On Thursday, First Lady Michelle Obama paid a visit to Maple Avenue School in Newark, N.J., for her "Let's Move" campaign, which was launched this past summer to fight youth obesity.

To begin the event, Newark's Mayor Cory Booker (pictured above) spoke to Maple's Pre-K to 8th grade students about how Mrs. Obama called him one day about "eradicating childhood obesity" in Newark and the nation:

"I got a call in my office from the First Lady Michelle Obama who asked us to join with her as a city to engage with her in a larger national movement called 'Let's Move.' She believes that if we partner with her ... [we can] eradicate and eliminate obesity.

"I took up that challenge not just because I was honored to get her phone call, but because I believe in Newark, I believe that this city could ramp up our efforts and that we can become a national model for fighting obesity."

Chastity Sumler, a young high school leader from Mississippi who says that she lost three family members to obesity, followed Mayor Booker's address by informing the students that it is important to eat healthy so they can live a better life:

"Kids like you can go out and make a difference. Let people know, 'Hey, I'm getting active, I'm eating healthy, how about you.'"

With a deafening round of applause, Hydia Black a 6th grade honor student who is also a member of the Alvin Ailey dance troupe and treasurer of her school, said an impressive introduction for the First Lady.

Mrs. Obama's message of the need for healthier living was personable, instructive and inspirational:

"Never doubt the power of your voices ... another reason why today is so special...[is] because you guys, all of you sitting around, are leaders in your own communities and in your own schools, really demonstrating how with some very small, modest ideas and a little leadership, you can make changes right where you live.

"In order for you to change the world, though, you have to have energy. And in order for you to do that, you got to eat right. The problem, though, is that right now a lot of kids aren't eating healthy. You know some kids, right? Not everybody is doing what they're supposed to do. They're not eating their vegetables. They're going down the street and having chips for breakfast and soda pop for every meal of the day, right?

"That fruit drink, that red stuff that turns your mouth all red -- too much of that. [Laughter] And you spend a little too much time watching TV. I'm sorry, I know you're excited, but sometimes you got to turn the TV off. [Groans] I know. (Laughter) I'm sorry to bear bad news. But you're playing too many video games."

Mrs. Obama, who is already known for her distinctive oratory abilities, really struck the right tone with her young audience. They were engaged and responsive to her message, laughing and naturally complaining as her message wore on.

At the end of her speech, the First Lady announced that Mayor Booker would be starting a "Let's Move Newark" in order to encourage the youth in his city to get and stay on the right path:

"Your mayor, as I said, Mayor Booker is playing a leading role in this effort. He has been helping us not just in Washington, but he's leading the charge right here in New Jersey by starting "Let's Move Newark."

Before Mrs. Obama left the building, she personally greeted students with more hugs than handshakes while Aretha Franklin's "Respect" and the Jackson 5's "Give Me One Chance" played in the background.

Watching the children stretching across aisles and careening their necks to touch Mrs. Obama was a delightful sight. Those children will always remember that they saw, touched and heard Mrs. Obama give her message about how changing the world takes both a healthful body and mind.

I don't care what the media has to say about the Obamas. They are reaching out and connecting and inspiring our youth. Seeing those children glow and gaze at an accomplished career woman and Mother who looks like them and has daughters that look like them was moving.

I'm sure it is an experience they will likely commit to memory and pass down to their children, that one day, when they were 10, 14, or 16 years old, they witnessed an electrifying black woman give them tips on how to live well ... and it changed their lives.