How has your organization developed a partnership with former NBA player Earvin “Magic” Johnson’s alternative school Bridgescape Academy?
We were already in the South Shore neighborhood doing work with Henry English who is the president of “Black United Fund of Illinois” in the South Shore area. We went to talk to him about what we were doing, and in that same night Mr. English held a meeting with all the youth connectors in the area, and Magic Johnson and Will Polite, who is Bridgescape’s vice president of development, were both in the room. We had introduced ourselves, and talked about our organization and Magic Johnson visited our organization to see what we were doing and we made a connection.
How has Book over Balls made a difference?
We were able to get 80 young men off the streets and into the gym. This past August we teamed up with NBA star Will Bynum’s Elite Basketball Camp and had kids signing the Non-Violence Task Force Bill with Gov. Pat Quinn and State Rep. La Shawn K. Ford in pledging to stay away from violence.
What are some of your strength and weakness?
My weakness is being overly committed because I know we are in a crisis and it’s not normal. We’re losing too many babies.
Why is this work important to you?
It’s a passion. When I was younger I had guy’s mentoring me and helping me stay out of trouble. I’m trying to influence what they gave me.
Article Appeared @http://blackstarjournal.org/?p=3857