Keisha Farmer-Smith
The Many Ways Racer Keisha Farmer-Smith Helps Keep Her Family Healthy
Keisha Farmer-Smith decided to do Gospel Run five years ago, after her husband was diagnosed with some considerable health challenges. The couple wanted to be healthier together. The rest of their blended family, including Keisha’s 75 year-old mother-in-law, joined because the race looked fun. The family has participated in Gospel Run every year since.
Keisha, 46, is a Chicago South Sider who has always sought creative ways to keep her children active. When she was a single parent of two young boys, now ages 17 and 21, Keisha found activities that were low cost, or free, to occupy them. Whether it was the Boys and Girls Club, tumbling or soccer, she made sure her boys moved. Even while doing family chores, Keisha would play music, “you’re cleaning while getting your heart rate up.”
Getting an entire family involved in healthy living was a mixed bag. “For some family members the choice was easy. For others, having to practice [and] prepare for the race has been difficult. We try our best to encourage each other.” Some of the ways the family is encouraged and stays on task is holding veggie and fruit, water drinking, pushup and sit-up challenges. They try to eat dinner together a few times a week and will check in with each other, asking “have you been walking?”
As a parent, Keisha does not feel our culture supports health and wellness of Black families and especially Black children. “It’s hard. I’ve always tried to cook at home [and] have healthy eating options in the house. [But] fruits and vegetable cost more.” Keisha, who holds a PhD admits that her family has been able to eat healthier as she earned more income. For families on a tight budget, she suggests going to local farmer’s markets that take SNAP benefits. She also recommends avoiding processed foods and refined sugar if possible. Her family has benefited from their neighborhood’s Salvation Army Kroc Center, which charges on a sliding scale based on your income and health.
Gospel Run has been pivotal in inspiring Keisha’s family to stay healthy. “We don’t treat is as a singular event. We start revving up for Gospel Run!” The family starts their race season in November so that they feel prepared come June for Gospel Run. For Keisha, the event is more than a simple race, “It’s about family and community… and thanking God for the bodies we have.” When asked the importance of the community seeing Black families, in all forms, coming together to support each other, Keisha’s answer was simple: “It’s extremely important. It’s such a positive event, and it’s so much fun!”
For the 2020 race, Keisha wants to get her sorority sisters to form a team. “Gospel Run has been a wonderful blessing to our family. It is a fun way to spend time together, encourage each other and make healthier life choices.”