Written by Nathifa King| Edited by Kayla Swindell
The HealthJox Festival made its international debut in Antigua, West Indies on October 12, 2024, at the JSC Sports Complex in Piggotts, Antigua. This family-friendly event offered a comprehensive sports experience, featuring basketball clinics and games, pickleball sessions, Air-O-Dart activities, and workouts suitable for all ages. Attendees also enjoyed live performances during halftime by JaredSB from Brooklyn, NY and DJ Sticko from Jamaica, contributing to a vibrant atmosphere. Free food and drinks were distributed thanks to local vendors connected to the event.
Along with Missionary Bishop – Dr. Lester Bradford and Kayla Swindell, Dewry DuRoi arrived a week earlier to conduct a media tour where they promoted the 3-events that they were hosting: “Clarion Call for Prayer; Prayer Jam and HealthJox Festival – Antigua. On Monday, September 30, 2024, they were interviewed on Antigua and Barbuda’s national television station – Antigua Barbuda Today on ABS where they invited all the youth, parents and caregivers on the islands of Antigua and Barbuda to attend all 3 events. Interviews were also premiered on Antigua and Barbuda’s national radio station – “The David Lester Payne Show” - on Observer Radio, “Transforming the Nations” – on Observer Radio, “Twin Island Radio” and “Phoenix Free Press” with Lady Nikki Phoenix.
A significant component of the festival was its focus on mental health, hosted by HealthJox’s Program Director and Certified Mental Health Coach, Kayla Swindell. Procured by Clinical Psychologist, Cerene Prince - founder of Antigua & Barbuda Holistic Coalition, HealthJox was able to forge relationships with mental health experts on the island of Antigua, notably: mental health advocates, Chaneil Imhoff - Avada Digital; Clinical Psychologist, Tia Phillip, MSc; Clinical Psychologist - Resident Psychologist at Orchard Blue Counseling Services, Dr. Melesha Sinclair Harris, PhD, LP, MECC, MCGI. In collaboration with local professionals, HealthJox conducted workshops addressing topics such as self-esteem, healthy boundaries, triggers, anxiety, and depression. This initiative aimed to provide valuable resources and support to the youth, parents and caregivers of Antigua and Barbuda. The overall event was produced by Chairman Emeritus of HealthJox Foundation, Inc. - Dewry DuRoi Bradford; Chief Operating Officer of HealthJox LLC - Nathifa King; and Coach Lahh Woods - founder of Front Court Masters – which is an international basketball tournament created to keep youth and athletes over the age of 50 active throughout the world. Coach Woods conducted basketball and airodart drills, stretching and breathing exercises to prepare the youth of Antigua and Barbuda for the basketball tournament. Once the games commenced, the energy of the event reached a fever-pitch. In the end, the orange team won the championship and the blue team was the runner-up.
The festival was part of a broader mission trip to Antigua, honoring the late Pastor Janette Bradford. The trip included special presentations at the Antigua Girls High School, reflecting Pastor Bradford's dedication to giving back to her alma mater. There was a plaque and picture raised and established on school grounds commemorating her life and legacy as a missionary to the island. Additionally, the event featured Missionary Bishop – Dr. Lester Bradford’s gospel concert "PRAYER JAM," with artists from the United States of America, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Antigua. A National Day of Prayer for Antigua and Barbuda called the “Clarion Call To Prayer,” emphasized the festival's spiritual and community-oriented objectives.
The HealthJox Festival – Antigua, is a family-friendly event that debuted on October 12, 2024, at the JSC Sports Complex in Piggotts, Antigua. Organized by Dewry DuRoi Bradford and HealthJox Foundation, Inc., they partnered with the Antigua and Barbuda Basketball Association through the president - Michael Freeland. The festival aims to promote health and wellness through a variety of activities suitable for all ages. The HealthJox Festival - Antigua reflects HealthJox Foundation's commitment to fostering healthy minds, bodies, and environments by combining sports, mental health awareness, and community-building activities.
SPONSORS:
On behalf of HealthJox LLC, HealthJox Foundation, Inc., we would like to thank our vendors: Antigua and barbuda Holistic Coalition, Antigua and Barbuda Basketball Association, Orchard Blue Counseling Services, Tucker on the Grill, West Indies Oil Company, Reggae Village Antigua and Island Sips.
For more information about the HealthJox and its initiatives, you can visit their official website: https://www.healthjoxfoundation.org/
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