WS Chronicle

In the photo above: Busta Brown

Special to The Chronicle

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death in Forsyth County, and is linked to adult blindness, kidney disease and leg amputations, among many other health problems.

African-Americans are more than twice as likely to develop diabetes compared to whites. To try to increase awareness of diabetes in the community, Next Level Productions, Gramercy Research Group, DRL Toons and the Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity are partnering to host the Busta Brown’s Summer Music Festival Diabetes Awareness and Health Fair on Saturday, June 27 from 12 to 4 p.m. at the Liberty Street Market, 1591 N. Liberty St.

The event is part of the Irene Wharton Lecture Series supported by funds from Wharton Gladden. The lecture series is named after Ms. Irene Wharton, a former resident of east Winston-Salem who died from complications of diabetes. The event is free to the public and will be co-hosted by local media personalities Busta Brown and Debra Terry. Musical artists will be on hand, including Adrian Durell, Michael Goldsmith, Karon Click and the Hotlicks, Genre, Dalton Village and Morning Glory. A fitness dance will be led by Praize Craze. Health screenings will also be available.

“This is a very important event for our community,” said Dr. Ronny Bell, director of the Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity at Wake Forest Baptist Health.