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Detroit Gives It Up for The Challenge

Record Crowd & All-Star Cast Shift into Overdrive to Get Motor City Moving as 50 Million Pound Challenge Continues Its Drive Across America

A high-energy, high-revving crowd of thousands arrived early and packed Detroit's Hart Plaza amphitheater in record numbers on Saturday as the Motor City delivered a rousing welcome for The 50 Million Pound Challenge. World-class performances from a star-studded cast set the pace and gave attendees a chance to take in an afternoon of great live music & entertainment and also take a vow to 'give up the pounds, not the fight.'

Led by Dr. Ian Smith—author of the NY Times #1 bestseller Extreme Fat Smash Diet and expert on VH1's Celebrity Fit Club—The Challenge made the 7th stop on its 14-city tour across the country to mobilize people to take control of their health and turn back the deadly toll of weight-related diseases.  Joining Dr. Ian in Detroit was an all-star celebrity line-up including R&B star Brian McKnight, gospel singer Yolanda Adams, singing sensation 112, radio host Steve Harvey, Detroit Lions running back Tatum Bell and renowned DJ Biz Markie.

The event—arguably the campaign's best yet—drew a crowd site officials estimated as approaching 10,000. It clearly showed The Challenge is picking up steam and building momentum as it moves through its hot summer schedule. Attendees enthusiastically gave it up for the performers all afternoon. And they lined up in unprecedented numbers to get free health screenings and join The Challenge to start their personal campaigns to get fit & lose weight, live longer, look & feel great.

In just over three months since the initiative launched, more than 165,000 participants have signed up and lost a total of more than 340,000 pounds. This historic campaign & commitment by the African-American community, sponsored by State Farm, continues on to Atlanta on Saturday, July 21 and St. Louis on Saturday, July 28.  For more information, visit http://www.50millionpounds.com.

Key highlights and comments from Detroit included:

  • "This is an historic opportunity to join hands as a community, take control of our health and save lives," said Dr. Ian Smith. "While we're learning about health, we also want you to have fun.  The groundswell of support is remarkable. More than 165,000 people have joined, losing more than 340,000 pounds. And we're just getting started. What began as a simple challenge has become a remarkable commitment across the entire community. Working together, we will reverse these deadly health trends, one small step at a time. The reward is well worth the weight—not only will it help you live longer, but you'll look and feel great."
  • On behalf of Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, his Chief of Staff, Christine Beatty, read a proclamation that praised The Challenge for it's efforts helping people across America fight back the epidemic of excess weight and lead healthier lives.  The proclamation welcomed the campaign to Detroit and officially declared July 14, 2007 as the city's "50 Million Pound Challenge Day."
  • Grammy-nominated R&B star Brian McKnight sang his chart-topping hits and told the crowd: "It's easy these days to get caught up in what's 'right now' and living only for the moment. The Challenge is a welcome reminder and wake-up call. We all have the power to write the songs of our lives and fulfill the promise of our dreams. You haven't seen anything yet."
  • Grammy-winning gospel singer Yolanda Adams, a Challenge Champion since the campaign's launch in Washington, DC, offered her own motivational message, saying, "We need to take it one day at a time.   Too many of us are dying too early because of lifestyle choices that lead to weight-related illnesses. The Challenge is bringing us together and empowering us with the tools and support we need to help ourselves & help each other.  We can feel the power—from inside each one of us, from each other, and from God."
  • Detroit Lions Star running back Tatum Bell rallied the crowd with encouragement to strive for their personal goals, and predicted the Lions would give it their all to make a run at the Super Bowl this coming season.  He signed autographs for many a happy Lions fan and event attendee.
  • Rounding out the day was hip hopping music to move attendees' bodies and souls from singing sensation 112 and the renowned DJ Biz Markie, and an afternoon of stand-up comedy extraordinaire from national radio host Steve Harvey.
  • The day concluded with Dr. Ian and the celebrities joining thousands of participants in a Challenge walk around Detroit's Hart Plaza to mark the first steps in their personal campaigns to make better lifestyle choices and enjoy healthier, longer lives.