Dr. Chinyere “Chi” Okpaleke-Johnson, physician, mental health advocate, and nonprofit founder, is calling the community to step forward in solidarity at the Walk with Dr. Chi campaign on Sunday, September 14, 2025.

This is more than just a walk—it’s a movement of hope and healing. Together, participants will walk to raise awareness for those struggling with mental health challenges, while also embracing the proven physical benefits of movement. Every step is a reminder that no one has to walk alone.

The event is free and open to all, with options to join Dr. Chi in person in Houston or virtually from anywhere in the world. By blending physical activity with mental health advocacy, the walk ensures that people everywhere can access both emotional uplift and the wellness benefits of walking.

How to Participate

1. Complete the official registration form here: EventBrite.

2. Upon registering, participants will receive an invitation to join the Step up app https://join.thestepupapp.com/Uyz3q9.

3. Accept the invitation to join the Walk with Dr. Chi group inside the app.

4. Use the app to track your walks, whether you are joining in Houston or virtually from anywhere.

5. Receive ongoing encouragement and motivational messages directly from Dr. Chi throughout the campaign.

IG Live Series During Suicide Prevention Month

As part of the “Walk with Dr. Chi” campaign, Dr. Chi will host a special Instagram Live series. These conversations will bring together diverse voices to discuss mental health and suicide prevention resources. The goal is to meet people where they are, providing encouragement for those who may be struggling in silence.

Partners Supporting the Campaign

The initiative is powered by partners committed to wellness, movement, and community:

• She Makes We – Fostering community, sharing resources, and promoting wellness among members.

• Black Girl Vitamins – Donating product gift bags for the first 50 attendees and supporting on-site with a vendor table

• Bee Fit Foods – Providing nutritious meals, a discount code for participants, and collaborative social media posts

About Dr. Chi

Affectionately known as Dr. Chi, Chinyere Okpaleke is more than a physician. She is a leader who blends science, service, and storytelling to heal and empower others. Raised in a Nigerian immigrant household, she learned resilience and the value of community at an early age. She went on to excel academically and athletically, graduating Cum Laude in biomedical sciences from the University of South Florida while competing as a Division I basketball player.

She later earned her M.D. from Ross University School of Medicine and completed her residency at USF. Today, she serves as a family medicine hospitalist while also leading initiatives that make mental health resources accessible to underserved communities. Her nonprofit, Reality Speaks, Inc., provides mentorship, clothing drives, scholarships, and wellness events.

Dr. Chi’s work has been featured on Good Morning America, KHOU, and BNC News, where she has been recognized for making health education both personal and practical. Known for her down-to-earth personality, she often shares that she “leads while healing,” reminding others that mental wellness is not about perfection but about progress.

Why This Matters

“Walk with Dr. Chi is about more than movement, it is about starting real conversations around mental health while walking side by side,” said Dr. Chi. “Every step we take is a reminder that wellness is both physical and emotional, and no one should feel they have to navigate it alone.”

Event Details

Date: Sunday, September 14, 2025

Location: Houston, TX (in-person) and Virtual (via the Stepup App)

Registration: Free and open to the public. Sign up here

For media inquiries, or to schedule an interview with Dr Chi for both in-person and Zoom interviews—please contact Innovating Marketing Group at info@innovatingmarketinggroup.com or call 346-980-9062. For more information, campaign updates, and encouragement from Dr. Chi, follow her on Instagram at @ask_drchi.

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Media Contact:

Contact: LaToya Hurley 
Innovating Marketing Group
Email: info@innovatingmarketinggroup.com
Phone: 346-980-9062
Website: Innovating Marketing Group