Hip-Hop Hero:

Russell Simmons Urges Chicago to Choose Vegetarian

Internationally known hip-hop mogul, philanthropist, and entrepreneur Russell Simmons has teamed up with Mercy For Animals to launch a new pro-vegetarian billboard campaign.

Encouraging people to "Live Well. Eat Well. Choose Vegetarian," this South Chicago billboard is giving motorist some serious food for thought.

Russell Simmons supporting Mercy For Animals mission encouraging people to choose to be vegetarian

The new billboard campaign reaches a predominantly African-American audience and aims to encourage those at greater risk for heart disease and other deadly ailments caused by excessive meat consumption to consider plant-based alternatives to meat, dairy and eggs to improve their health and help animals.

According to the New England Journal of Medicine, before age 50, African-Americans are 20 times more likely to experience heart failure than whites. Additionally, the American Diabetes Association warns African-Americans are nearly two times more likely to become diabetic.

The best way to protect farmed animals from abuse and to safeguard our health is to adopt a healthy and humane vegetarian diet. For more information visit ChooseVeg.com.