AFTER THE CHEERING STOPS - SPORTS SUMMIT WALL STREET PROJECT 2015 - PART 1

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Hello All:

As promised, here is another installment from Rev. Jesse Jackson's Rainbow/PUSH Wall Street Project.  This time the focus is on sports and what happens AFTER THE CHEERING STOPS.  

This section, like his HipHop Summit, is packed with so much essential and inspirational information, that I'm dividing it into two parts.  There is way to much information to absorb in one blog, and it would make it waaaay too long, even for me.  This is the beginning of a series of articles and interviews with brothers and sisters in the sports and entertainment realm.  Hope you like it - give me your feedback. 

As I stated previously, Rev. Jackson's Wall Street Summit is the gift that keeps on giving.  The information is vital regardless of whether you're an athlete, wanna be an athlete, have a son, daughter, aunt, uncle, friend or significant other who was/is an athlete.  The great thing about it is that it is so significantly and sufficiently out of the box that we can benefit greatly by doing some research of our own and following some of the information shared by the panelists. 

After the limelight is over, many athletes find themselves in a quandry as to what to do with their lives.  In a great many instances, there has been little if any preparation for financial management, career goals, and transitioning into a "normal" lifestyle.  Some athletes have handled the transition well, while others have unfortunately faced a life of despair, poverty, depression, with some taking a wrong turn to drug abuse and alcoholism.   The members of this panel have been in the throes of working collaboratively and individually to assist former athletic superstars in making pivotal decisions about the next steps in their lives.  The information has not only helped them, but can also be instrumental in helping those of us who never made it to that level plot a track to success as well.  

REV. DR. JOSEPH BRYANT, JR., National Director, Rainbow/PUSH Sports, served as moderator for the ten member panel, that included:  Matt Gutierrez; Rodney Woods, Gerald Rogers, Dion Southern, Dale Davis, Dana London, Carlton Gamberell II, Dr. David E. Martin, Anthony Simmons, LaMarr Woodley.

To the extent possible, the information is going to be primarily from the panelists themselves, with very little editorializing from yours truly - to give you a better sense of the information rich session.  When it becomes necessary for clarification, recommendations or cross referencing, my comments will appear in red -  

So here is Part I of
Sports Industry and Athletes Panel: AFTER THE CHEERING STOPS

DR. JOSEPH BRYANT, JR., National Director, Rainbow/PUSH Sports - MODERATOR:

How the sports industry and athletes have a different spin and a different approach to their place in the economic scheme of things – and how so many of them played a role in doing some amazing things, not only during their playing careers, but after their careers – so today is really a celebration of that and an opportunity for us to hear from these stellar athletes and all the accomplishments that they have been able to achieve.

DR. JOSEPH BRYANT, JR. MODERATOR

In introducing the athletes Dr. Bryant admonished the audience to remember that these are athletes and they're used to hearing the cheers from the crowds – "So I expect you act as if you're in MSG and cheer!

Beginning to my right on the upper level is: Former New England Patriot – Matt Gutierrez;

We have the fantastic and fabulous business man who is the Executive Director of Diversity and Promotions in Playbook Investors Network – Rodney Woods; Marketplace minister co-author of Success on God's Terms, who – also a consultant working with athletes and business - Gerald Rogers;Former NFL Player and Standout with the USC Trojans, now international network marketer, Dion Southern; Former NBA giant who still looks like he could take it to the hole is – has now carved a new path and trailblazed businesses for retired athletes – Dale Davis; The one lone female – blossom and shining star of the panel who is a consultant, life coach and adviser for pro-athletes in retirement and transition – who has had an experience working with teams around this Metroplex, including the former NJ Nets and now a part of many of the NFL initiatives and women's issues Dana London;  to her left Professional success coach, co-author of Success on God's Terms, Carlton Gambrell,II; Amazing genius of a business man founding chairman of M-CAM Corporation Dr. David E. Martin; Current NFL all-pro defensive genius, maximizing his gifts, not only on the field but off the field, he's still playing while the cheering is going on LaMarr Woodley; Former NFL player with the San Diego Chargers, president and founder of Pro Athlete Business Groups, Anthony Simmons.

From a business perspective, let me just allow the platform to be set here today. It's important that we hear these voices. This is a very unique group and a very unique mindset.

ANTHONY SIMMONS, founder of the Pro-Athletes Business Group: talked about what he's doing – how he created the group he has; and how athletes are being given opportunities and the deal making opportunities he provides for the athletes after the cheering stops:

ANTHONY SIMMONS

I was a former player with the Seattle Seahawks and the New Orleans Saint,  and played seven years in the league; and what happened was there are a lot of things that go on with a professional athlete – the percentage may be a little higher or a little lower, but it's there.  I started a company called Pro Athlete Business Group to give back and empower and educate professional athletes. We started with just twelve (12) guys in one room, back in 2009."   His business has grown to over 300 professional athletes in the room who want to come and listen to the different opportunities for them and their families. Because the athletes are – someone can ask them to a golf outing unless he's taking care of them - “what we do is we fly all our athletes in to the event; and the athletes who come to our event have to bring a significant other to the event so we can make it a family environment. We bring in 25 different companies to exhibit and present to these professional athletes. Within the last two years we've opened our doors up to NBA, Track and field, WNBA, even actors and entertainers – giving them opportunities. Those actors and entertainers are in the same boat as athletes, because they could stop making a record, they could stop making a movie and where their money is coming from – it's no longer going to come in. Of course, as athletes, we think we're going to play forever. I became a part of the environment my first year in the league – I spent every dime that I had my first year in the league. 

Back when I played they were making hundreds of dollars, now they're making millions of dollars. So people look at that and think well that wasn't a whole lot of money. Yes it was. My first year in the league, when I spent all the money, I had to go to a coach; because I went to my agent and asked him could I borrow $7,000 so I could make it for two months before I went to camp – not knowing if I'm going to make the team the next year – I was being considered, but I could have been traded to another team, injured, or not made the cut; or if I would make it to play the few years that I played. Well my agent didn't want to loan me the money, so he didn't believe in me; so naturally you know what I did – I fired him. So I went to my coach to ask the unthinkable of giving a player a loan so that he could make it to the next season. Well, I borrowed that $7000 from that coach; he rode my ass like white on rice in camp to make sure I made that team. Which I did - legitimately, I did make the team because I was hungry, you know I wanted to play. No matter how big, how strong I was, it's always going to set in a fact where a player can not make the team the next year. So, I was one of the fortunate ones. So at my event we bring in speakers, we bring in guys to encourage the guys, to empower them, to help them out in life after the game."

MODERATOR DR. JOSEPH BRYANT, JR.:   DION SOUTHERN you had a couple of years to play and then you decided to go back and take advantage of the educational opportunities that were afforded you for college – tell me a little about that, and then how you began to think about your future and maximize your college experience so that you could get on a good path after the game. 

DION SOUTHERN:   “Well, coming out – transitioning out – I changed majors at USC.   I started out in engineering and figured, hey, I can do this but I won't be happy. So I winded up transitioning to business. I went to summer school and different things, but, after I came out I still had a couple of classes left - knowing that NFL stands for “Not For Long” - I knew I was going to have to figure something out; so I made sure that I basically picked up those courses in off season. 

DION SOUTHERN

Then, coming out, I looked at my career and things that happened my second year; getting cut my first year, and brought back. You know that really woke me up right way. So the second year, when I transitioned into the new team, some different things happened – was supposed to come into camp, the player personnel changed on me – there are so many things that can happen regarding your success. It's not about talent alone. It's so many different variables - And I actually was working for a car dealership and a gentleman who was kind of a “supporter” of USC – basically, I went back to him and said 'hey Bob, I need something to do. Can I sell some cars while if figure this out?' So I was able to do that for a little while; and realized that I needed to do something. At the same time, I was trying out for other teams and wound up pulling my hamstring running through a try out. And I said, I'm done. I'm not going to be with those guys trying to make the team and getting older. But fortunately, my Mom was an entrepreneur, so I'd grown up in business. She had a beauty salon; hair salon. So I had the entrepreneurial spirit in me. I knew all along that I wanted to start a business. My goal was to spend enough time in the NFL to do that. But throughout the course, as you say – you get tired, or you spend all your money just trying to survive and living and working in the off seasons. So going back and finishing my degree was very key. It allowed me to not necessarily utilize it – because I wanted to be a stock broker, but when I went in that direction, I actually got exposed to the industry called network marketing. When I saw average individuals making above average income in this industry. I said 'hold on, I can do that.' So while I was actually working with my mom and helping her in her business, I began on the path of network marketing and distribution and got engrossed in that. And it grew; made a career out of that and actually ended up going on with that. It's all about relationships. Understand the power of relationships. Where ever you are – in school, out of school – on your current job – build relationships; and you never know where people are going to be five yeen ars, tyears from now. And they may have an opportunity related to you because there really in network marketing it was the relationships that I had and people came back to me and brought me opportunity – because of our relationships, because of the integrity that you displayed in your relationship with other people – they want to do business with me. That's the main thing right there – relationships and being in business with me; and identifying opportunities.

MODERATOR DR. JOSEPH BRYANT, JR.:   LaMARR – you're still playing, you're still in the locker room – you're still going out and maximizing your youth, your energy and your talent on the field. And yet you've taken the time to create all of these areas. Organizations that are doing so many great things – you have youth program and different things that you've already created – and yet you still playing the game. What motivated you to start so early to begin investing your energy and to allow yourself to develop businesses that are going to help people and help your community the way you are?

LaMARR WOODLEY:  I went to the University of Michigan and there was a guy named Clarence Ward(?) and he said one thing you've got to do is that you've got to take advantage while you're hot. Use your resources – take advantage while you're hot. 

 

LaMARR WOODLEY

 Because when you're hot, people want to talk to you. People want to have conversations with you. So that's what I did while I was in the limelight, I took advantage of it. And if you get to know me I'm a likeable guy, I'll talk to anybody – so I was just taking advantage of making friends. It started back in college for me when I was being able to start building relationships; and able to give back to the community, and I felt like we need to keep it in the community – so we started a golf outing called Heroes for Kids when I was a sophomore in college we found a way for me and another guy who was in Michigan State to put our name on it and to raise money. We did that for five years raised $350,000. I always went back and spent my time studying because I knew a lot of people were depending on me, looking up to me as an athlete. And I knew they watched me everything I did, I worked nearby. I went back to the high school. I talked to the kids in school because I felt like other people who came from our school should have come back to do that when I was there. So I said when I make it to that I would come back and spread the word. It's not going to be a secret how to make it and get to the next level, where it's academics. Once I got to the pros, it really opened doors then because I had some real money in my pocket and could begin to do some major stuff.- I could really go back and do some things that I wanted to do in my community. So I started my LaMarr Woodley Foundation; I did my football camps at school, I did all sorts of things where it wasn't about the attention, it was because I just liked helping the kids. And I don't anybody to pat me on the back – because I do it from the bottom of my heart. So that is what really got me started. And my wife got her degree hanging in the house, so I said I got to get my degree. I got tired of walking past hers and the kids see it, so I was little jealous! So I said I was going to go up one on her – I start school next week and get my masters in sports confidence (?) and minor in sports management. And I'm a huge basketball fan . I've had my own AAU basketball team for three years. Sounds kind of odd a football player with an AAU team. We have a member who played for the Golden State Warriors - he's from the same home town. I've been knowing the kid since he was three years old and we got together and a started a program. I'm always trying to come back and feel ideas of how to give back and give. And even some times if it was just my dollars that were needed – because I could just be sitting home saying we can do that! And we go out there and work with them because I feel like it's important for the community. I'm starting an event called The First Impression – the first impression is a back to school event where we give three hundred kids 150 haircuts for boys and 150 manicures for girls; and give away book bags, school supplies and things like that. First Impressions is like you want to feel good, and haircuts now cost you around $20 to $25; and we know a lot of parents can't afford that. We have a sign up sheet, but even if they show up the day of the deadline, we'll get you a haircut. Just so kids can have their good with them the first day of school and having them going back; because I remember when I went to school, I had to ask a girl could I borrow a piece of paper. She would look at me like I was crazy. And I'm like wow. So that is some of the things that we do; my PR agency helps out and they're the engine behind the whole thing, I'm just the face that comes up with a few ideas. , Byron Long, was a founding member of the team in 1927.

MODERATOR DR. JOSEPH BRYANT, JR.:  I want to thank you all for the heart behind – we thank you for that – it's admirable.   DANA you've been working with athletes for several years, and listening to LaMarr talk about being an active player and willing to give back, wanting to start companies, foundations, doing the community work he's doing, and going back to school – is that a story that you hear about? And if not, how are you guiding the athletes to begin to think a lot more down the playing field than they have.

DANA LONDON: Well, 22 years ago I started an organization called Transition Teams. And my background was that of a stock broker, and sold insurance, and doing financial planning for professional athletes and their families. 

DANA LONDON

What I discovered was that I was getting more questions about 'what do you think about this?' 'how can I do that?' And so I realized that there was a real need for those guys to figure out going back to the real world, what comes next. And, so in addition to addressing issues as they relate to women, I addressed the issues as they relate to the NFL, the NBA, Boxing, WWE. I've had an opportunity to work with athletes on various topics. And I do come across the foundation needs and the programs; and I've had plenty players who come to my program, and whether or not they were fully prepared to do what I needed them to do to go back to school. Their wives have taken part too. You know, it doesn't matter, because it's the raising of the entire family. Now my grandfather happened to have been one of the original Harlem Globetrotters.  {Byron Long, was a founding member of the team in 1927}.     So my family's connections support entertainment – it's coming up on 90 years – but that's just what I've seen. I don't think as a society we look at the needs of the athletes as men. And, as a woman people are always asking me 'you're a woman, what do you know about this?' The difference is that I know sports. I'm my father's fourth son – that thankfully looks like this -but it's a matter of being aware as a woman, as a mother. How would I want my son to grow up? As a woman, what kind of a mate would I want for my daughter or myself. That sort of thing, so you know you know these things. And, most of the time the men talk to their mothers and their sisters and their girlfriends and their wives. So I have seen it where society have agreed to bring in the guys; the guys want to talk to me, you know, because it's something that they're used to – they're from single parent homes, and that sort of thing. So it's non threatening. And that's where the woman aspect doesn't get acknowledged as much as it should, you know. Because it's not just as it relates to the women around; it's the women of influence in their lives. So if you know what you're talking about, you can encourage them to go back to school, and what comes next; and stop spending their money to where they're not broke after the year or two years are up. So, I've seen it a lot in 22 years.  {Of course you know I couldn't end this without saying that Ms. Dana London is a member of DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INC.}

MODERATOR DR. JOSEPH BRYANT, JR.:  Carlton tell how you've transitioned so well to being successful in the businesses you are seeking to do and have done, and more to come.

CARLTON GAMBRELL: Transitioning was a big key for me. I had an opportunity - I saw a lot, experienced a lot and developed a company while I was still playing, which was Pro Player Holdings. Pro Player Holdings is built for athletes and entertainers in all aspects of their careers, during post-, pre-, current- - whatever you have. In a nutshell the formula for me, we started at the financial realm. 

CARLTON GAMBRELL II

We tried to put together a bank; a sports entertainment network like in the early 2000 and they got wiped out by the train of the bank in New Orleans and we're bigger than – and we had to have some type of financial power and finance. Our whole concept of – because if you look back – we're kind of like product for the industry. But we don't control the product or the distribution. And how can we connect those dots? From an athlete, playing as a kid who wants to buy my shoes or buy product, and why can't we take that concept and put it into some more meaningful that can trickle back to the communities. So during that process we were fortunate enough to withstand the real estate era, which banks, at that time, were not too friendly to anybody. We were fortunate enough to be able to develop some technologies – one in the mobile stage which actually gives everyone a second chance to have a bank account, and they integrate them to any cell phone or any banking system in the world. So that's a new product that we did specifically for the under banked market. And how it ties into the whole sports world is, if you look at what's going on in the social network – Tweeting, Facebook – we're doing that as people are following us as athletes and entertainers. We're doing that pretty much without compensation. So how can you now monetize that whole social network platform, if it's specifically done with customers that use those specific products based on celebrities – and it opens up a whole 'nother world to be able to now circulate those funds back to where they need to go. So doing that journey of transition – it wasn't easy, sometimes you get knocked down and you get back up and try again to connect the dots which forced athletes to look at its social organizations and that's the one way where we'll make true change and that's what we've done thus far.

MODERATOR DR. JOSEPH BRYANT, JR.:    RODNEY WOOD has been a part of some experiences – especially in the past few years – where you've worked with athletes on multiple levels. A lot of what we're talking about you've already experienced. You are very familiar with. And yet you decided a course and you have created investment opportunities. Tell us a little about the ventures that you've the athletes that you've helped guide and do some of the things we've talked about toward their path to financial security as they go into their future.

RODNEY WOOD: – I'm also a former athlete myself. I didn't get a chance to play too long I got hurt, and almost had to have a knee replacement, coming into the Mavericks. Got into law enforcement – got with the P.I, did some incredible things there, which people like to (Imitates a private investigator and the audience breaks up into laughter) Pop! Pop! Pop! I'm looking atcha boy! I'm looking atcha!!” 

RODNEY WOOD

 But you know working with a lot of athletes, and my business partner David Martin, who you will undoubtedly hear from later. We wanted to make a big change – and we said, well how do we make this big change? And how do we build something? Because we're always talking about we got access to capital, and we've got this, we got that, but you know we're cool in the room with the guys with capital, who got to the next level can get capital. So we had to build a platform, so we built a platform, it's a wealth based platform basically to help every minority, every woman owned business – everything in getting access to capital. So, one you've got to teach, you've got to educate. And in order to educate sometimes you've got to put it in front of you so you can see how it actually operates. How you actually get to the next level. Because, you know, if somebody gives you capital, everybody wants to know how are you going to get my return? So you need a business plan, you need a succession plan; you need a key amount of insurance, you need auto financials. You need those things to get to the next level. But then the next hurdle was how do we educate my peers, other athletes and entertainers in how to transition into that space to be able to utilize liquid assets while you still have it, and not lose it? The third step after that was, how do you get people with money, a lot of money, who have a lot of capital they can invest in this, to understand what that ROI is? So now we built up a bankers' pool, with forty bankers on my platform; we've got over ten thousand investors at fifty million and above that are from the institutional side. Not the credit side, where you can go in and lose all your money, but we make sure that we educate you in this platform on how it works. And the program's called Playbook Investors Network www,playbookinvestorsnetwork.com, What we want to be able to transition – we want to be able to own things. How do you own something? You can't own anything if you don't have the capital. If you don't have the skill sets. To have the right people in your company to get you to the next level. So you got to have the type of things in order to get you to create jobs in your own community. Own the shoe that you actually wear. Let's not just own the shoe, how about we manufacture the shoe in the United States? Or you partner with a company in the international market. So we're doing our own things to be able to turn the landscape around, so that it is about not just the athlete, but it's about the business community and people who are buying your goods and services that you see everyday; it;s all about that, so we're very exclusive in what we do on that end. So I'll let David take it over a little later from here. 

This ends part one - there's a lot of information in this initial section, with much more to come in Part 2 - If you got anything positive, constructive, instructive out of it, please let me know - I'm on FaceBook, or you can email me gloriadulanwilson@gmail.com - make sure you indicate AFTER THE CHEERING STOPS in the subject line. 
 As I indicated before, this is the beginning of a series of articles and interviews with brothers and sisters in the sports and entertainment realm.  Hope you like it - give me your feedback.

Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria

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EVENT ALERT: PUMA PRESENTS EXCLUSIVE RE-LAUNCH OF WALT “CLYDE” FRAZIER SNEAKER AT “40Z & WAFFLES” BRUNCH DURING NBA ALL-STAR WEEKEND

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Hello All:

 Well the caption pretty much tells the whole story!  NBA All-Star Weekend is back in New York City for the first time in 17 years!  And NYC is going all out to make this one of the momentous, monumental week ends ever!  And of course, New York never, ever does anything small!  

So when I tell you that the upcoming 40z & Waffles Brunch event during NBA All-Star Weekend is gonna be HUGE (as in Donald Trump "Huge") - believe it!!!

This VIP event will be held on Saturday, February 14^th, 2015 at 404 NYC and will feature  a special re-launch of the Puma “Clyde” sneaker on behalf of NBA Hall of Famer Walt “Clyde” Frazier!!   The Day Party will run from 1:00 PM til 8:PM

WALT "CLYDE" FRAZIER AT MSG

Guests will get to experience a star studded day party with a chance to win two tickets to the official NBA All-Star Game by trying their luck at the indoor basketball court.

40Z

The most talked about day party of NBA All-Star Weekend 2015, “40z & Waffles”, is bringing West Coast style to the East Coast as the event makes its debut in New York City. Presenting sponsor, PUMA is making the All-Star Event home for its long awaited re-launch of The Walt “Clyde” Frazier PUMAs. Frazier is slated to sign the gold sneakers that will be given to VIPs and Celebs as a collector’s item.

CLYDE FRAZIER AND PUMA PERFECT TOGETHER

Frazier, who won MVP in the 1975 NBA All-Star Game, has been a spokesperson for PUMA for 40 + years.  And the quality and popularity of the brand has grown exponentially since then.  

WALT FRAZIER RECEIVING THE 1975 NBA ALL-STARS TROPHY

 Guests will partake in brunch designed by Celebrity Chef Jerome Brown, inclusive of red velvet waffles drizzled with a D’USSE Cognac infused syrup.   “40z & Waffles” is a Sunday Funday brunch series that originated in Los Angeles in June 2014. The brunch series oozes of good vibes, live music, delicious cuisine and tasty drinks that range from mimosas to 40 ounce beers. Past attendees include Justin Bieber, Kevin Durant, Joe Johnson, Paloma Ford, Justin Combs, Don Benjamin, and Kid Red

CELEBRITY CHEF JEROME "ROME" BROWN

 Attendees will be treated to live music from Justin Bieber’s tour DJ Tay James, as well as enjoy an indoor basketball shooting contest for a chance win two tickets to the NBA All-Star Game.

DJ TAY JAMES

Additionally, the event will include Cricket Wireless charging station; All-Star themed photo booths; specialty cocktails by D’USSE` Cognac - Jay-Z's cognac of choice; VIP pop-up lounge hosted by AKOO (TI's signature clothing line- AKOO literally stands for A King of Oneself), views of a luxurious Rolls Royce showcased by celebrity owned Prestige Leasing & Finance, and alcohol infused donuts by Queen's  own Sweet Dreams Mini Donuts for dessert (founded by master "donutologist" Todd Jones.  These donuts are breaking the flavor barrier and boldly going where no donut ever dared to before.  

YUMMMM....

Celebrities expected to attend include: YG (Def Jam Artist), DJ Mustard (Producer), KeKe Palmer (Actress), Terrance Jenkins (E! News Correspondent), Bomani Jones (ESPN Anchor), Vashtie (Celebrity DJ), Yes Julz (Socialite), Walt “Clyde” Frazier (NBA Hall of Famer) and many more. 

TERRENCE JENKINS E! NEWS

DJ MUSTARD

KEKE PALMER ACTRESS

The Outspoken BOMANI JONES of ESPN

.

YES JULZ - PARTY PLANNER

DJ/MODEL VASHTIE

Tix available via www.40zandwaffles.com

 

 

              

Now you know I couldn't close this blog without some sort of tie-in to the significance this has to history - especially our history.  And each and everyone mentioned or pictured here has had an impact on Contemporary Black History.  We are each, in fact, all history makers in our own right.  

But Frazier's NBA MVP, along with leading the NY Knicks to two championships stands to this day!  
Chef Jerome Brown is a self taught chef, having never formally attended culinary school; but his food and recipes are sought after by athletes, celebrities and political figures.  
Keke Palmer is the first African American woman to portray Cinderella on Broadway, and has her own talk show on BET.  
AKOO, the ground breaking clothing design company founded by rapper, actor, producer TI is breaking records in sales, nationally and internationally.  
Todd Jones had worked for Duncan Donuts for 25 years before breaking out into his own business with the Sweet Dreams Mini Donuts - and they're becoming a household favorite.  
Vashtie is not only a DJ, but a writer and a model - kind of a triple threat.  
Yes Julz overcame a dysfunctional home situation, and now uses her skills in marketing to get celebrities to help others through parties and volunteering.  
Bomani Jones early on cited issues surrounding former basketball franchise owner Sterling - and definitely does not bite his tongue on issues sports related or not. I could go on, but you know where I'm coming from.  

The event is primo New York from beginning to end.  And I can't wait to see those Gold Clyde Puma Sneakers.  I have a feeling they're going to be awesome!

Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK 
Gloria 

www.gloriadulanwilson.blogspot.com/ECLECTICALLY BLACK NEWS





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By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Hello All:

I don't know if I've told you this, but I'm a great fan of the New York Knicks - they're my team, do or die - and I'm a fan, though by no means an expert,  of basketball in general - have been for years.  I have always thought that, out of all the sports, basketball players are probably the most highly educated because of their college education and background.  And over the years have continued to maintain that opinion - so, even when they clowned around, or said things in jest, I knew that they were just kidding, or were pulling your leg.

 

FORMER 76ER TNT HOST CHARLES BARKLEY

I even had that high minded opinion about former Philadelphia 76er Charles Barkley - that is, until he made disparaging remarks about the people in Ferguson.  I was both appalled and embarrassed for him.  I remember Minister Louis Farrakhan speaking of how easy it was for a Black person, whose livelihood relied on fame and the white meanstream acceptance of them, to be "whited out" - i.e. to lose contact with the reality of the plight of their own Black people.  They are surrounded by whites, their money comes through whites. At the level they are living, where they are so rich they only have to see their own people on rare occasions, or interact with them under very bizarre circumstances - because the rank and file Black person can't even afford to frequent the venues they consider their regular habitats; reality of the Black community becomes a blur to them.  There is little to no relationship with, or cognizance of, what the average Black person is going through on a daily basis.

 

THE HONORABLE MINISTER LOUIS FARRAKHAN

Add to that the fact that Barkley loves to shock people with his opinions anyway, and loves the idea of having them try to dissuade him, and you have a situation where most people just expect him to open his mouth and come out with something off the wall anyway.  

But there is a point when even he should have drawn the line.  When the Black people in Ferguson rebelled after the disgraceful, racist acquittal of the white officer who shot an unarmed teen, Michael Brown, in cold blood, Barkley harshly criticized and condemned them.  Rather than understand the angst of the people who had, for far too long, been denied justice, from this stand point of being "whited out,"  Charles Barkley made his ignorant, insipid, insensitive and hurtful remarks.  No doubt he had heard something similar to this from the "benign" whites with whom he interacts, and it seemed "reasonable to him to agree with them.  Or, maybe he was just being "controversial."   However, this is neither the time, nor the place for that level of ignorance.

His obtuse statements  prompted an open letter from his TNT co-anchor, Kenny Smith, who was Black enough and man enough to try and wake the brother up. But, apparently that didn't have the desired effect, because later Barkley made an even more seriously insipid remark, one that clearly shows that he has absolutely no clue about who he is, who his people are, his history as a Black man, or the history of Black people in general.  When he stated that Black people were always bringing up slavery when things got tough, and that slavery wasn't as bad as they say it was, I personally thought, "with all that money this brother is making, you'd think he'd at least buy a clue."  When the United Negro College Fund came out with the slogan: "A mind is a terrible thing to waste," I don't think even they knew the depths to which this statement is true.  

What added insult to injury is that Barkley is originally from Alabama - which, next to "Mississippi Goddamn," was one of the most blatantly racist, dangerous for Black people, former slave bastions, lynch capital centers of the US.  To have even formed his lips to make that statement shows a complete lack of consciousness about how what he says has an impact across the board - racist whites loved what he said; he is their new "tom;"  Black civil rights and community leaders were pissed, appalled and disappointed.  

In the final analysis, whether he likes it or not, he is still a role model - but at this point, not a very good one. 

Frankly, Barkley needs to apologize to his own people for minimizing all the horrors we have come through as a people - not to mention his own Alabaman ancestors, who no doubt went through hell long before he made it big in basketball.  

Then, he needs to either enroll in a Black history class or two; hire a Black Black History teacher to come and teach him Black history; read some of the books on Black history by Black historians - i.e., go back to school and finish that last year of education he didn't get prior to becoming an NBA draft pick.   Read Dr. Joy DeGruy Leary's book, Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome; or Michelle Alexanders' The New Jim Crow; or Up From Slavery - Booker T. Washington; Lerone Bennett, who was the official historian for Ebony Magazine, has several books out; or Black Historian John Hope Franklin's great body or works; or Frederick Douglass' "My Bondage and My Freedom.  

And also, take some time to go into some of the Black communities, sit down and talk with some of the Black men and women who are still suffering and live this tragedy every day of their lives.  

I wish that we were much farther along as a people in this country so that these horrors that were routinely visited upon us as a people would be a thing of the past - but that's not what's happening now.  And we need all of us to be cognizant of what's going on.  I'm not saying that he has to be a demonstrator, or a marcher, but he at least has to know and understand that there is no place on this planet at this point where Black people are doing well; and that if Black people don't stand together, the egregious acts of violence will continue to be the rule, not the exception.  

And, if Mr. Barkley doesn't want to get involved - because that is his right - then the best role model he can be is to keep his mouth shut.  But knowing that he has a penchant for controversy, and that in the end we still love him like a brother, somebody please at least give him a copy of Carter G. Woodson's "MIS-EDUCATION OF THE NEGRO" it just might make a difference - one can only hope - GDW 

Below is the reprint in its entirety of the letter to "Sir Charles" from Senator Hank Sanders - after you read it, share it with your children, friends and others who may likewise be laboring under the illusion that "slavery wasn't so bad."

Alabama Senator Teaches Charles Barkley How Bad Slavery Was In Epic Open Letter

ALABAMA SENATOR HANK SANDERS

POSTED BY : Stephen D Foster Jr December 26, 2014 4:30 pm

 

"Earlier this month, Charles Barkley referred to Ferguson protesters as “scumbags” who “aren’t real black people.” After being called out for his offensive remarks by TNT colleague Kenny Smith in an open letter, the pair confronted each other during an episode of “NBA on TNT.” That’s when Barkley made an asinine statement about slavery.
“I don’t think anytime anything bad that happens in the black community we have to talk about slavery,” Barkley said. “Listen, slavery is, uh, well, I shouldn’t say one of the worst things ever, because I don’t know anything about it other than what I read or what my grandmother told me.”
According to Barkley, slavery wasn’t so bad. It’s a statement that many white supremacists are probably pinning to bulletin boards in glee. But Alabama Senator Hank Sanders was deeply hurt by what Barkley said, and composed an epic open letter to teach Sir Charles just how bad slavery was and how it still affects us today."

Here’s is the full letter as published by AL.com:

"Dear Mr. Barkley:

I write you out of love. I write you out of profound pain. I write you out of deep concern. I hope you accept this letter in the spirit that I write.
Mr. Barkley, I understand that you said, in so many words, that slavery was not so bad and that you were tired of people bringing up slavery. I was shocked by both statements. Then I was mad. Then I was terribly disappointed. Finally, I was just in deep hurt and great pain. Now, I am trying to help you and all those who may think like you.
Mr. Barkley, allow me to tell you why slavery was “not so bad,” but very, very bad. First, African people were snatched from their families, their villages, their communities, their tribes, their continent, their freedom. African people were made to walk hundreds of miles in chains. They were often beaten, poorly fed and abused in many ways. Women and girls were routinely raped. The whole continent was ravaged and still suffers to this day. Mr. Barkley, this is very, very bad.
Second, African people were placed in “slave dungeons” for weeks and sometimes months until the slave ships came. They were often underfed, terribly beaten, raped and stuffed together so tightly they could hardly move. African people were packed in the holds of ships with little space to even move. They performed bodily functions where they lay and then lived in it. They were oftentimes beaten, raped and abused mentally, physically and emotionally. Many died from disease and broken spirits. Some were so terribly impacted that they jumped overboard and drowned when brought to the deck of the ships. Millions died during the Middle Passage from Africa to the Americas. Mr. Barkley, this is very, very bad.
Third, African people were broken like wild animals. They were stripped of every element of their identity. Their names were taken. Their languages were taken. Their religions were taken. Their histories were taken. They were forbidden to have family. They had no rights to own anything. They were considered property. Their personalities were permanently altered. Their freedom was taken. They became chattel sold from “slave blocks.” This crushing of identity impacts us to this day. I call it the psychology of the oppressed. Mr. Barkley, this is very, very bad.
Fourth, African Americans were worked from “kin to can’t;” that is from “can see” in the morning to “can’t see” at night. There was no pay for their long, hard labor. Many were poorly fed. Most felt the lash of the whip. All felt the lash of the tongue. Many were repeatedly raped. Their children and other loved ones were sold at will. Some mothers killed their baby girls so they would not have to endure the ravages of slavery. Mr. Barkley, this is very, very bad.
Fifth, African Americans had no right to defend themselves no matter what was done and how wrong it was. By law, they could not even testify against their abusers. As U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger B. Toney said in the 1857 Dred Scott case, “A Black man has no rights a White man is bound to respect.” This became the law of the land and its legacy bedevils us to this day. Mr. Barkley, this is very, very bad.
Sixth, African Americans were perceived and treated as sub human. The only way enslavers could square this terrible treatment with their Christian beliefs was see us as less than human. Therefore, they could proudly place such beautiful words in the Declaration of Independence and the U. S. Constitution with impunity: i.e. – “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” To them, African Americans were not human so these beautiful words did not apply. Even the U.S. Constitution designated us as 3/5 of a person. That’s why White terrorists, in and out of uniforms, can kill us without punishment. The legacy of being less human lingers with us today. Black lives are worth much less than White lives. Mr. Barkley, this is very, very bad.
Seventh, it required great violence to implement and maintain the worse form of human slavery known to humankind. It required unbridled violence by enslavers, slave catchers, local, state, federal governments and the entire society. Maintaining the institution of slavery created a very violent society that infests us to this day. That’s why the United States has far more violence than any country in the world. Mr. Barkley, this is very, very bad.
Eighth, even after slavery formerly ended, we still had Jim Crow. These same imbedded attitudes generated state-sanctioned terrorism for nearly another 100 years. The Ku Klux Klan and other terrorist groups hanged, mutilated, maimed and murdered without any punishment. It was state sanctioned terrorism because the “state” did not do anything to prevent it. That’s why even during the Civil Rights Movement murders took many years before even a modicum of justice was forged. Just look at the deaths of Medgar Evers, James Chaney, the three little girls murdered by the bombing of a Birmingham Church and so many others. That is why today Trayvon Martin could not walk the streets of his neighborhood and Jordan Davis could not play loud music in his car and Eric Garner was choked to death and Michael Brown was gunned down. Mr. Barkley this is very, very bad.
Mr. Barkley, if you knew your history, you would not say slavery is not so bad and you are tired of people bringing up slavery. The legacy of slavery is everywhere. However, you are not totally to blame because you were deliberately denied the opportunity to learn your history. That is one more legacy of slavery. I hope you will seek the full history for yourself so that you will not ever say such things again.
In deep concern,
Hank Sanders"

"For some reason, the media gravitates toward Charles Barkley to seek his comments on social and political issues that he clearly knows nothing about. He’s a jock, not a historian. His only expertise is basketball and awkward golf swings. Clearly, if he had pursued academic achievement instead of spending hours putting a ball through a hoop, he would know that slavery is indeed, one of the worst travesties in world history. But like a lot of jocks, Barkley no longer has to study hard to find out how evil slavery was. All he has to do is read the open letter written to him by the smart person in the class. - STEPHEN FOSTER

Again, I strongly recommend that you share this letter with your children and grandchildren; students in your classes, neighbors' kids, etc.  Not because of any need to embarrass Charles Barkley, but because Hank Sanders explains in a nutshell the horrors Black people have historically endured for more than 400 years.  It's a brief lesson in Black History, which will give them a context for a more in depth study and understanding.  

NOW THAT YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT? 

Stay Blessed & 
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria 

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Walt "Clyde" Frazier Teams with HHC to Defeat Diabetes: "I Believe In Winning!"

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

WALT "CLYDE" FRAZIER

  

Hello All:

I'm starting off this Monday with health, happiness and blessings on my mind, and came across this piece from the Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) of NYC.  And it struck me as an appropriate way to begin the day. 

As many of you know, my Mom, Ruby Love Dulan, passed on April 14 at the age of 91.  She was a beautiful, spirited woman to the end. 

What you may not know is that she battled diabetes and kidney problems for the last third of her life - and when I say battled, I mean BATTLED!  The onset of diabetes occurred subsequent to the passing of my father - they had been married for 47 years, and had been an active, happy couple.  I think a form of melancholia set in, and Mom just didn't get up, get out, and do like she used to.  The upshot of that, a year or so later, according to her physician, was the diagnoses of diabetes.  

Now I'm not saying that melancholia is the cause of diabetes.  What I am saying is that, plus debilitating inertia, and of course snacking on all that wonderful food my Mom used to prepare for Dad and the rest of the family, combined to produce this horrific disease.  

The first thing I did when I learned of the diagnoses, was do my usual research into which herbs, vitamins and protocols she needed to take to help her defeat this.  However, the combination of the kidney problem was something we were not prepared for.  My brother, Syl, who remained home in Oklahoma City, and became her primary caregiver. 

However, this is where the story changes drastically.  Instead of a person who was confined to the house, or who continued to deteriorate, my Mom Ruby Love, met the challenge head on.  She began to learn everything she needed to know about diabetes, diet, sugar levels - whether or not it was insulin dependent, etc. She literally rolled her sleeves up and decided, at the age of 67, that she wasn't going out like that.  She wasn't losing any limbs, or sight, or other functions.  My mom had always been a fighter and a winner.  She changed her diet, her routine, her attitude.

And though she had some setbacks, she made it to age 91! - with my brother's help, great doctors, a lot of prayers on the part of my sister Brenda and myself.  She was up, walking, talking, meditating, feeding the birds, traveling (she drove until she was 85!!)

There was an episode when the doctors treating her for diabetes, and the doctors treating for the kidney failure gave her conflicting medications, which caused her to swell up, and freaked my brother out, because he thought Mom was going to die.  I called the hospital from NYC, spoke with the doctors, and threatened to sue them if they didn't get their acts together and work in synch with each other.  The problem never happened again.  (Sometimes you have to put your foot down too, you know.)

I'm saying this to say, if a little bitty 5'3" African American/Cherokee woman in Oklahoma City can survive diabetes, there are a whole lot of savvy Black sisters and brothers in NYC who can do the same!

We celebrated my Mom Ruby Love's  90th birthday on February 22, 2013 in Oklahoma City, OK.  With all the family around her, she blew out those candles.  When she passed on April 14, it was because she decided that it was time to go and be with my Dad. They are happy together again as our Ancestor/Angels.

I'm sharing Walt "Clyde" Frazier's  HHC  Wellness article in case you've not seen it, and urging you to get your health back on track.  Stop accepting diabetes as a "Black people's disease."  Don't claim what you don't want to have happen in reality. Claim health, healing, happiness!!   Like the brother said, "I believe in winning;" and that's a good place to start.  If you want something, first get it in your mind.  Have a "winning" mindset, and you can defeat diabetes, and any other challenges you face.

Stay Blessed & 
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson 

The article follows:


WALT FRAZIER PUTS A SLAM DUNK ON DIABETES!
 

Walt "Clyde" Frazier
	Walt Frazier Puts a Slam Dunk on Diabetes Watch my video message about how diabetes has devastated my family and why I am involved in the fight against diabetes. Click here to see the video. The legendary NBA champion joins forces with the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) and shares his compelling personal message to help empower patients with diabetes: Q. Why is it important to you to get involved with diabetes education? Frazier: Diabetes has devastated my family. I've seen loved ones lose their limbs and lives because of diabetes complications. My aunts, uncles and grandparents have suffered from diabetes. Now my nieces and nephews have it or are at risk for it, because of obesity. I've been fortunate not to get it - -but I work hard to help prevent it. I'm not only concerned about diabetes in my family but society, as well. That is why I am partnering with HHC to empower and educate patients and let them know that diabetes is a serious condition but it can be prevented and controlled. Q. What's your message to patients with diabetes? Frazier: Take control of your diabetes and don't let diabetes take control of you. Try to maintain a healthy lifestyle that involves sensible exercise, good nutrition, regular glucose monitoring, and regular visits to your HHC health care team. Winning involves team work and fighting diabetes involves working with your health care team to reach your goals. Diabetes can affect every part of your body and you should take advantage of the extensive support the New York City public hospitals have available for you, including doctors, nurses, nutritionists, dentists, eye doctors, foot doctors, and diabetes educators. I believe in winning and living with diabetes is a challenge you can win. Q. What's your advice for people who want to avoid getting diabetes? Frazier: Education is the key. Learn as much as you can about diabetes. You need to be armed with information, so that you can make major changes to your routine. That's what has helped me. It's best to change your bad behaviors before diabetes is even present. I often tell people they should 1) work with a nutritionist to develop a healthy diet plan, 2) figure out a sensible exercise plan to get physically fit, especially if you are overweight, and 3) have your blood sugar levels tested every 3 months if you have a family history of diabetes. You control your own destiny --- take charge of your health. Q. How are you taking charge of your health to keep from developing diabetes? Frazier: I saw how my family suffered from diabetes and I know how I've suffered with the loss of their lives. I didn't want that to happen to me and I didn't want to put my kids through that. As a former athlete, I've always been committed to being fit. I like working out and I try to exercise 4 to 5 days a week. I try to get eight hours of sleep, if possible. My diet now consists of foods that are high in protein and low in carbs. I can prevent diabetes through proper diet and exercise. Q. What is your opinion about the high incidence of diabetes in the community? Frazier: I have been working to raise awareness about diabetes for a long time and have seen first hand the prevalence of diabetes particularly in the African American and Hispanic communities. In New York City, the incidence of diabetes has reached epidemic proportions -- mostly due to the growing obesity epidemic nationwide. My advice to people who are at high risk of diabetes or who already have it is to get out, get active, stop watching so much TV or playing computer games. Adopt a balanced diet and put a slam dunk on all junk or fast food. Develop a diet and exercise plan and do it for life, not just a week or two. If you don't take care of yourself now, you'll definitely pay for it later. Q. What sensible exercise tips do you have for people with diabetes? Frazier: As you get older, it is sometimes more difficult to do things you usually do, especially exercise. I'm self-motivated and I don't need to work out with anyone. However, my advice to others is to use the buddy system. Try working out with your spouse, friend or family member. You can plan group activities in the park or take long walks in the mall. Make it fun and do a little at a time. Try to maintain an easy flow, as you go. Q. How do you keep a balanced diet? Frazier: As an athlete, I have always watched what I ate. But, I eat better now than when I played for the Knicks. During the season, I knew that I could always lose those 5 to 10 extra pounds due to the intensity of the game. But now, I am very strict and more disciplined about what I eat. I try to balance my diet by eating high proteins such as lean meats, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. I also try to limit my carbohydrates like: bread, potatoes, rice and pasta. I've had to educate myself about healthy food choices. As I mentioned earlier, education is key in the fight against diabetes. Q. Can the average person or a diabetic be a role model for diabetes education? Frazier: You don't have to be a celebrity to be a role model. When it comes to diabetes education, it's about individuals setting goals and the community working together that counts. If you are a diabetic patient - then talk to others like you and share your struggles and successes. Invite your family members who don't have diabetes but may be at high risk to join your diet plan or exercise program to help them prevent getting it. Whether you are a celebrity or average person, we need to win the fight against diabetes. And as a former New York Knick and NBA basketball champion, I believe in winning!### For more information log onto www.nyc.gov/hhc NOTE:  Of course, in addition to the dietary protocols, there are some naturapathic modalities that also work in stemming the devastation of diabetes.  The HHC may or may not be aware of them, but they have proven affective in the treating, and in some cases, the cure, of diabetes.  In addition to dealing with regular doctors, arm yourself with the knowledge of these herbs and spices - including Cinnamon, which is great for maintaining stable blood sugar levels, and Ginger - both of which are available to you in your local supermarkets.  GDW   Did you order your: I AM ECLECTICALLY BLACK TEE SHIRT YET?  They're available for a limited time only (July 29 deadline) and are only $19.99! Order through www.Teespring.com/ECLECTICALLYBLACK  Check us out on FaceBook!  Now that you know, what will you do about it? Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY BLACK Gloria

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