The purpose of this challenge is to raise awareness within the African-American community, more specifically the African-American woman; and to inspire change. The African-American woman is often times the matriarch in many African-American homes. She is the heart and soul of the household, who is usually responsible for the nutrition of the family (in motherhood, from the moment of conception, the African-American woman is responsible for our nutrition). She also plays the role of activity planner. Without her health intact, we cannot flourish as a community. 4 out of every 5 or 80% of African American women are overweight/ obese. Lack of exercise along with poor nutrition is the cause of this occurrence. Nearly 55% of African-American women are inactive. Surveys show that one of the primary reasons many African-American women are not physically active is because their high maintenance hairstyles prohibit their activity. These women are subconsciously choosing their hair over their health. This is a sad situation. The most unfortunate characteristic of that statement is that many African American women are extremely critical of other African American women, who do not keep their hair well-maintained. This places undue stress on these ladies to keep their hair “tight" or without flaw consistently. Let’s give our African American Queens a “pass”. For 6 months, we are asking our African American women to not only stand in support of our Sista's, but to also be less critical of their Sista's with LESS maintained hair, so that their HEALTH can be their primary focus. Most New Year’s Resolutions end within 45 days of starting because of a lack of results. This can happen for a number of reasons, including, but not limited to: lack of motivation due to non support, lack of knowledge, and/or lack of inspiration. Let us help you stay committed to your 2015 Resolutions! The Challenge: Note- 1 hour is the equivalent of 4% of your day. We’re welcoming Natural do’s, locks, pony tails, scarves, wrapped hair, and braids. Show us how you get it done. Stand together as “Sisters in Health.” I’m challenging One Million African American Women to stand with me and their sisters, and inspire the nation by showing us how you are getting it done, and/or how you are planning to get it done. Send in pictures via Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and/or email, of you in your workout gear posing with your Sisterhood calendar, showing us how you are getting it done. Let’s inspire those African American women who don’t currently workout due to their high maintenance hair styles, to choose their “Health Over Their Hair” and exercise 5 days per week for at least 1 hour per day (committing to at least 30 min of cardio and 30 minutes of core and/or resistance training.) Paul West, the developer of this challenge, is a certified personal trainer and a candidate for a Master’s degree in Health Education and Health Promotion. Paul has lost over 200lbs and is currently celebrating 5 years of keeping the weight off. Along with his team of certified fitness trainers, nutritionists, dieticians, medical doctors and specialists, free health and fitness advice will be offered for guidance via mass communication during the course of the 6 month process. The Base Prize winner with the most change will receive $ 1000.00 (Sponsored by Communication 360 Plus, PLLC). Opal D. Williams, CEO, is a Speech-Language Pathologist and candidate for a Doctor of Education degree in Speech-Language Pathology & Healthcare Education; and is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; as well as, a candidate for the Ethnic & Rural Health Disparities Graduate Certificate Program. Fashion Show : Hosted from “The Queen City,” the top 10 winners will participate in a Black Tie Event Fashion Show, where the winner will be announced, after an evening of celebrating these women’s accomplishments. Instead of announcing their physical dimensions, their Blood pressure, A1C, and Cholesterol will be mentioned, along with the weight loss accomplishment, as a part of their individual profiles. These are the numbers that matter, in which we cannot see. All finalists will receive gift cards (of an undisclosed amount and determined by the total number of participants) for their participation. For those who cannot attend, 3-5 alternates will be selected (To take place the following Labor Day Weekend). Prize Money Incentives (Base Prize: 1 - 4,999 participants is $1,000). With 5000 registered participants: $2,500
With 10,000 registered participants: $5,000
With 50,000 registered participants: $10,000
With 100,000 registered participants: $25,000
With 500,000 registered participants: $50,000
GOAL = 1,000,000 registered participants
With 1,000,000 registered participants:
$100,000.00 in cash and additional prizes
Incentives Along the Way
Raffles after first 100 registered participants: Gift basket or Nutri Bullet
Raffles after first 250 participants: Wii with fitness game(s)
Raffles after first 500: Total Body Workout station
Raffles after first 1000: 500.00 Gift Card
Raffles after first 5000: 1,000.00 Gift Card
Raffles after first 10,000: Commercial exercise bike/ treadmill
Raffles after first 50,000: 6 months’ supply of groceries ($3000 value)
Raffles after first 100,000: 6 month membership to a health club in their area; and 6 months’ supply of groceries. Raffles after first 500,000: A New Fitness wardrobe, 6 month membership to a health club in their area; and 6 months’ supply of groceries. For the Sorority with the greatest representation within the challenge (registered/active members), there will be $1 donated to the charity of the organization’s choice. in addition, a dollar ($1) from EVERY purchased calendar (excluding monies raised by registered Sorority participants or other winning Sorority) to an HBCU of our choice. We will utilize grass roots marketing techniques along with the Mystique of social media to promote the challenge on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We will also utilize news, media, and radio opportunities. WE WILL NOT PAY ANY OUTSIDE MARKETING FIRMS. We will stand in health, together. A large portion of the proceeds will go to benefit “MATE’s for Life Inc.” family lifestyle camp/clinic that will take place in July 2015 in Orangeburg SC. (South Carolina is number seven (7) in the nation in obesity, and Orangeburg County is number one (1) in the state in obesity.) Other allotted charitable proceeds will go to MATE Health Promotion’s Inc. These are both Non-profit organizations.
