The WHY
The right people were in the room.
How It Started
2023 was a particularly long and hard year of losses among Philadelphia’s artistic community.
While many local musicians and media personalities were gathered to celebrate the birthdays of cultural champion Dyana Williams and her mother at a private event in late October, word quietly spread through the crowd about the death of beloved organist Azel Dixson. Devastated by the news, manager and promoter Tony Allen and former radio host Stephanie Renée shared conversation about their common desire to make a difference in the persistent grim statistics. Right away, they spoke to other influential partygoers about a way to share resources that has grown into the SICK WIT IT Health & Wellness Symposium.
“We have had enough of the near-death experiences and tragic losses. Somebody needed to step up and make a positive difference, so we did. And we’ll keep doing it. The fire has been lit.”
— Stephanie Renée
What We’ve Accomplished
Our premiere wellness event was organized and presented in under 2 months’ time at The Painted Bride Art Center in West Philadelphia.
That event featured a dozen wellness providers in a four-hour fair-style format, with approximately 100 participants in attendance.
Promotional efforts included extensive social media promotions and interviews on Radio One and WURD Radio.
Along with the health information, our Symposium provided a space for attendees to memorialize those we’ve lost and share their own personal testimonials about health challenges.
Plans include expanding our efforts to more Philadelphia neighborhoods in 2024 and beyond.
As Philadelphia moves toward the nation’s 250th birthday celebration in 2026, SICK WIT IT will set the stage for a star-studded fundraising gala to honor some of the city’s most beloved hitmakers who also battle health challenges, to give them their flowers and support their well-being in the future.