For Immediate Release
March 7, 2008
Contact: MeBain Media Group - 708 533-6558

"BLACK MEN HAVE THE LOWEST LIFE EXPECTANCY OF ANY RACIAL GROUP IN THIS
COUNTRY. THAPELO INSTITUTE, INC. WANTS TO CHANGE THOSE STATISTICS!"
HOSTS KICK-OFF BREAKFAST WITH TOP PHYSICIANS IN CHICAGO

Chicago, Il. – On Friday, March 7, 2008, the Thapelo Institute, Inc. and many of Chicago’s top African-American doctors will announce and unveil plans for the Free Health & Fitness Experience for Africans and African-American Men as part of its ongoing effort to inform, educate and empower the community to adapt healthier lifestyle behaviors by promoting health, fitness and wellness.

Seventy key stakeholders attended the breakfast held at “A Miracle on 38th Street”-Pioneer Gardens black owned supportive living facility lat 3800 South King Drive, Chicago. At the breakfast, Thapelo Institute, Inc.'s June 14th plans were discussed.   Attendees pledged to bring 600 men to the Free Health and Fitness Experience.

There is an ongoing, increasing and predominantly silent crisis in the health and well-being of African American men. Due to a lack of awareness, unavailability or limited access to culturally appropriate health care, and few, if any, male-specific health programs, Black men's health and well-being are deteriorating steadily. The
deterioration of men's health is best illustrated by the life-expectancy gap.

Because of this need, The Thapelo Institute has sponsored this free annual event, now in its 6th year, to encourage men to engage in healthy lifestyles and promote early detection of diseases that affect Black men.

Chicago Commissioner of the Department of Public Health Dr. Terry Mason along with Joe Harrington, Assistant Commissioner, are founding members of Thapelo Institute, Inc. Other Thapelo’s founders and Board Members are African-American doctors and health care professionals. “Free testing for prostate cancer, HIV/AIDS, cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney disease are just a few of the health screenings that will be available to those who attend” says Rupert Evans, Executive Director of Thapelo.

At the kick-off breakfast, Thapelo executives will give information about the upcoming Free Health & Fitness Experience which is schedule to take place on Saturday, June 14, 2008 and is the largest health-related assembly of African and African-American men in the City of Chicago.

Positioned in the great halls of Malcolm X College at 1900 W. Van Buren, Chicago, will be more than 1,000 men who will take advantage of health screenings, seminars, fitness exercises and demonstrations, healthy food samplings, workshops and health and fitness information from Chicago-area exhibitors. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and screenings begin at 9:00 a.m. The event will run for 5 hours or until 2:00 p.m.

Media sponsors include NBC 5 and WVON Talk Radio.   State Farm Insurance is also a sponsor.

For more information or to sign up as an exhibitor/vendor or to pledge to bring 10 or more men to the health and fitness experience for men, please contact:
Deloris MeBain of
MeBain Media Group & Consulting
708-533-6558 or
visit www.thapelo.org .

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