Real Men Cook’s Father’s Day Celebration will continue its long tradition of serving healthy foods and promoting nutrition when it holds its annual event on Father’s Day Sunday, June 17 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The signature celebration will be held at Hales Franciscan High School, 4930 S. Cottage. Satellite events will be held at Trinity United Church of Christ in Gary, Indiana. A Real Men Cook gala will also be held in the South Suburbs, hosted by Fathers and Blessings. This celebration will be held on Saturday, June 16.
In making the announcement, Ayinde Cartman – Executive Director – Real Men Charities –noted that this year’s celebration will mark the 29th anniversary of this iconic Father’s Day Celebration. He added that each site is committed to support Real Men Cook’s tradition to incorporate healthy foods into their food offerings. So, in addition to barbecue ribs, and chicken, and other tasty tidbits, there will be salads, raw foods, grilled and roasted vegetables, fruits and baked fish and chicken.
Obari Cartman, Ph.D. Psychology, and Real Men Charities, Inc.’s program manager, will provide programming and coordinate activities that align with the organization’s Men’s Wellness Sunday activities, which are offered from the Quarry Events Center from 11:00 – 1:30 each Sunday. During these weekly sessions, created by Dr. Cartman, and Ayinde Cartman both master drummers, there is a for-men-only space to talk, or drum in a space provided to create peace and reduce trauma. At the Real Men Cook celebration at Hales, Dr. Cartman will bring his wellness message to a broader audience. He will also share his curriculum and the organization’s mission to build healthy families and communities, with special focus on men and children.
Yvette Moyo and Kofi Moyo, co-founders, added that the University of Chicago Medicine, a presenting sponsor, will host a Health and Wellness Zone where doctors and support staff will participate in serving. The University of Chicago Medicine, a sponsor since 2008, will also serve nutritious fare as part of its commitment to serve healthy foods. Their sponsorship is also in keeping with the mission that Real Men Charities promotes.
Entrepreneur Ranoule “Flash” Tatum will promote prostate awareness as part of the health initiative. Tatum, a prostate cancer survivor, has held these informational forums since 1999. He credits the information with empowering men to be more prostate conscious and vigilant about their health. This vigilance translates into saving their lives.
Ms. Moyo noted that many health crises that disproportionately affect African Americans can be addressed through healthy eating, exercise and minor lifestyle adjustments. With that as a mission, a select number of veteran event cooks will prepare healthy dishes that are good for maintaining heart health, preventing and managing diabetes, and addressing obesity.
Ayinde Cartman declared that Real Men Cook is proud to continue to bring the wellness message to this tribute to fathers because, he said, “healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle help save lives.”
For more information on Real Men Cook 2018, log on to www.realmencook.com.
