This upcoming Saturday, April 27, students between the ages of 5-18 will have the opportunity to slam dunk their way to better health and fitness at the “Youth Basketball and Life Skills Clinic,” at Lake Elkhorn Middle School in Columbia, Maryland.
The event organizers, the African American Community Roundtable of Howard County, aim to entertain children while educating them about a healthy lifestyle and mindset. Additionally, the clinic is designed to help guide adults in prioritizing their health through workshops and informative health booths.
The star-studded event will be hosted by Ray Sydnor, a former player of the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers, and AJ Ali, a TV host, filmmaker and author. Additional celebrities from the NFL and NBA and an olympian are expected to attend.
Kids will engage in basketball sessions alongside professionals, while parents and accompanying adults can delve into health education programs and workshops offered at the clinic.
These programs include workshops like, “How to Navigate Roadblocks to Adequate Maternal Care,” hosted by Dr. Joi Gladdy Egbuniwe, which focuses on the disparities in healthcare that expecting mothers face. Dr. Egbuniwe will discuss strategies for overcoming challenges within a complex healthcare system and show how to access adequate maternal care.
Another workshop featured at the event is, “How to Integrate Self Care in a Busy World,” hosted by Howard County Mocha Moms. Their goal is to teach individuals the importance of practicing health care, even during the busiest times of their lives. Visitors will be given tips on how to care for their mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
The event will also provide free health care screenings and exercise demonstrations.
Ali, is the founder and director of “L.O.V.E is the Answer,” an organization that provides educational programs aimed at creating more inclusive and supportive workplace communities. Creating a more inclusive community in Howard County is a big objective of the clinic.
Sydnor said one of the main goals of the upcoming basketball and health clinic is to create after school sports programs that stress togetherness and inclusivity. He said, “Sports is a great way to bring everyone together from all walks of life and to give people hope.”
Fostering healthy habits in young people is also a crucial focus of the clinic. Sydnor emphasized that one of the primary goals of the clinic is to promote “healthy living, healthy eating, and teamwork and life skills like setting goals and conflict resolution.”
Creating healthy habits in young people is needed in Howard County. Per the Howard County Local Health Improvement Coaliton 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, the 2021 Howard County Assessment Survey found high levels of obesity among residents of Howard County.
The report said, “29% of adults were overweight and 25% of adults were obese.” The report also said that an increased number of children were advised by a healthcare professional to lose weight.
Ali said that he hopes the children attending the event will be inspired to embrace an active lifestyle and prioritize their health by interacting with professional NBA and NFL players. “The celebrity involvement just makes you want to do more. It’s inspiring,” Ali said.
For Ali, an encounter with soccer legend Pele that he had as a teenager taught him that young people can achieve anything they put their minds to do. The encounter also instilled a strong desire in him to give back to the Howard County community.
He said, “I played soccer and a neighbor knew Pele. He made arrangements for us to meet Pele in Washington, DC. It changed my life. I believe that you can accomplish anything you put your mind into and I want these kids to have that same experience and feeling.”
The goal of the event is for children to leave with a hunger for an active and healthy lifestyle. Additionally, to motivate them to participate in after-school sports programs and to dream big. The event also seeks to educate parents on prioritizing their own health and well being.
For more information on the event, interested participants can visit the official, African American Community Roundtable of Howard County event page.
This article was written by freelance reporter Michelle Calderon.
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