Jamaica, N.Y. (March 20. 2006) - Ericka Simmons, managing partner of Epic Sculpt, a fitness product distribution company, was one of the featured speakers at a press conference sponsored by Congressman Gregory Meeks announcing the Black Health Empowerment Project at Queens Hospital Center.

The Black Health Empowerment Project is a national initiative sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation designed to educate African Americans about the obesity crisis and its disproportionate impact on the black community.

The Black Health Empowerment Project Tour makes a stop at York College on Saturday, March 25, for a day and family health and fitness activities featuring medical and nutrition experts, civic leaders and exercise instructors such as Ericka Simmons, who will be presenting a family fitness demonstration with Kangoo Jumps. Kangoo Jumps are low-impact aerobic shoes that put a "bounce" into fitness routines, including the fitness routine of Congressman Meeks, who tried on a pair of Kangoo Jumps during the press conference.

"We've got to fit fitness into our schedules," said Meeks, a U.S. Representative from New York's 6th Congressional District.

"An estimated 77% of African American women and 61% of African American men are overweight or obese. That is a startling statistic that can no longer be ignored," Meeks added.

"We as a society have to focus on change and on a better and healthy lifestyle. We have to make fitness accessible to our communities," said Meeks.

"One of our goals at Epic Sculpt is to reach out to communities and show families that fitness is fun," said Simmons. "When you're having fun with fitness, it's never a chore," Simmons said.

Representatives from Queens Hospital Center at the press conference included Dr. William Gibbs, director of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine. "Preventative medicine is much better than disease management," said Gibbs, who will also be participating in Saturday's activities at York College.

Simmons is one of a group of black professionals in the health, fitness and medical industries working in partnership with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation to raise awareness of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle to communities around the country.

This Saturday, at York College, Simmons will be conducting a family fitness course and children's fitness activities at 1:10 p.m. The public is invited to attend a day of free activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.cbcfinc.org.