I CAN DO 26 POINT 2 KIDS

I CAN DO 26 POINT 2 KIDS, Inc. (26.2 KIDS) was founded by Chika Chukwuocha in response to the obesity-in-youth epidemic - particularly in African American youth from high-risk communities throughout Wilmington, Delaware. As a certified Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) coach, an experienced marathon runner, and possessing a passion for health and wellness in youth, Chika identified an un-addressed need to assist socially- and economically marginalized families better acknowledge the health, wellness, and nutritional needs of their youth. A Nigerian-born fitness enthusiast, mother of four and grandmother to one, a full-time I.T. executive at a Fortune 100 company, and wife of Poet Laureate and Delaware State Rep. Nnamdi Chukwuocha, Chika self-funded and implemented a 6-week-long, summer running and health program in 2016 targeting youth from low-income families in Wilmington.

Since its inception, 26.2 KIDS has helped over 200 youth from some of Wilmington’s most at-risk communities achieve a marathon-distance running course. Beyond increasing their rates of physical activity, participants and their families increased their awareness of health disparities experienced in their communities, the importance of nutrition and its direct correlation to health outcomes and participated in safe and productive out-of-school-time activities.