![EATING RIGHT IS A SUPER POWER—Prescott Ellison hangs out with two SuperFood characters, Andy Apple and Betty Broccoli, at his Simi Valley home on Jan. 23. MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers](https://www.simivalleyacorn.com/wp-content/uploads/images/2024-02-03/3p1-1024x708.jpg)
EATING RIGHT IS A SUPER POWER—Prescott Ellison hangs out with two SuperFood characters, Andy Apple and Betty Broccoli, at his Simi Valley house on Jan. 23. MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers
Simi Valley resident Prescott Ellison’s journey to changing into an advocate for childhood well being started in a family the place the values of training and diet have been paramount.
Raised by a schoolteacher mom and a navy veteran father who ran a restaurant, Ellison absorbed important life classes in enterprise, self-discipline and focus from a younger age whereas working in his dad’s institution.
His youth have been additionally formed by iconic tv reveals like “Sesame Avenue,” “The Electrical Firm” and “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” and the nurturing nature of his health-conscious mother.
Now 58, Ellison is leveraging these early influences to deal with childhood weight problems by way of an academic curriculum referred to as “SuperFood Pals” that he’s hoping to show right into a tv present.
The 100 SuperFood characters that Ellison’s artistic thoughts has dreamed up—corresponding to Andy Apple, Suzy Strawberry and Buddy Banana—function the cornerstone of his efforts to encourage more healthy habits amongst kids.
![A NUTRITION ‘SUPERHERO’—Prescott Ellison and his SuperFood Friends are on a mission to help kids eat better. MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers](https://www.simivalleyacorn.com/wp-content/uploads/images/2024-02-03/3p2-529x1024.jpg)
![A NUTRITION ‘SUPERHERO’—Prescott Ellison and his SuperFood Friends are on a mission to help kids eat better. MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers](https://www.simivalleyacorn.com/wp-content/uploads/images/2024-02-03/3p2-529x1024.jpg)
A NUTRITION ‘SUPERHERO’—Prescott Ellison and his SuperFood Pals are on a mission to assist youngsters eat higher. MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers
“SuperFood Pals” is motivated by Ellison’s success throughout numerous domains.
A best-selling writer, patented inventor, in-demand drummer, presidential award recipient, philanthropist and entrepreneur, Ellison attributes his achievements to his mother and father, who taught him that something is feasible in the event you work onerous and let your creativeness soar.
His numerous journey started with a childhood dream of changing into a musician and rock star.
Ellison’s musical prowess noticed him educate himself drums on the age of 9, rapidly incomes recognition as a baby prodigy in his native Chicago.
He went on to tour with distinguished artists like Arrested Improvement and Sade. Over a profitable 25-year music profession, Ellison additionally recorded with hitmakers corresponding to Christina Aguilera, Earth, Wind & Fireplace, Stevie Surprise and Brian McKnight. Enjoying on Justin Timberlake’s Grammy-winning album “Justified” marked a pinnacle in his musical journey.
Transitioning from music, Ellison redirected his focus towards a function pushed path that aligned along with his passions for diet, health and training.
His invention, the Physique Bench, a transportable exercise bench, gained recognition through the COVID period when gyms have been closed.
Buoyed by the success of the Physique Bench, Ellison expanded his health-driven initiatives by making a diet and health curriculum for youths in kindergarten by way of fifth grade.
The SuperFood Pals, a set of fruit and vegetable characters, grew to become the point of interest of his efforts to interact, encourage and educate kids, particularly these in danger in underserved communities.
“The ‘SuperFood Pals’ program helps educate kids to be nutritionally literate, to make knowledgeable selections about their life, and encourages them to remain energetic,” Ellison mentioned.
The curriculum discovered a house in Las Vegas faculties, the place Ellison lived earlier than relocating to Simi Valley.
Inspired by constructive response to the college program, Ellison is now creating a tv present harking back to “Sesame Avenue.”
The proposed present would function stay SuperFood characters and puppets interacting with kids, participating them in enjoyable and academic actions.
Ellison mentioned he’s nonetheless searching for a community or channel to air the present.
Ellison’s grassroots efforts all through the years haven’t gone unnoticed. He has obtained quite a few accolades, such because the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for volunteer service, the 2017 Childhood Weight problems Prevention Award and the 2016 Area to Fork Award.
Along with his “ SuperFood Pals” venture, Ellison is engaged on a music album.
Ellison emphasizes that his life and achievements revolve round “creation, innovation and creativeness,” ideas instilled in him by his mother and father, Wilbert and Hattie Ellison.
“It begins with the household I used to be lucky to have,” he mentioned. “And I’m nonetheless ready to make use of that have to assist and encourage others.”
Partnering on a SuperFood Pals exhibit at The Artwork Middle of Highland Park in Chicago, Govt Director James Lynch expressed admiration for Ellison’s dedication to instructing kids about diet and cultivating wholesome habits.
Recognizing Ellison as a relatable “superhero” for youths, Lynch lauded Ellison’s distinctive potential to carry concepts to fruition, saying, “We’d like much more folks like him.”