner Morning Show producer, Deya Smith spoke on stage and participated in a meet and greet with youth afterwards. Lewis and fellow speakers discussed how to deal with negative labels, fulfilling your potential for success and overcoming obstacles.
“We want today’s kids to be successful but equally important we want them to be healthy,” said Brown. “We want kids to know that the message of the First Lady’s Let’s Move initiative – eating right, being active, and maintaining good health – is equipping yourself for a longer life, but also success. Joining up with Ray Lewis and Inspire at Megafest was the perfect opportunity to do just that.”
Let’s Move Nation also joined Lewis and trainer to the stars Angela Davis for Get MegaFit, a spirited morning workout routine led by Lewis and Davis that motivated attendees to achieve their health and fitness goals, as well as to lead a healthier lifestyle.
In addition, celebrity and professional attendees participated in a public service announcement shoot for Let’s Move Nation! and Inspire focused on self-awareness, calls-to-action for positive change and creating a healthy start for children by increasing physical activity and improving access to healthy foods. Participants included Tamar Braxton (WEtv’s Braxton Family Values), Kevin Frazier (Entertainment Tonight), Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker (The Boris & Nicole Show), Bill Duke (director), Tasha Smith (Addicted), Roland Martin (NewsOne Now), DeVon Franklin (producer/author), Salli Richardson-Whitfield (Being Mary Jane), Dondre Whitfield (BET’s Real Husbands of Hollywood), Tika Sumpter (The Haves and Have Nots), Pastor Sheryl Brady, Bre’ly Evans (Being Mary Jane), Robi Reed (casting director), Charles Jenkins (Gospel star), Nikkole Denson Randolph (AMC Theaters), Jewel Tankard (Bravo’s Thicker Than Water), Devon Shepard (writer, The Soul Man) and more.