March, 2017 -Gospel Run has recently announced its newest Partner-In-Health \u2013 Grammy and Oscar award-winning Che \u201cRhymefest\u201d Smith.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rhymefest is best known as an\u00a0award-winning hip-hop artist, having written the hit songs, Jesus Walks<\/em> with Kanye West and\u00a0Glory<\/em> (from the film, Selma) for John Legend and Common.\u00a0\u00a0His own health, however, has become one of his most important projects, since he discovered he has diabetes after an alarming health episode.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gospel Run is partnering with Rhymefest and NBC 5 Chicago to raise awareness about diabetes and men\u2019s health among African Americans, open a dialogue,\u00a0and\u00a0inspire men to embrace healthier behaviors.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Black Americans face more than a 70%\u00a0greater risk of getting diabetes than white Americans.\u00a0For Hispanics, their risk is more than 65% greater. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rhymefest reports that the risks and reality of his disease hit home when Malik Taylor, the hip hop artist known as Phife Dawg from Tribe Called Quest, died at the age of 45 after a prolonged battle with diabetes.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI put off getting a check-up, and almost went into a diabetic coma, because I didn\u2019t know I had the disease,\u201d says Rhymefest.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI now have to actively manage my diabetes with self-care.\u00a0\u00a0That includes working out, jogging, keeping my metabolism going, and nutrition\u2026 so that the foods I eat don\u2019t kill me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rhymefest will participate in the fifth annual Gospel Run 5K run\/walk on Saturday, June 2nd and share his story with thousands in attendance.\u00a0\u00a0He will also take the stage during the post-race concert, performing a special remix of his song\u00a0Jesus Walks<\/em>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gospel Run and Rhymefest are launching the \u201cJesus Walks Youth Remix Challenge,\u201d a contest that invites Chicago youth to write an original verse to the song\u00a0Jesus Walks<\/em>.\u00a0\u00a0The winning youth will perform their lyrics on stage with Rhymefest and his band on race day.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chicago Gospel Run 5K is a multi-generational event that draws individuals and families from throughout the Chicago region, with participants ranging from age 3 through 85+.\u00a0\u00a0Gospel Run, in partnership with Howard Brown Health, will offer free diabetes screenings at the race.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Link to the NBC feature Story:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n