U Want Game

MEET JOE BRANCH

Co-Founder -  uwantgame.org

Very few organizations work with preparing teen athletes for life after high school.  However, SIL Magazine had a chance to sit one on one with Joe Branch, co-founder of UWANTGAME.ORG, a dynamic program that mentors and guides high school athletes for maintaing the game off court on the collegiate level.

SIL:  What was the inspiration behind forming UWANTGAME.ORG?

Joe Branch: U Want Game was basically a vision from my mentor who wanted to give back.  We both were college athletes and we both saw the need to give back.  A lot of former athletes were out there without a vision or without a need as to where they wanted to take their life in sports.  We felt that instead of waiting until the college level, why not start teaching teens career development and life skills on the high school level.

SIL: Why does your organization focus on just student athletes?

JB: I think it’s a niche.  There are other organizations that help and focus on regular students who need help with school or testing,  or  that do curriculums, but this was the life that we lived, basically.  There are many kids who want to live that life as well; that aspire to be professional athletes and that pour a lot of time and energy  into being the best they can be on the field.  Therefore, we know that there needs to be an extra push geared toward those students as well.  We feel that this is something that we understand, so this is why choose to seek out high school student athletes.

SIL:  What is the process of getting students involved in the program?

JB: Right now we’re based in New York and we want to grow. Teachers or kids can reach out to U Want Game via our website, or relationships through us, or management.  We have an application and a short essay that we’d like to see.  Basically, we want to look at their road map or the journey that they want to live.  We get consent from a high school administrator or a parent, we review that and hopefully the relationship is underway.
SIL: How many applicants would you say you get at any given time?

JB: We have about twenty-five to thirty students in our program right now.  That’s really the amount that we need to have.  We don’t want to get too large right now, because we want to be able to have a good impact.  We have about twenty-five to thirty mentors as well, so there’s a one on one mentor ration as well.

SIL:  How are the mentors selected?

JB: The mentors are selected through the management team.  They have an application that they have to fill out also, and basically we want to know if they have a sincere vision to help these high school student athletes.  Some of the mentors are former collegiate athletes as well, so it’s like a niche market, like we’re building the game behind the game.  These are all of the mentors that have walked this path, some of them walked the path with mentors before, and some didn’t, so the ones that we have are eager to give back.

SIL:  So how do you build the relationships with the different schools?  What high schools in New York are you working with now?

JB: We’re at [Benjamin] Banneker High School, we have kids in Bishop Lockland High School, Xavier, St. Michaels, Boys and Girls High School,  and we have Manhattan Center also.  We have about five or six high schools.
Some of these relationships were developed from my previous job at Nike, where I did a lot of grassroots marketing, so these were the relationships that I had then.  Now, it’s just a matter of going back to these guys and letting them know that we’re building a business, or building a program and a curriculum off the court for these students that want to be a part of it.

SIL:  There are many athletes that tend to put sports before education.  What does U Want Game offer that  instills  the importance of getting an education as well?

JB: I think when you’re working with a student athlete, you don’t want to deter their dreams of being a collegiate or professional athlete. There is a hunger, desire, passion, or work ethic that you have to have at a very early age to reach these goals.  What we want to do is coincide with that and make sure that they understand what we call the plan B, but we want to pull out what else that it is that they can do with their lives.  As our mission says, we want to build the game behind the game, so if its writing skills, interpersonal skills, if it’s public speaking skills, if its about the basics of finance, our goal is to teach them.

SIL:  So, if they have a dream or vision of playing sports on a collegiate level, the program basically prepares them on how to balance this?

JB: Right, within the three years, we’ll have career panels and workshops where they’ll meet various authors.  We have something that we call the book of the year, and an author will come to speak with them.  We have something where mentors can speak to them about the academic, athletic experience, and how to balance things. They are talking to them about what college life is really like; the time they’ll spend in the weight room, the time they’ll spend in study hall, the training table, road trips, and different things like that.  Then, each year we’ll go to at least one college for a visit, so they can ask the questions that they have.

SIL:  Is this a major challenge that a lot of high school students going into college face, trying to juggle all of that?

JB: Oh, yes!  I think college is new for everyone and everyone is prepared in high school in a different way.  I went to a college preparatory high school; some people go to a public school to focus.   I wasn’t a primadonna student athlete, but I worked hard and I received a scholarship.  There is a lot given to high school student athletes.  Once they sign a letter of intent, things change, there’s a new crop of freshman every year, so you’re just another one of the guys or young ladies once you get to the college level.  It’s like you’re a brand and you have to say how can I best sell my brand, or what can I do to enhance my brand on this level.

SIL:  What makes U Want Game better than a PAL or YMCA?

JB: Well, I think what makes us different is that again, it’s a niche market.  All former collegiate athletes are mentoring high school student athletes, and its all
focused on off the court development.   It’s male and female, and there are three years instead of one year.   There is a certain amount of structure that we have, and a certain amount of support.  There is a certain amount of guidance and a certain amount of access that we provide for kids that really want to go to the next level.  We think it’s a unique experience being a part of U Want Game.

SIL:    Where would you like to see U Want Game in the next couple of years?

JB: First, I’d like to see a first class of mentees graduate in New York City.  I’d like to see some large scale programming events around the country that we’d like to do; we’re working on some things like that, some symposiums.  Also, I’d like to see us branch out into other markets as well.

SIL:   Since you were a former collegiate athlete, that experience must have an impact in terms of how you are rearing teens?

JB: Yes.  There’s nothing that they’re going to go through that I didn’t go through, so a lot of times you might have a mentor or somebody that they don’t really relate too, but we can relate.  I go to church, I liked girls when I was young, I had to lift weights, I played three sports in high school, so there’s not much that a kid that is 16 years old in high school is going through that I hadn’t gone through.

SIL:    Is there any advice that you’d like to share with our SIL audience?

JB: I would just like to say, give back!  Be a mentor, have a vision, ask questions, dream big, and have a passion.

If you are a high school athlete or a  mentor interested in becoming involved in the U Want Game organization, check out their site at info@uwantgame.org for the latest 411.

SIL Honors Alonzo Mouring’s Zo’s Summer Groove featuring D. Wade

Jennifer Safara Perry

Last summer,  Say it LOUD! took several road trips and Miami, Florida was one of our main stops for Zo’s Summer Groove featuring D. Wade. Now in its’ 12th year, proceeds from ZSG benefit both Alonzo Mourning Charities and Wade’s World Foundation. Highlights included a youth summit, youth basketball clinics, golf classic, benefit dinner, block party, all-star basketball game, and comedy show.

Both men were excited about joining forces to make an even bigger impact on the community, “Dwyane’s leadership and personal interest in helping young people develop their goals is aligned with the core of what we do,” said Mourning.  “Alonzo and I share the same vision.  I’ve learned so much from him about the importance of using our successes and voices to positively affect change in the community in which we live.  I’ve had a chance to participate in many ZSG events over the years but now it’s not only even more exciting, but also very personal to me, because it’s something we are doing together: merging our goals to make a greater impact” said Wade.

Alonzo Mourning Charities’ mission is to encourage the educational development of our youth by creating programs and youth enrichment centers that promote positive change in low socioeconomic communities.  Since 1997 AM Charities has raised more than 6.5 million for various programs that aid in the development of children and their families.  With the help of donors, Mourning opened the Overtown Youth Center in 2003.  A major component of AM Charities is the Honey Shine Mentoring Program that works to empower young girls to shine as women.

Wade’s World Foundation provides support to community based organizations that promote education, health and social skills for children in at-risk situations.  Dwyane was inspired to start the foundation because he wanted to give back to underserved communities and support issues of purpose.  As Wade’s World Foundation continues to develop and expand, the mission is to touch young lives around the globe.   With the goal of building a youth center in the area where he grew up, Dwyane will continue to support a variety of programs that inspire, uplift and motivate. “I can’t just let basketball define who I am and what I am supposed to become,” said Wade.  “Like my mother always tells me, ‘[My life] is bigger than basketball.’”

Mourning and Wade acknowledge that our youth are constantly faced with challenging situations and decisions.  Along with the Michael Fux Foundation they organized a full day summit designed to open the lines of communication and discuss real issues that are important to youth at this stage of their lives.  Covering a gamut of issues, youth participants had an open dialogue with model individuals, prominent leaders in the community, entertainers, professional athletes, and other teens to find solutions and gain a positive perspective. The following are excerpts from various panelists involved with the phenomenal Youth Summit.  We encourage you to read and take heed to their important and profound advice.  Although they addressed that particular group of youth, their words resonated and are relevant to all.

Alonzo “Zo” Mourning: Bill Gates is one of the richest men in the world, if not the richest man in the world but he’s still learning.  He will tell you that he’s still learning, trying to find new and creative ways to make money, to make things happen.  So don’t ever stop learning, don’t ever stop gaining and developing and looking for new and improved information.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and please don’t be afraid to say it because that’s the only way you’re going to improve in life, learning from your experiences.  What we’re in here telling you today is for your own good.  We’re not here just for ourselves, we’re here for you.

Ed Lover: The difference between constructive criticism and somebody trying to say something to bring you down is just like if your interests, your passions, you want to be a baker, you like to bake, you like to cook and somebody tastes your stuff and they go, “This stuff is nasty, ill” and they just walk away and tell everybody, “She can’t cook, her stuff is nasty.”  The difference is somebody saying, “This is really not good, maybe you should add this or maybe you should try this or maybe you should try a different method or I saw this on television you can add this ingredient.”  That’s constructive criticism.  Somebody can tell you it’s nasty not adding anything to it or not enhancing anything for you, that’s the difference.  Some of you might be into fashion.  You might have a certain way you like to wear your clothes, or you might want to create your own clothes.  You break it out and show it to one of your friends and they’re like, “That’s corny.”  Maybe if you change the buttons or maybe if you did something different, that’s constructive criticism in comparison to somebody that is trying to say something to bring you down.

Terence: I host 106th & Park and it’s really enjoyable for me.  I always wanted to sing or rap or do something like that but I was never able to do those things.  So I ended up being on TV, kind of in the industry and that goes to show you might not be able to get exactly what you want out of life meaning some people wanted to play basketball and may not be able to go into the NBA like D. Wade or Zo but there’s so many different opportunities in the industry.  You could be a broadcaster, trainer, publicist, you could be so many different things, you could be part of the team.  So once again whatever you want to do in life just keep on going for your dreams but getting that education is what’s going to really be valuable in you being successful regardless of what you do.  I ended up on TV by mistake, I never grew up and said I want to be a DJ when I grow up it just kind of happened and I’m really blessed to be here and meet you guys today.

Tamekia Flowers-Holland: That’s another thing, I’m glad you brought that up, he does one thing but he’s not afraid to try something else.  A lot of times you just fall back on one thing but diversify your skill sets, diversify your interests.  You’re doing things; look into other things, that’s how you can really find out what it is that you have that true passion for.  There’s nothing wrong with that.

Alonzo “Zo” Mourning: Each and every one of you all in here has a talent, regardless of if you know it or not right now. You have a talent and it’s up to you to educate yourself and find out exactly what your talent is.  Terence said he didn’t know exactly what talents he had but he was persistent in trying to figure out, this is my big chance, I’m going to go here, I’m going to go there. I’m going to drive here, I’m going to drive there, I’m going to make the sacrifices  I need to make in order to put myself in the position  where I can find out, what am I exactly good at.  So as soon as he got his foot in the door, these opportunities opened up for him because he worked his butt off, he continued to put himself in positions but all in all, it tells us educate ourselves in some type of magnitude, you’ve got to get some type of education.  And I’m not saying you’ve got to run off to college and get a college degree and everything, which would be great obviously, but you’ve got to get some form of education.  You’ve got to read up on certain stuff, you’ve got to learn different things. You’ve got to understand that the only way to even get somewhere, that I have to do something to get there.  It’s not just going to fall from the cracks alright.  I have to be an active participant in my success. I can’t wait on somebody else to do it you’ve got to do it.

Tracy Mourning: My children are my inspiration. My children make we want to know more and learn more.  They teach me things that I don’t even want to know, and by my children I don’t only mean the two that I’ve given birth to I mean my children, my girls, you all, that inspires me. I know that I’ve been blessed all my life, God is so good, He’s blessed me all my life, but I know it’s not just because. He’ s blessed me because I have a responsibility and I have work to do.  I just don’t want you to ever give up because things are going to get tough. Life is not easy, it’s going to get tough, you’re going to have challenges all your life but don’t give up. You can’t live your life in fear afraid of trying things, you must move forward in faith. So instead of living in fear, please live in faith and never ever ever give up, it’s too much work to do. You have a responsibility all of you to see where you can make a difference for someone else. So please don’t ever give up.

Lauren London: I’m going to give you the same advice that I keep telling myself, I tell myself every morning be patient with yourself and embrace where you are. I just want to say keep going, but be patient with yourself, on your pace, and love yourself.

Gabrielle Union: It’s about being better today then you were yesterday; it’s all about evolution.  If you were a “C” student yesterday be an “A” student today.

Judge Hatchett: If there is no limit, sky is the limit on what you can do with your life, what is your dream for your life? Close your eyes and count to three. If you could be anything in the world you want to be?  I want you to hold that dream and don’t let anybody or anything get in the way of your dream, not the haters. This is your homework assignment, I want you to go home and I want you take a piece of paper, and I want you to write in big letters what that dream is. Then I want you to ask your parents permission to get four thumb tacks I want you to tack it up over your bed. Why, because I want it to be the first thing you see every morning when you wake up, and I want it to be the last thing you see every night before you go to sleep.  You will remember the day when you tacked on that ceiling, when you’re delivering babies in a hospital 15 years from now, you tacked up obstetrician.  When you win a championship ring you will remember that you put up pro baller; a journalist when you win a Pulitzer Prize. It’s real, because in our community I started this whole posting a dream theme all around the country, because we have got to be in the business of posting our young peoples dreams.

Dwyane Wade: To our young Black, beautiful women, to our young Black strong men, one thing you have to do in life, there’s many things, but one thing you have to do, you have to believe in yourself. If you don’t believe in yourself there’s no one that can believe enough in you so if you want to succeed in life, you want to succeed in anything, it comes from the inner and then it comes outside. So look at a mirror everyday and say “I believe.” Thank you.

Alonzo “Zo” Mourning: Anytime we have an opportunity to do this, this is truly a blessing, not just for you guys but for us, because we are able to use our blessings and our experiences as tools for you all to take out of those doors and use them for the rest of your lives. Use them to build; we’re giving you tools to build, all the information and all the things that you’ve gone through, we’ve gone through.  So those experiences that we’ve had, we’re giving them to you providing words of wisdom so that you can take with you and build your own lives, become productive citizens. We all want to see each and every one of you become productive citizens and run this world.  You will be our leaders, truly our leaders, so stand on that information as you go out and you accomplish all the goals that Judge Hatchett just said that you’re going to write on that piece of paper, go out and accomplish those goals, use these particular tools. I love each and every one of you like you are my own. I want to see each and every one of you all accomplish all your goals, that’s the purpose of this session right here. Please take all the words that we said, take them with you and use them in your lives. Remember what I said, in order for good things to happen in your life you’ve got to surround yourself with good people. God bless you all.

Truly an insightful and motivating day, some teens shared that they learned, “Be true to yourself. Never give up. Don’t disgrace women. Be you. Be different.”

For more information please visit www.amcharities.org and www.dwaynewade.com

Please check the video for more highlights of this spectacular event.

Everybody LOVES…Chris Paul Find out more about the New Orleans Point Guard and his CP3 Foundation

By Jennifer Safara Perry

Infinitely wise beyond his 21 years, Chris Paul, last season’s NBA Rookie of the Year and point guard for the New Orleans Hornets, has a 6’1” frame and a heart beyond measure. A leader both off and on the court, he hasn’t forgotten where he came from and has vowed to take care of his beloved Winston-Salem, North
Carolina community, as they have supported him his entire life.

By now you’ve probably seen the headlines and heard the hype, “Everybody Loves Chris” or “Chris makes those on the court with him look better.” This time you can actually believe the hype and then some. Those who originally doubted CP3 would flourish at Wake Forest University or survive in the NBA have long since converted to believers. Yet life has had its challenges.

Chris reflects,“On November 15, 2002, my life was changed forever when my grandfather was tragically murdered in his own driveway. His name was Nathaniel Jones, but we called him Papa Chilly, and he was so much more than a grandfather. I considered him my best friend. Papa Chilly was a generous man who always
saw the good in people and put others’ needs before his own.”

Philanthropy is important to Chris. Along with his CP3 Foundation, last year Chris was excited to help fund the renovation of the basketball courts at the Rupert Bell Recreation Center in East Winston-Salem, and give out Thanksgiving food baskets and bikes as Christmas gifts to those in need in Oklahoma City. This year he is extending his holiday giving to the Triad and New Orleans. In the spirit and memory of Papa Chilly, Chris recently hosted the inaugural Chris Paul Winston-Salem Weekend, which raised $156,000 for his CP3 Foundation. It was truly a team effort and the hard work paid off.

Say It LOUD! traveled to North Carolina to cover this monumental event which included a community youth forum, gala, youth basketball clinic, celebrity bowling tournament (with professional bowlers and fellow NBA stars including Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, and LeBron James), community church service
and church social. We also had a chance to catch up with the entire Paul family (parents Robin and Charles, big bother CJ) who are instrumental in every aspect of Chris’ life. We’re sure you will be as inspired. Read on and check it for yourself.

SIL: Who are your inspirations?
Chris Paul: Definitely, my parents and of course my grandfather. I think my grandfather gives me so much strength. Whenever my back is to the wall and I feel like I can’t do something, my grandfather comes to my mind and tells me, ‘You never quit up to this point, so why stop now?’
SIL: I understand it was teenagers involved with your grandfather’s tragedy and they were charged as adults. They are now paying the
price for that.
CP: It was five teenagers that murdered my grandfather. They were 14 and 15 years old. The thing was if they would have asked my grandfather for it, he would
have given it to them in a heartbeat. My granddaddy never worked for anybody. He owned the first Black owned service station in North Carolina, he just helped
everybody. People would come by the service station all the time and say, ‘Mr. Jones, I don’t have the money to pay for gas right now, can we come back and pay
you?’ Nine times out of ten people didn’t come back and pay my grandfather, and he didn’t hold a grudge, because he was just all about helping others.
SIL: How did the CP3 Foundation start?
CP: Right after I decided what agent I was going with and the agency, we had a meeting. They asked me if there was anything on my
mind, anything I wanted to do to give back. I told them immediately the first day I wanted to set up a foundation, and I wanted it to benefit my community, the city that raised me.
SIL: How is it maintained?
CP: I have a panel, a counsel which is represented by Skip Brown. He has a bank back home and is a Wake Forest alum. He played basketball at Wake. My high school principal is on the panel, also Mayor Goines, Jeff Lassiter, who is involved with Wake Forest, my brother, mom, dad, and Nick Shaw. They meet once or
twice a month on different things we can do for the foundation.
SIL: What’s your role?
CP: I’m the facilitator. I’m involved with all the decisions that are made. If I’m in town I come to the meetings. My job is to come up with ideas to keep moving forward, doing new things. Just like for “The Weekend” I try to think of different events and people that will make “The Weekend” a success.
SIL: What were the highs and lows of the First Annual Chris Paul Winston-Salem Weekend?
CP: To tell you the truth, I don’t think there were any lows.
SIL: I agree.
CP: The weekend was a success. Everyone who told me they were going to come to support the weekend, they showed up. We had a great time. The bowling event went great. I think the best part of the entire weekend was the church service. I’m just glad that everyone who stuck around tried to stay for the church service
because without God, the whole thing wouldn’t have been possible.
SIL: At the church service you mentioned that Dwyane Wade made it clear of all the events that weekend it was most important to him to attend that.
CP: Yeah, I told DWade that was huge. When everyone called and said what events they could be a part of, D-Wade made it clear that he wanted to be at
the church service. That meant a lot to me to know how he feels spiritually.
SIL: What were some accomplishments for the weekend and the foundation?
CP: I think it did a lot for the city. A lot of those guys who came in had never been to my home town, they now know where Winston-Salem is. They came and made their mark on the city. Just everything for the foundation, monetarily wise, the weekend was a success, but at the same time I think it made more people
aware of it, and that can always help.
SIL: In addition to sending a student from your hometown of Forsyth County to Wake Forest University on a full scholarship, (Nathaniel
Jones Scholarship) what other projects do you see the foundation getting involved with?

CP: Those are things that we’re meeting about and discussing now. With it being our first year, we want to do as much as possible, but at the same time we understand it’s a process.
SIL: You left college early after your sophomore year to go pro. What message do you have for youth that are still in school?
CP: It starts now. Don’t wait until you’re a junior or senior in high school or college to start getting into the books. It starts right then and there. You have to focus and get good grades. Although I left school after two years, I’m in the process now of finishing up my education. I understand that basketball is not going to be
there forever.
SIL: How have you been able to maintain your humility in a league where it sometimes disappears over time? People always have such wonderful things to say about you. What is it that helps you maintain that humble spirit of yours?
CP: I realize that I just play basketball, nothing more nothing less. You can’t take it for granted. God forbid, knock on wood, I could break my leg tomorrow. It would be maybe a few months or so that people talk about it, but I mean I’m just a regular person. You have to enjoy it while you’re in it, but at the same time
you have to remain humble because a lot of times people feel like they’re going by people on their way up, but you’ll see those same people on your way down.
SIL: As far as Hurricane Katrina, you are on a New Orleans squad and said previously, ‘You can rebuild a house, but you can’t replace
people.’ You laid it on the line with that.
CP: That’s one thing about that hurricane. You can rebuild a house, but you can’t replace people. New Orleans won’t be the same unless the people come back. They’re talking about rebuilding different things, but the most important thing is to get the people back in their homes.
SIL: Any final comments for our SIL readers?
CP: God bless and always believe in yourself.
SIL: Thank you. I was honored to be part of your inaugural Chris Paul Winston- Salem Weekend; it was such a spiritual, positive and inspirational event.
CP: No doubt, thank you very much.
For more information on Chris Paul and his CP3
Foundation, or to make a donation visit
www.ChrisPaul3.com.

Divine Bradley: Founder Team Revolution

SIL: What do you remember most about growing up as a teen in New York City?
Divine Bradley: As a teenager, spending most of it in Bed-Stuy, the most I could remember is being the biggest class clown and problem child in the NYC public school system (LOL)…It all stemmed from me not having a creative outlet. I was a graffiti artist, reggae artist, and street con artist selling clothes and
accessories for half price. My canvas, stage and market wasn’t big enough,so I used school as my refuge – which led to me getting into a lot of trouble. I did it all, so I know what today’s teens are doing and know what type of outlet they need.
SIL: Can you tell us about your organization, Team Revolution? What inspired you to create it?
DB: Team Rev, is a youth led community organization that provides self-development programs and community service projects conducive to inspiration, leadership, and education. It is a muse to our community,the waterhole in the desert,and safe space for young people between the ages of 13-23 to think big and
manifest there dreams! I created the organization when I was 17 to provide an environment for our young people to create their future, to stay off the streets,and fight the stigma that our young people can’t start businesses that are socially responsible or that they can be successful social entrepreneurs.
SIL: What are some of the goals that you want to see accomplished through Team Revolution?
DB: I want to see a new lifestyle for our young folks where it’s really cool to give back and it’s possible to make a living off of giving. To see our organization and our powerhouse community centers in communities in NY to LA , as well as globalizing from Kenya to Sydney.
SIL: Where is your organization based and how can teens get involved?
DB: We are currently located in Canarsie, Brooklyn. Young people can visit us at 9002 Flatlands Avenue or on the web at www.teamrevolution.org, but they have to be ready to think big. That’s the standard requirement.
SIL: What programs and events does Team Revolution offer to the youth?
DB: We offer our fellowship academy for individuals interested in becoming social entrepreneurs, program leaders, or organizational leaders with Team Rev.
This is what a members duties are. Or, they can be a part of our financial literacy/bank program, that is a public seminar program that teaches young people
about subjects ranging from credit to banking, from investing to real estate. We want to nourish our socio-economical structure by working with our young people.
SIL: In addition, to Team Revolution what other ventures are you involved with?
DB: I have my own communications business that I created to market my message. I model, as a role model, in magazines from XXL to Slam, to landing a huge campaign with Polo RL GIVE campaign and having commercial spots and magazine ads. I have my own signature T-shirt line with Polo branding my message, “The best way to predict the future, is to create it TM.” This turned into my organization having a connection with Polo. We have our own limited edition shirts and jackets designed by students in our fashion business course. I am a teacher by nature and I am planning a world wide speaking tour with impactful youth organizations to help promote their services and message that are in conjunction with mine – to inspire more youth. I’m involved with other ventures that I have created like Remember Tees, event planning, marketing consultation, and I am writing a few book projects now.
SIL: What advice would you offer to teens and young adults, especially those interested in starting a not-for-profit organization?
DB: “The best way to predict the future, is to create it!” Start with the end in mind and have your self-confidence on high. Be very sure of your work and ideas and give it all you got! You will be the only one to stop you and push you to the limitless top. STAY TUNED! As anoriginal youth member and artists, Divine Bradley will be featured in the anticipated film documentary, The Hip Hop Project, coming to theaters in April 2007.

USHER’s CAMP New Look …an Inside Look

Have you ever wanted to spend a day with a celebrity? Well, imagine spending two weeks with Usher Raymond, himself. I, Chelsea Counts had the opportunity of a life time. Last month, I attended an intense two weeks at Usher’s Camp New Look.

The camp was composed of  Sports, Music and Dance and  was held on the campus of Morris Brown College, in Atlanta, Ga. I attended the Dance component of the camp where I learned Ballet, Swing, Jazz, Broadway, Break Dancing, Krump, Clown, and Hip Hop. There were approximately 6,000 applicants and only 150 campers were selected to attend. Camp New Look attendees were from Chicago, Boston, Michigan, Indiana, Cleveland, New York and Puerto Rico just to name a few. Usher gave us all a warm welcome and shared the mission of Camp New Look. His mission is to educate young people about all aspects of the entertainment and sports industry and he impressed upon us that we as young people can be successful in life in anything that we do. From day one the tone was set to bond and build life long relationships. One of camp traditions was to have a
camp name. My camp name was “Cha Cha,”Usher’s was “Big Brother Almighty.”

At Camp New Look there was a balance between work & fun. We worked hard on our individual crafts by day and had the evenings to be sociable with one another. Surprise guest speakers visited and we never knew who or what to expect each day. Some of the guest speakers included, singer Lyfe Jennings, NBA
basketball player Baron Davis, actor Wesley Jonathan (from the movie “Roll Bounce”), actor C. J. Sanders (from the movie “Ray”), attorney Willie E. Gary and Usher’s brother, James, who is a producer. The excitement kept me on the edge of my seat. The adrenaline was high, always.

Some of the activities we did included a grand tour of JPat Management studios, where Usher’s mother Jonetta Patton works. We had acting sessions and attended film-making and production workshops. We had open-mic night and a day that was dedicated to community service. And I wouldn’t want to forget our daily chores. At the end of the first week of camp, there was a celebrity basketball game, which was also family day. This was a day for Sports, Music and Dance to show off their talents.  Sports played basketball against NBA player Dwight Howard’s basketball campers. Music sang the Star-Spangled Banner, and Dance set it off with their stellar half-time performance.

It was an awesome day! The grand finale of Camp New Look was the awards show which was held on the campus  of Georgia Tech. Family and friends were allowed to attend this star studded event which began with a reception prior to Usher’s arrival. There was a red carpet event where Usher greeted every camper and was interviewed by the media. I was selected to participate in the interviewing process. It was an exhilarating experience. I later learned that I was on two local news stations and in the local newspaper, The Atlanta Journal & Constitution. The awards show was hosted by director, Little X, who was given a camp name of “X Man.” Singer Sammie performed his hit single, “You Should Be My Girl” featuring Sean Paul from the group Youngbloodz. Awards were given to
sponsors of the program, campers who directed the best music video and outstanding counselors. Energetic performances were given by both Music and Dance. It was a day of happiness, sadness, achievement and accomplishment.

I left Camp New Look with the greatest respect for Usher Raymond, as an entertainer and businessman. He is dedicated, humble, and committed to making a difference in the lives of others. This was truly an awesome experience, one that will last a life time.
Peace
“Cha Cha”

PROJECT SOUTH: is Making an Impact on the South

By Chela and Chelsea Counts

We are a group of teens that travel to different parts of the Southeast Region talking to the youth of today and older generations about what is really going on in our communities. Around the world we are known as Project South Youth Council, but down here in Atlanta people recognize us as the youth’s leaders that are always willing to make a change. Many of our friends as well as peers ask, well what exactly is Project South and what’s in it for me? Chelsea and I answer them by simply stating that PSYC is a group of youth leaders ranging from the ages of thirteen to eighteen. We go out to the different communities and talk about certain issues that we face or see that must change. We as a collective group demonstrate visually and orally how a teen can go about handling a certain situation and still leaving with your dignity and pride. Some of the advantages that Project South provides include but are not limited to: traveling around the U.S., meeting new people of different nationalities and races, feeling a sense of accomplishment, and being able to exercise freedom of speech.

Before Chelsea and I became a part of the leadership committee, it was brought to our attention that the teens and youth of today do not ask questions or make it a priority to make sure that their voices are being heard. Project South’s mission is to strengthen leadership, social, and communication skills that will be used and needed to survive in the real world. At Project South we meet in open positive spaces that allow an individual or youth of today to talk about and discuss any situation that they may be facing or going through. Even though the youth and young adults of today are faced with different obstacles and challenges we must also realize that with these obstacles come many new and exciting opportunities.

One of the new and exciting opportunities that was appealing to Chelsea and I to become a part of the leadership committee, was not only that we would be able to make a difference in our communities, but that we would also have the opportunity to travel to the different cities and states across the country. When traveling to these different cities and states, we talk about a variety of issues and focus on social justice for the youth. Many of the topics that we discuss are: knowing your rights, sex and relationships, homophobia, preparing for your future, money management, stereotypes, and knowing your history, just to name a few. When returning from an out of town workshop, we usually come back with new knowledge and a sense of awareness. The cool thing about PSYC is that we have fun in the process.

Learning without being entertained is not cool and in today’s society it is considered to be lame, so we make it a priority to bridge the gap of education and entertainment.  Christi H. Ketchum is Project South’s Youth Program Director and is primarily responsible for the accomplishments made by the leadership
committee. Even though Christi may carry this title, she acts as if each youth leader on the committee does as well. Many people believe that PSYC is strictly run by adults, WRONG!!! We, the youth, must orchestrate every workshop, training or meeting that we host and take full responsibility for everything that we do.

Christi has a deep passion and desire to work with all youth across the country and has a yearning to help anyone in need. When Ketchum was asked: Why exactly
do you love to work with the youth, she stated “when working with the youth there is never a dull moment and I feel as if educating the youth is my personal responsibility and my purpose.”

Ketchum was also asked during her interview about what advice can be given to teens across the United States and she gave these words of wisdom, “Learn your history, and know that you can make a difference, understand that you have a personal responsibility to better your community and contribute to the world that you live in. Education and being in the work force are very essential to life, but you must also improve yourself because you are just as important. Christi has been apart of the youth organization for six years now and plans on contributing many more
years to come.
Our experience with Project South has been rewarding and enlightening. We have gained a sense of awareness that will have a profound impact on our future. Meeting new people both locally and abroad and creating life long relationships is a lot of fun. Chelsea and I would not trade this experience for anything and we are loving life and loving living!!!!!! Peace, Much Love.

Interview with Christi H. Ketchum -Youth Coordinator for PROJECT SOUTH

SIL: What is Project South’s mission, goal and purpose?
Christi Ketchum: Mission: Project South is a leadership development organization based in the Southeast creating positive spaces for teens to come and be able to express themselves. Goal: Our goal is to build relationships with other organizations and networks across the U.S. and global south we want to engage in movement building for social and economic justice. Purpose: Project South’s purpose is to promote leadership development, (mentoring, employment skills, facilitation, and leadership trainings), social engagement (bridging the gap between the youth and their communities, families, churches and schools etc.) and
Dismantling Oppression (getting rid of stereotypes forced on the youth’s generation)
SIL: When was Project South founded and how long have you been a part of the youth organization?
CK: Project South was founded in 1989. I (Christi Ketchum) have been a part of the youth organization for six years which was started in 2001.
SIL: What cities or states has Project South visited and why did you all go?
CK: We have visited- Los Angeles, Montgomery, Nashville, Chattanooga, Washington D.C. , New York, Miami, Florida, New Mexico, Seattle, Chicago, Illinois
We visited these locations for popular educational workshops on a variety of issues focusing on social justice and the youth.
SIL: How do you go about looking for youth leaders each year?
CK: We look for youth leaders at special events and activities that are engaged and interested in developing as a leader and as an individual.
SIL: Yearly, Project South hosts a teen “Youth Day” for all students to come and be apart of. What exactly is being discussed at this two day event, and where is it usually held?
CK: At youth day we hold workshops and discuss various topics that include, but are not limited to engaging workshops that the young people bring forward.

David Banner Gives Back…

By Kesed Ragin

This Mississippi native may get crunk on wax but when it comes to his hometown, education and giving back to his community, the Southern rapper gets serious. David Banner’s Heal The Hood Foundation raised over half a million dollars through hip hop benefit concerts in Atlanta and New York to give to grassroots organizations dedicated to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
SIL: What’s really going on in Mississippi right now?
David Banner: When you look at the actual physical effects of Hurricane Katrina, the eye of the storm actually hit Mississippi, Long Beach, Gulf Port, Biloxi and surrounding areas. I honestly feel like America has turned into a big reality TV show. I guess they don’t feel like the lives of my people in the state that I’m from are important enough to cover. I think that’s why it’s our responsibility to scream and make sure people pay attention. For example, I got with B.E.T and we went to Mississippi ourselves. It was just destruction; I honestly never seen anything like this in my life. Communities were just gone. As far as you can look out, houses were gone. I remember this one house, only the concrete step was left. Everything else was gone; the slab, and the concrete on which the foundation was built upon, all gone, but it is what it is.
SIL: Tell us about Heal The Hood Foundation?
DB: I created my foundation because I realize that people honestly, or America honestly, is not going to do for the hood. Red Cross is not necessarily going to do for the hood. A perfect example is in Biloxi, Mississippi. The Red Cross is set up across the tracks. Old people can’t get across the tracks. The flood waters were seven feet high. So all of the cars were flooded out and people couldn’t travel. Even the young people couldn’t travel that far. It just got to the point where I realized that we are going to have to organize and do for ourselves.
SIL: You actually went to school and are some credits short of a Masters Degree?
DB: I’m a semester and a thesis away from my Masters Degree in Education. I have to teach the youth. That was always my motivation. I always felt like I was going to come into some type of money. Education is one way that we’re kept out of our children’s classroom. They could have classes about rap music in Harvard, but rappers can’t teach it, because they don’t have degrees. However, we know more about hip-hop. We know more about our culture than anyone else does. That paper (a college degree) is one way to keep us out of the classrooms. I had to get that paper as a way to break down those barriers.
SIL: What do you teach?
DB: I teach the hardcore truth to the kids. I always thought it was more important to teach kids the real way of survival, not necessarily what’s in the textbooks. I remember I attended an entrepreneurial class at LSU (Louisiana State University) even though I went to Southern University. At the white
schools they had millionaires and billionaires come in and speak to the class every week. What every billionaire said was, The things they teach you in your business classes are not the things that will help you become a billionaire. They said the things that they teach in some college classes are the things
that will help you maintain my billions of dollars. So, what I realized is that most of the things that they teach you in schools–not the private schools, not the ivy league schools, but the things that they teach you in most public schools–are not the things that are going to help you create businesses and create
minds that provoke the thought processes that are needed to be a trailblazer and to build new communities in America. For the most part, school is designed to conform you. In one of my education classes we learned that when public schools were designed, their real duty was to socialize. To teach people to conform; when the bell rang, jump up, stand in a straight line.  Creativity was stomped out. That’s one of the reasons I don’t agree with the school uniform.
They want all of the kids to be little robots, stand in the same line, with no creativity, no thought process. But a person being an individual inside a large group facility, is what makes people strong Americans.

How to Listen to Music with Talib Kweli and The Harmon Foundation

Summer 2005 - The Harmon Foundation celebrated its 8th season of the How To Listen series, an innovative music education program that encourages youth to appreciate all aspects of music. This year one of hip-hop’s finest MC’s Talib Kweli, was the master teacher with special guest Martin Luther for the program at Gibson Studios in New York City.

One hundred grade school children sat on the floor of a studio with their legs crossed.
Attentively, they listened to soulful singer, Martin Luther as he opened the discussion about how a song is produced. Martin Luther shared an inspiring story about how he started writing church songs at the age of five and how piano lessons lead him to a career in music. He stressed to the young people, that if they are interested in music stick with it.

The youth were delighted when Talib Kweli came on the stage. He explained to them that his background in music is non-traditional, his inspiration to become a hip-hop artist came from writing poetry. For those interested in producing hip-hop music, Talib states his #1 hip-hop rule, “there are no rules, let the music come from your soul. Be original with it, music is about a feeling in the soul.”

Talib introduced the children to the art of sampling. He played the Nina Simone sample that he used for the intro and throughout his hit song “Get By.” When the children first heard Nina Simone’s voice, they giggled, they were not use to hearing a voice as distinct as hers. By the time, they heard the full production the children were surprised at how Nina Simone’s voice turned into something so cool.

To show how much they appreciated Kweli’s work some of the children re-wrote the chorus to “Get By.”
This Morning, I woke up/Feeling brand new, I jumped up/Feeling my highs, and my lows/ In my soul, and my goal’s/ Just to stop cursing, stop hurting/ To stop fighting, and start learning/ To start loving and start caring/ To get by, just to get by/Just to get by, just to get by…

Kweli was so impressed with the re-write that he performed his song with them.

After the presentation Say It LOUD! had a chance to talk to Talib Kweli.

Q: What techniques would give kids on how to listen to music?
A: I would help them explore why they like the songs that they do and why it makes them feel good.
Q: What inspires you to do these types of events?
A: It’s very much in line with my philosophy on music. Music is important in my life and I would want to impart that on these kids.
Q: What has music done for you?
A: It has giving me livelihood. It has provided food for my soul. It makes me feel good and it’s taps into my emotions and makes me express things that I didn’t know I could.
Q: How does music encourage and inspire kids?
A: It encourages them to listen. The best music challenges you physically and emotionally. It challenges you to look at the world in a different way.
Q: Who are your musical influences?
A: My influences musically are very vast. There are certain artists like Nina Simone or like KRS-One who stand out. I’m inspired by anything I ever listened to.
Q: How did it feel to hear the kids re-write your song?
A: That feels great; it feels like I’m doing the right thing in the right place.
Q: Where do you feel you stand in the hip-hop game?
A: I feel like I’m just myself. I rap under my real name. My whole thing has been about trying to get as close as possible to being honest in my music and no one can do me better than I can.
Q: Are you currently working on anything?
A: I’m constantly working on music.
Q: Do you have any upcoming albums?
A: I don’t know how and in what form it will come out, but I’m recording songs.
Q: Which producers do you choose to work with?
A: I work with anybody if it’s hot. Of course I have producers, Hi-Tek, Dave West, and Kanye West who I work with. I don’t have a limit on producers.
Q: What advice would you give to kids who are trying to make it?
A: Do it yourself, never look for the hook-up. Depend on yourself first because no one can do it better than you can. Don’t expect people to have more ambition about what you’re trying to do than you.

This article was written in the summer of 2006. At Press time Talu Green was a student at Long Island University in Brooklyn with a major in Music. Mr. Green is now a professional drummer, dancer and actor who starred in the Off Broadway play FELA!