Root Magazine, one of gospel music’s premier publications, proudly announces the launch of its groundbreaking health awareness initiative, Rooted In Wellness, during its Sixteenth Anniversary Celebration and Annual Live Musical Showcase.
The event will take place on Friday, August 15, 2025, at Analog at the Hutton Hotel in Nashville, TN, as part of Stellar Awards weekend and is free of charge.
Rooted In Wellness is a new multimedia initiative and movement created by Root Magazine and Founder/CEO Hasan James, designed to address the critical health disparities impacting African-American communities—most urgently, the growing obesity crisis. The program will be announced at the event showcase and will unite trusted voices from faith, gospel music, and healthcare to create a culturally relevant, spiritually grounded wellness platform.
According to recent studies, 49.6% of African-American adults are affected by obesity and chronic illnesses, with faith-based communities particularly vulnerable. These health disparities are often exacerbated by socioeconomic factors and historical mistrust in healthcare systems, making it essential to engage trusted voices within the community — such as faith leaders and gospel artists — to help drive change.
“The declining state of health in the African-American communities demands that we do more — in more places, with more people — to educate and activate around preventative care and healthy habits. What better community to begin this movement than the gospel community?” — Hasan James, Founder/CEO, Root Magazine.
For years, Root Magazine has partnered with organizations, like St. Jude to emphasize their commitment to help highlight and fight worthy causes. This year, Root Magazine will look at a serious obesity trend in the African-American community with the help and in partnership with Novo Nordisk Inc. as Title Sponsor.
Event Highlights
What: Rooted In Wellness Live Musical Showcase
When: Friday, August 15, 2025, 1PM-5PM
Where: Analog at The Hutton Hotel, Nashville, TN
Who Should Attend: Gospel music lovers, health advocates, industry executives and tastemakers
Host: – Tasha Page-Lockhart, award-winning gospel artist and Rooted In Wellness Ambassador
Artist Line-Up: – SEMAJE (Billboard Top 20) – Brandon Watts and Selah Sound (Debut Gospel Album REWIND) – Soul Therapy (Contemporary Quartet) – ANTHNY (Rising Worship Artist)
-Chrystal Rucker (Contemporary & Traditional Gospel)
-Jonathan Nelson (Prolific Gospel Artist & Song Writer)
Rooted In Wellness is a faith-based wellness movement focused on uplifting and empowering Black communities to live fuller, healthier lives — mind, body, and spirit. Through storytelling, partnerships with health professionals and community engagement, the initiative promotes preventative care, personal wellness journeys, and spiritual motivation.
