Last Saturday, the “50 Million Pound Challenge” took off with a launch event at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The challenge, created by medical expert and TV personality, Dr. Ian Smith, aims to promote healthy living and weight loss in the African American community by getting people to commit to the goal of collectively losing 50 million pounds over the next few years. The campaign will travel across the country, hosting events with weight loss speakers and celebrities. Hosted by Dr. Smith and comedian/actor Steve Harvey, Saturday’s D.C. launch featured performances by Patti Labelle, Yolanda Adams and Omarion.