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DOH-Marion offers our youth a summer event they won’t want to miss

By Florida Department of Health in Marion County

May 27, 2022

 

Ocala, Fla. — NBA legend Michael Jordan once said of setting goals, “You must expect great things of yourself before you can do them.”

With that in mind, the Florida Department of Health in Marion County is hosting a free, fun summertime event that will entertain, enlighten and educate our community’s young people about finding success in our increasingly complex world. 

DOH-Marion’s BRAZEN team is holding Brazen Bash ’22, featuring the dynamic Rashad Jones, owner of Big Lee’s Serious About BBQ restaurants in Ocala and a star of the Food Network. 

This free event will feature activities such as a rock-climbing wall, obstacle course, bungee run and more. Participants will also be treated to food, music and giveaways. 

Jones will anchor the Bash, sharing his inspiring story about how he rose from being a homeless teenager to become a successful, award-winning restaurateur whose dishes are now seen on Food Network’s “BBQ Brawl” show starring renowned chef Bobby Flay. 

Before he became a celebrated pitmaster and restaurant owner, Jones developed DOH-Marion’s BRAZEN program and managed it for eight years. In that time, he connected with hundreds of our community’s youth as a mentor and a motivational speaker, who related his beliefs of the importance of setting goals and making sound decisions to achieve them. 

“I’ve been very fortunate in having a lot of success in what I do, right here in Ocala. And a big part of that success comes from really having a clear-cut vision for your life, your choices, your future — really knowing what you’re aiming for,” said Jones. 

The BRAZEN program, he said, was founded on the idea of helping our community’s youth make “smart, healthy decisions.” 

“In order to make great decisions, you have to be the kind of person that stands out,” he said. “In life, we get to be the authors of the stories of our own lives. We get to take the pen, which is our choices, and we get to write on the pages, which are each day that we have in life. That’s the cool thing about each day. Each day is a new opportunity to create the kind of story you want in life.” 

“Brazen Bash is going to be exciting. You don’t want to miss it,” he added. “You’re going to learn how to make some amazing choices in life, and you’re going to learn how to aim for the top.” 

The Bash is exclusively for youth 11 to 18. It will be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 30 at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Rd., Ocala. Summer camp programs are encouraged to attend. 

For more information, visit brazenbash.org, or find Brazen Bash on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Or you can call the Department at 352-644-2687 or email us at Info.Marion@FLHealth.gov. 

About the Florida Department of Health 

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.

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