Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation (AMWF), since 1957, is a non-profit, public services organization based on GIVING AND SHARING, is non-denominational, Multi-Cultural, 100% volunteer financed and operated relief organization that provides FREE charitable assistance to the general public with food, medicine, clothing, educational and employment opportunities, mental and physical health referrals, legal aid, shelter and other necessities to individuals, children, families, and organizations who lack these essentials for any reason. We provide private school and college admissions educational opportunities; assists with referrals for job training and placement; rental assistance; social services assistance; homelessness assistance; mental and physical health assistance; medical assistance and legal aid assistance referrals FREE for ANYONE whom has the need. In serving the above, our leadership and volunteer/donors are most importantly composed of the same fabric, Blacks, minorities, single mothers, widows, immigrants/refugees, the poor, homeless, needy!
AMWF has taken the lead in servicing and protecting the poor, homeless, and senoir shut-in residents from COVID-19 extending these various services and programs to the economically, mentally, and physically challenged; the poor and homeless; the undereducated and undeserved; people living with symptomatic HIV and AIDS; substance abuse; seniors 55 years and older; prenatal women; at risk youth; and homebound people living with serious illness!
We are and have been heavily involved in the Homeless servicing since the 1970’s that suddenly the government needs to address as a potential Deadly agent of the spread of the virus. Providing food IS AN ESSENTIAL service, so we are used for that purpose, we added new food resource donors, we MUST be out to serve and our work has TRIPLED!
Our Food Bank programs and weekly Free Farmers Market Food Give-Aways enable us to serve over 30,000 people a month from many Bay Area Community locations and provide for thousands with the special events we support that are totally free to the public. AMWF accommodate over 300 families per giveaway at each location with twice the quantity, a higher quality, much healthier, more expensive and fresher product that was purely the blessings of God. Our distribution includes daily fresh natural health foods, Halal, Organic, All Natural, Kosher, Vegan, specialty products, farm-fresh produce, high quality all-natural meats and seafood. We have fresh, natural organic products; a great mix of everyday staples; healthy canned goods; fresh fruits and vegetables; gourmet deli meats and products; eggs, dairy and cheeses products; high quality organic, all natural and grass fed meat, fish and poultry; baby foods; dry and canned goods; frozen natural and organic prepared meals and specialty items; natural body care and personal hygiene products; vitamins and supplements; gluten-free products; vegan and vegetarian products; bakery products; bulk food products; options for those with food sensitivities, and much more. This has more greatly enhance our business model as tantamount and concordant with our program and success!
A woman walks toward friends at a homeless encampment where she lives next to the Interstate
WE STAND ON OUR MOTTO OF “WE SAVE OUR CLIENTS A TRIP TO THE MARKET AND THE COSTS OF THE HEALTHY, FRESH FOOD ITEMS THEY RECEIVE!” and YOU can assist us in providing even better products for those less fortunate immediately!
We serve the indigent, homeless, needy, under privileged, disadvantaged, disabled persons, underserved, children, many in the Autism Spectrum and other afflictions. We conduct outreach to those living on the streets and offer benefits such as medical and mental health services, substance abuse treatment, social and psychological services, educational support to facilitate homeless student’s transition to school, transitional housing opportunities, and, eventually, permanent housing. We are serving our clients with mobile hot spot access to complete the necessary forms for service to those chronic homeless and those that do not have internet access to get them off the streets and rally support and create stabilized, lasting solutions.
We have massive list of clients that we communicate with daily through the same means that we now provide referrals, mail, email, phone, text and voice mail message service with and for our clients.
By way of our global accessible services, we have pioneered new, disruptive healing solutions that take advantage of each of our unique assets to rally our clients in support of our donors charitable causes.
We leverage private, corporate and foundation money, contacts, influence and in-kind contributions, as we engage and increase the collaborative involvement of our clients, the general public, business, non-profit community, and justice system forging a bond to work together to create solutions to improve the system of social interaction, personal treatment and health care by creating opportunities for collaboration and sharing of best practices among those invested in the improvement of homeless community to support and augment our efforts to reduce the barriers, to increase options and build service capacity for homeless benefits.
We engage our partners to provide other services that include tenant/landlord disputes, problems with food stamps and General Assistance, applying for SSI/SSDI disability benefits, immigration issues, arrest warrants & family law, towed cars, replacing lost IDs and other documents; additionally HAP social service volunteers and staff provide referrals for shelters, rehab programs and other social services benefits to which they are entitled.
The donations facilitate our efforts to fulfill our crucial financial and technical support needs that enables us to pursue our mission to also provide our services at no charge to other nonprofits and donors alike.
We have hundreds of daily uniquely distinctive, necessitous, and discrete web visitors to video chat, online chat, text, phone, email, and voice mail messages, to obtain precise information designed to relieve their concerns with confidential information and real help with specific performance in the form of any type of the most effective remedy in protecting the expectation interest of the clients. We are able to notice and communicate with 1,000’s via text message at a moments notice!
AMWF extends these various services and programs to the economically, mentally, and physically challenged; the poor and homeless; the undereducated and undeserved; people living with symptomatic HIV and AIDS; substance abuse; seniors 55 years and older; prenatal women; at risk youth; and homebound people living with serious illness.
Homeless encampment under the freeway on Peralta and 35th streets in Oakland, Calif.
We provide FREE groceries, clothing, shoes, hygiene kits, sleeping bags, blankets, medicine, and hot chef’s prepared gourmet meals to the homeless and homeless encampments and habitations of ALL kinds, from the streets to parks, from trees and bushes to alleys, from corners to ditches, from hand built shanties to tents under freeway overpasses!
We provide FREE groceries, bagged and hot chef’s prepared gourmet meals, plus the above, to the Oakland Safe Parking Program and the CAREavan Safe Parking Programs, among others, at local senior and community centers, and faith based organizations in an effort to provide families and/or individuals who have been displaced and are temporarily homeless, living in their vehicles and need a safe place to park and sleep overnight, with restrooms and an attendant present throughout the night at all of the locations.
We also provide food to those that had previously obtained necessary items at their Senior Center. But now that they’re closed are vital to the wellness of the community and senior population with our Food Bank program and Free Farmers Market Food Give-Aways.
The obvious challenge is firstly, THE WILL and DESIRE to address the needs of this segment of society! Then the allocated resources, including PEOPLE! One thing we’ve expierenced is a capacity challenge in terms of direct field workers whom have direct, first hand contact with those in need and followed by staffing. We have to ensure client safety as well as the safety of the food handlers, distributors, and drivers, so the food and meals are placed on tables, in boxes, at “doorsteps” and not handed to clients directly. We had a shortage before, and so scaling that is difficult to provide safer options during the COVID-19 pandemic, as most of these folks are already isolated in their prefered encampment but needs to serve three critical public health purposes:
1) Prioritize individuals experiencing homelessness who are asymptomatic, but are at high risk, such as people over 65 or who have certain underlying health conditions, and address their needs where they can more safely self-isolate even if it’s in their prefered encampment;
2) Provide isolation capacity, even in their prefered encampment, for individuals experiencing homelessness who have been exposed to COVID-19 (as documented by a state or local public health official, or medical health professional) that do not require hospitalization, but need isolation or quarantine even if in their prefered encampment; and
3) Provide isolation capacity for individuals experiencing homelessness who are COVID-19 positive, but who don’t need hospitalization. Their only choice is to return to a less regulated congregate shelter setting or back to their prefered encampment– both of which would lead to further spread of COVID-19.
Our team members, and the people we serve are of different race, faith, culture, age, gender, sexual orientation and income levels. AMWF by providing direct services, including providing nutritious food; edvocating for and participating in many relevant social service programs that promote the self-sufficiency of people in need; educating the general public about these issues, their causes and this partial solution while inspiring a consummate social conscience and honoring the dignity of every person. As part of that principal mission, AMWF works for basic economic survival security for all and the elimination of poverty by providing these services thus effecting societal and governmental policies that regulate the less fortunate to the bottom of the economic, social, health, and opportunity pyramid, with full understanding that any policy which affects the poorest of us affects all of us.
We provide essential services to many inter-faith based organizations with the aim of bettering the condition of the less fortunate. In that spirit of outreach, we have supplied many Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Disabled, Unabled, multi-cultural, inter-faith based businesses and organizations with staples that are in turn distributed to the public, and these events are NOT only fundraisers, BUT MOST are totally free to the public, there is no charge for anything to anyone.
AMWF features high-performing results in the invaluable areas of: youth development; elementary, secondary and college education; poverty alleviation; mental and physical health medical services; social services, as well as other economic-empowerment programs for individuals, families; and small businesses.
AMWF has forged an awareness and sustained an effort to connect those in dire need with service providers, donors, volunteers and nonprofit groups with these causes. We have taken community foundations and moved into social networking, reaching beyond static “bricks and mortar” to interactive Web sites to serve as a “dynamic virtual clearinghouses or town square” that holds conversations between those in NEED and their local charities, citizens, donors, and volunteers.
WE ARE and HAVE BEEN since 1970’s a Furtile Oasis in a Barren Food Desert serving those MOST in NEED!
FaceBook Fundrazr AMWF has a 100% donation policy, and we are transparent about how we use donations. May Allah (swt) bless you for your Zakat, Sadaqah and Sadaqah Jariya donations, iA!
You can view the AARON & MARGARET WALLACE FOUNDATION, (AMWF) video of Imam Zaid Shakir and the Lighthouse Mosque of Oakland, Ca., https://youtu.be/Ez8Wse1ghXU
Berkeley Masjid in Berkeley, Ca, iA, at:
Noor Islamic & Cultural Community Center at:
the CALIFA’s – (Center for Advance Learning Improving Family Awareness) Vallejo, CA at: https://youtu.be/MVXeno23U9I
Muslimas Free Food Giveaway at Masjid al-Islam at:
Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation Free Food Program Celebrity Giving Back. The Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation really catered to everyone Saturday, August 6, 2011 at the “Oakland’s Got Talent” event at DeFermery Park. We distributed $25,000 worth of groceries FREE to ALL that came, “Fresh Start” Backpack Giveaway with 5,000 FREE Backpacks filled with school supplies, haircuts, manicures, health services, picnic Bar-B-Q lunch, games, entertainment, etc.
You can view the following Santa Fe Elementary School’s Peace March with Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation, SemiFreddi’s, Trader Joe’s, Little Ceasar’s Pizza, Marshawn Lynch’s “Fam1ly F1rst” and Leon Powe’s “Fresh Start Oakland”:
Santa Fe Elementary School’s Peace March with Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation
Here’s the ABC-TV broadcast of our “Community Movement Toward Improvement” Music Conference in Oakland, California featuring MC Hammer, Martin Wyatt-KGO TV, Mohammed (MTV Real World-SF), Sway, Imani, Davey D, Raphael Saadiq- Tony Toni Tone, Greg Khalid Peck- Warner Bros,Karen Lee- Warner Bros Music, Eric B, Rico Cassanova, Abdul-Jalil,Tony Collins- Giant Records, Anita Greathouse-Knight, Gene Shelton, Lenny Williams,Thembisa Mshaka, Roy Tesfaye-Death Row Records shown in ABC-TV news clip.
Here’s the link to the YouTube video from radio station KPFA’s July 17, 2010 broadcast with Tom Frainier, a Haas boardmember and owner of SemiFreddis; with Cal Haas Business School student Gian “G” Pepe of Pepe International/Little Napoli Resturant/Carmel Bakery discussing Haas School of Business, the Y.E.A.H. Program, The Bread Project and giving back to the community. The video includes lots of good stuff on the Bread Project with some very appetizing shots of their products and it will make you hungry for some of your delectable wares upon watching! All the folks at Haas Business School have been in love with it for some time now.
ESPN’s Keith Olbermann Knocks Gay Jason Collins STRAIGHT!
Keith pays tribute to the first openly gay player in one of the four major sports. And it’s not Jason Collins. On “Olbermann”, Keith talked about Glenn Burke, the LA Dodger who was the first openly gay athlete in major sports over 30 years before Jason Collins, and he hits a sweet spot. It’s personal, rational and ends with a shocking twist.
Glenn Burke, the Real First Openly Gay Athlete in Professional Sports
“If I can make friends honestly, it may be a step toward gays and straight people understanding each other. Maybe they’ll say, ‘He’s all right, there’s got to be a few more all right.’ Maybe it will begin to make it easier for other young gays to go into sports.” Glenn Burke
Those are the words of Major League Baseball’s first openly gay player. While the national media covers Jason Collins‘ first minutes on the court as an openly gay professional basketball player and the NFL network constantly breaks down rookie Michael Sam‘s combine stats, we forget about the ORIGINAL sports pioneer.
Glenn Burke played 225 games in the majors as a Dodger and as a member of the Athletics, with 523 at-bats, a .237 average, two home runs, 38 RBIs and 35 stolen bases. While those numbers remain far from stellar, he contributed as a spirited member of the locker room, well liked by his teammates.
Major League Baseball didn’t either know how to deal with his sexual orientation or chose not to. The media wouldn’t touch the story until years after he left the game. Glenn Burke was a trailblazer who arrived on the scene long before our culture knew how to embrace him. Glenn Burke, who played two seasons for the Dodgers in the late 1970s, didn’t hide from teammates that he was gay. He was a popular figure in the clubhouse.
Glenn Burke was just doing what came naturally. Dusty Baker’s home run blast to left field on
the last day of the regular season, Oct. 2, 1977, was history-making. It was his 30th, meaning the Dodgers became the first team to have four players hit 30 home runs in a season. As Baker rounded third to the roar of the Dodger Stadium crowd, Burke, a rookie outfielder, ran from the on-deck circle, jumped up and gave Baker an over-the-head hand-slap in celebration. And, the high-five was born.
Over the next few weeks, forgive me if I seem apathetic towards media reports about the progress of Mr. Sam or Mr. Collins in theirrespective sports. We live in 2014. A player’s sexual orientation shouldn’t have any bearing on how well they throw a ball or how much weight they can lift. While they may have overcome hardships in their quest to seek a career in professional sports while maintaining their authenticity as a person, it pales in comparison to Burke’s journey more than 35 years ago. Most of us have come a long way since then, although you wouldn’t know it by the actions of a few knuckle-draggers.
Last week, Jason Collins wasn’t even on an NBA team. In two weeks, he might not be on one. But for now, Collins — the first openly gay, active player in the United States’ four big sports leagues — is, by jersey sales, the NBA’s most popular player.
NBA Senior Vice President Vicky Picca said Tuesday that Collins’ No. 98 Brooklyn Nets uniform is the top-seller on NBA.com, besting the likes of LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin. The interest is coming from the fans Collins has earned since announcing last year, when he was still unemployed, that he was gay.
“Jason Collins’ return to the league represents a historic moment, and fans continue to show their support by (buying) Jason’s jersey,” said Picca.
Not bad for a player who, just last week, inked a 10-day contract with the Nets. And the Stanford graduate hardly dominated in his lone game back on the court, going scoreless while compiling two rebounds and five personal fouls in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
In fact, Collins had never been a headline player. A journeyman with stops with New Jersey, Memphis, Minnesota, Atlanta, Boston and Washington, he’s known more for his defensive prowess and rebounding than his offensive output, having averaged 3.6 points per game over his 12-year career.
The warm reception he received during and after that game from his teammates, competitors like Kobe Bryant and league officials reflects more on Collins’ reputation as a player and person around the league, as well as his historic announcement. “I know everyone in the NBA family is excited for him and proud that our league fosters an inclusive and respectful environment,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after Collins’ signing last Sunday.
Whether Collins stays around remains to be seen. At age 35, he’s not bringing fresh legs to Brooklyn. And the team has no obligation to keep him on the roster. Still, whether or not he’s a go-to player, Collins has very much become a symbol for the gay rights movement since disclosing his sexuality in an April column in Sports Illustrated magazine.
“I didn’t set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I’m happy to start the conversation,” he wrote. “I wish I wasn’t the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, ‘I’m different.’ If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I’m raising my hand.”
There’s no escaping the symbolism in his jersey number: He chose 98 in honor of Matthew Shepard, the gay University of Wyoming student beaten to death in 1998.
The news that the Nets jersey was selling so well (despite the fact that Collins hasn’t even worn it yet, having at first donned a No. 46 for the Lakers game) struck a chord online.
Some on Twitter praised the development, like one who wrote, “He’s a piece of history, and this is really significant for a lot of people.”
Many others, though, were less enthusiastic — including some who used gay slurs and suggested Collins was profiting because he is gay. (In fact,
NBA players don’t get more or less money based on how many of their jerseys are sold.) Some questioned why Collins was being held out as an icon while, in their view, athletes who publicly profess their Christianity are criticized.
A few people questioned the jersey sales not because of Collins’ sexuality, but because of what they considered his sub-par play. “Jason Collins’ jersey was actually a top-seller?” tweeted one. “Wow…I mean I’m glad he came out and all but #CmonMan.
I would write more about it, but wordsmith and sports personality Keith Olbermann eloquently sums it up better in 5 minutes than most professional journalists could with an entire novel.
There’s no escaping the symbolism in his jersey number if he chose number 3 in honor of GLENN BURKE, the REAL FIRST gay athlete in team sports. The next time you read or hear a story about a gay athlete, remember outfielder Glenn Burke.
If you have any interest in learning more about his journey, check out his story from the 1982 issue of Inside Sports chronicling Burke’s time as a professional baseball player. Heartbreaking, courageous, inspiring and tragic… all words to describe the tale of professional sports’ first openly gay athlete.
You can click on any highlighted word to view or download that item
Hey All,
ESPN will film a TV Sports Special with me on Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at 2:00 pm at the Berkeley Masjid, 2716 Derby Street, Berkeley, CA 94705, iA.
Also, the Special show on baseball great Lyman Bostock is airing tonight, Sunday, September 22, 2013 at 10:00 pm EST/7pm PDT on the Major League Baseball (MLB) network.
Thanks,
Abdul-Jalil
(510) 349-4501
NO BOOKS, NO BALL Presents: “Coaching For Performance”
The Enlightened Coach
– Coaching For Performance – Learn The Essential Coaching Skills
“When our players help those in our community, they feel the reward that comes with community service. This initiative encourages positive behavior. It will have a profound impact on those who interact with our student-athletes.” -Hodari McGavock, Founder of NO BOOKS, NO BALL Cares
NO BOOKS, NO BALL (NBNB) Introduction
NO BOOKS, NO BALL (NBNB) Private Coaching
Sports and Social Media Infographic
NO BOOKS, NO BALL (NBNB) Academic Services
NO BOOKS, NO BALL Basketball Camp STEM Educational Model
NO BOOKS, NO BALL Cares
About Coach Mac
NO BOOKS, NO BALL (NBNB) is a non-profit community outreach program devoted to charitable, social services, athletic, educational, scientific, literary and educational purposes to foster national and international amateur sports competition, the administration, supervision, coordination or implementation of a sports, recreation or community services program for an individual, group, association, organization, municipality, county agency, recreation district, community Federation, incorporated association, school, university, college, school district, a branch or service area of the armed forces, or not for profit youth serving agency, or any agency that is the provider of educational and/or recreational sports services in the world, to plan, teach, promote, fund, administer and/or operation of supplemental physical, academic, and personal development and revitalization programs to enrich the curriculum of basic education offered to students at academic institutions resulting in expanded employment, economic prosperity, and business opportunities, to develop the game of Basketball in the United States and abroad, and to conduct fundraising activities for the support of such programs and to provide such charitable services that are associated with such purpose as allowed by law.NO BOOKS, NO BALL (NBNB), the top basketball talent development company in the nation, continues to advance its mission of working with the youth from our communities that are in need of a positive environment and guidance for their future. Through basketball development training and strategies, we teach players from elementary to professional level to develop their social and life skills. The lessons they learn, allow them to excel in life and give back to their community.
Through our programs, we have seen lives change for the better both on and off the court. The philosophy of NO BOOKS, NO BALL focuses on the principles of community outreach, work ethic, dedication, healthy nutrition, exercise, and academic success. Our organization strives to teach the youth about perseverance, motivation, team work, self-determination and overcoming adversity. The goal of NO BOOKS, NO BALL is to continue to make a difference in the lives of our youth and in our society.
NO BOOKS, NO BALL provide the best Professional coaching and offer an opportunity for you to get your game to the next level. Whether it is preparing for summer league, pro training camp or for an upcoming season, professional players can expect a customized program that’s proven to develop talent.
All of our coaches provide a similar philosophy towards the private training concept. In fact, here at NO BOOKS, NO BALL we highly recommend that student athletes experience all of our coaches because with each coach, you will learn more and more little things that will enhance your performance on the court.
Please note – during the private training sessions, the coaches provide a lot of valuable knowledge that the student athlete will receive by coming to the private training session. NO BOOKS, NO BALL coach management team truly believes that doing private training will elevate your performance on the court, but it takes time to really reach the student athletes fullest potential. This falls in line with our NBNB player development philosophy. NBNB provides the best instructors in the Nation.NO BOOKS, NO BALL’s goal is to:
• to foster national and international amateur sports competition,
• the administration, supervision, coordination or implementation of a sports, recreation or community services program for an individual, group, association, organization, municipality, county agency, recreation district, community Federation, incorporated association, school, university, college, school district, a branch or service area of the armed forces, or not for profit youth serving agency, any agency that is the provider of educational and/or recreational sports services in the world,
• to plan, teach, promote, fund, administer and/or operation of supplemental physical, academic, and personal development and revitalization programs to enrich the curriculum of basic education offered to students at academic institutions resulting in expanded employment, economic prosperity, and business opportunities,
• to develop the game of Basketball in the United States and abroad,
• assist organizations throughout the world in setting up Sports Camps as support groups,
• provide charitable assistance to those in need helping the hurting, poor, and needy to restore and empower themselves to make their dreams a reality,
• provide structured housing and supportive services at Sports Camps for young people in the process of overcoming life’s problems and those reintegrating back into society from homelessness and incarceration.
Funding support is open to the public at large, who believe in our mission and who donate freewill
contributions. Donors may be individuals, churches, ministries, businesses, communities and other public and private entities.
Hello All,NO BOOKS, NO BALL is offering it’s Private Coaches Lesson schedule for your registration. Our availability is now offering more times with more coaches because of the outstanding demand!
If you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact the email address listed above or you may call us at 510-394-4575.
Thanks and have a great day!
Coach Mac
Donate to NO BOOKS, NO BALL here
NO BOOKS, NO BALL Private and Semi-Private sessions include:Personalized skill development Position specific fundamentals Position specific fundamentals Speed & agility training Written player evaluations and progress analysis Home work-out agenda Skill development will be optimized to work on player’s individual needs: Shooting Technique Ball-handling / dribbling Footwork & balance techniques Passing Individual & team defense Best Private Training. NO BOOKS, NO BALL Year-Round Training FALL TRAINING If you are serious about making the team
Prepare for upcoming season
* Lay foundation for School/Town Travel season
* Improve performance from prior year
* Set a goal to reach a new level Key Focus
* Basketball Fundamentals
* Conditioning: Both physical and mental Goal Equip student athletes with the tools to get on track for their upcoming season — for whatever team they are preparing for. WINTER TRAINING Maintaining your basketball fundamentals
* In-season skill training and conditioning helps a player gain an edge during the season
* Facilitates raising a player’s game to reach personal bests SPRING TRAINING Best opportunity to maintain conditioning and improve fundamentals
* Players who do year-round basketball training gain the most competitive edge on the court
* NBNB offers the training tools to get better and increase confidence
* Underpins the Spring tournament season — maintaining conditioning and fundamental skills
* Serves as a complementary work-out for multi-sport athletes SUMMER TRAINING The time to focus on raising your game to the next level
* Opportune time to focus on basketball motor-skill development.
* Sufficient repetition is the key ingredient towards mastering basketball skill level.For all those that are looking to workout please contact coachmac@nobooksnoballsports.org, or camp@nobooksnoballsports.org510-394-4575, with any additional questions.
Sports and Social Media InfographicIt was Inevitable
Since we are at the cutting edge of everything related to sports recruiting we’ve already covered how Facebook is changing college recruiting. Please review this for some tips and rules high school and college athletes should consider. Now we feel it’s time for an update.All Access for Coaches
This Sports and Social Media infographic really breaks it down for you. For instance, how can a college coach resist incorporating social media into his recruiting strategy when 69% of sports fans–potential recruits–will check their Facebook or Twitter during meals? And you know where else they’ll check? 58% will check while they’re in the bathroom, 74% at a party, and 9% will even look at social media in church.
If you’ve spent more than 5 minutes with a teenager you know that Facebook is a force in their lives. But did you know that 81% of sports fans go to the internet for their breaking news? Or that people are 10 times as likely to check Twitter or Facebook for news as they are sports radio?Social Media is Changing Recruiting
There is little doubt that social media is changing recruiting. Coaches learned this–some of them late and against their will–and never looked back. The issue for teenagers being recruited to play sports in college is that lasting negative impact on their lives.Learn From the Yuri Wright Case
One well-publicized case is that of Yuri Wright, one of the nation’s top cornerbacks coming out of New Jersey’s Don Bosco Prep. Yuri made some ill-advised comments on Twitter and it ended up costing him his scholarship to Michigan. The University of Colorado is taking a chance on Wright and, to his credit, he says he’s learned a valuable lesson.Use Social Media as an Asset
As the IG illustrates people, including high school athletes, are increasingly getting their news and interacting through social media. The real question for athletes is will you use this as an asset or will it become something that will cost you your scholarship? Yuri Wright got a second chance because he was a nationally ranked player. You may not be so lucky so be careful.
No Books, No Ball Academic Services*Monitor the academic progress of student-athletes on a regular basis
*Maintain a specialized tutoring staff available to student-athletes
*Maintain a feedback system throughout the semester requesting professors to provide information concerning academic progress of student-athletes
*Provide supervised study environment where student-athletes may meet tutors, work in small groups, and study in a quiet atmosphere
*Coordinate various educational workshops throughout the semesterInformation Services
*Disseminate information on all aspects of No Books, No Ball and give referral assistance when deemed necessary
*Inform student-athletes of academic progress each semester
*Refer student-athletes to the appropriate source for graduation statusCounseling Services
*Plan schedules each semester with the student-athlete to ensure compliance with the Oakland Athletic League Rules and Oakland School District Regulations
*Provide assistance in choice of major and career counseling
*Counsel individuals concerning problems of a personal or academic natureDevelopmental Services
*Support in making a smooth transition to life as a student-athlete
* *Making the transition from high school to university academics
* *Learning appropriate and effective advocacy skills
* *Developing strategies for balanced growth and development
*Support in learning skills and strategies necessary for success in the college classroom
* *Private consultation with the Learning Specialist
* *Informal reading and study skills assessment
* *Communication and coordination with Academic Department Advisers
*Support in making the most effective use of tutors
* *Developing effective strategies for use of content area tutoring
* *Communication with tutors to monitor progress and to consistently support skill and strategy development
Other Services
*Serve as the liaison with the Dean of Students for issues regarding academic and other misconduct
*Provide counseling for any issue regarding transition to high school and college life, academics, and athletically related issues
*Serve as liaison with Social Services Programs
NO BOOKS, NO BALL Basketball Camp STEM Educational ModelOur educational model is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) based program that incorporates Reading, Writing, Vocabulary, Problem Solving, and Transitional Readiness in the curriculum. This program will expose the students to cutting edge information and procedures as well as improve on their fundamental academic skills. We are very excited about this forward thinking program and believe that it will begin to prepare the students for the ever changing educational and career environment.
Each class we be led by a qualified instructor and also feature an instructor’s aide for added hands on support.
Utilize the versatile and unique qualities of NO BOOKS, NO BALL Basketball Camp we offer the opportunity for players to attend training and get ahead with advanced high school classes, SAT and ACT Prep classes, ESL classes or TOEFL Prep classes. The comprehensive schedule allows a player to experience what being an Academy program student-athlete is like by completing coursework and a rigorous Basketball training curriculum within the basketball program. It is designed for players who need to accomplish necessary tasks for school, while also wanting to have fun and improve their game. The weekday schedule includes basketball training and class work in the afternoon. Class include:
Algebra I, Geometry, Math Models, Algebra 3, Pre-Cal, Biology, Calculus, Statistics, US History, Social Studies, Government, Economics, World Geography, Spanish, French, Art, Physics, Journalism, Chemistry, Dance, English, Computers, P.E., Multi MediaSAT/ACT College Prep
College admission is more competitive than ever before. Just as you wouldn’t enter a competition without practicing, you shouldn’t take the SAT or ACT without knowing exactly what you’ll encounter on the test. With a half day of Basketball and a half day of SAT preparation, you’ll be ready to achieve a better score and improve your chances of gaining entrance to your college of choice.
The SAT/College Prep class is taught for four hours per day in small class sizes. It covers all the SAT/ACT topics including Algebra, Geometry, Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Rhetorical Writing, Current Events and Writing and Style.Basketball Camp with English Options
NO BOOKS, NO BALL Basketball Camp offers two options for our international participants who wish to improve their English and their sport at the same time.
Academic English/TOEFL Prep Sport Camp: For participants age 15-19 who wish to prepare for an exam in their home country or for entrance into an American university. After a half-day of sports exercises and drills, participants will study reading/writing, academic test preparation and practice, sample TOEFL exams, and develop their advanced English skills.
English as a Second Language Sport Camp: For participants 8 – 19, a half-day of sport drills and a half-day of fun English activities focusing on vocabulary development. Fun interactive activities are combined with field trips and weekly vocabulary/grammar units on topics of general interest such as sports and recreation, food , health, the environment and travel.
These programs are designed for visitors to the United States and no I-20s are issued for these programs.
NO BOOKS, NO BALL Cares
NO BOOKS, NO BALL Cares is a non-profit community outreach program dedicated to serving our community. It is founded on the principals of teamwork, not only on the basketball court, but also in our community. Athletes learn more is achieved, the task made easier, when individuals come together to form a collective unit. The experience has a greater influence on all members, both receiving and giving.
In these difficult times, it is necessary for us to extend a hand, and use the talents and gifts that we have, to improve the life of others in our community. NO BOOKS, NO BALL Cares promotes the giving of time, money and tangible goods. Volunteering at organizations that need the help of physical hands is encouraged.
The hope of NO BOOKS, NO BALL Cares is to not only help others, but for our players to understand these core principles of respect, teamwork, and community involvement. Adopting these values can improve the lives of our student-athletes on the basketball court. However, perhaps even more importantly, they can be transferred into the classroom, and in everyday scenarios that call for strong, confident behavior. “An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”
-The Reverend Martin Luther King JRThis statement is essentially the mission of NO BOOKS, NO BALL Cares. “When our players help those in our community, they feel the reward that comes with community service. This initiative encourages positive behavior. It will have a profound impact on those who interact with our student-athletes.”
-Hodari McGavock, Founder of NO BOOKS, NO BALLNO BOOKS, NO BALL Supplemental & Emergency Food Distribution
We began our supplemental and emergency food distribution program in the Fall of 2004 with the Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation. Boxes of Food is designed to serve the needy in Oakland, California and surrounding communities.
We provide a 3-7 day box of food (dry goods, can food, bread, etc.) to low income and homeless individuals and families (herein referred to as clients) on a bi-weekly basis as well as emergency boxes of food on an as needed basis. As time progresses we will distribute food on a weekly basis as well as have other food pantries in Oakland, California to do so.
In addition to the initial monthly supplemental food box, Boxes of HOPE will have two special Holiday distributions:Thanksgiving Food Boxes – Each year, Boxes of HOPE, will distribute a box of food containing everything needed to prepare a Thanksgiving meal, including a turkey, for a family of four to those registered and receiving monthly supplemental food boxes. Thanksgiving boxes will be distributed the week before Thanksgiving.
Christmas Food Boxes – Each year, Boxes of HOPE, will distribute a box of food containing everything needed to prepare a Christmas Day meal, including a ham, for a family of four to those registered and receiving monthly supplemental food boxes. Christmas boxes will be distributed the week before Christmas.
Clients who come to Boxes of HOPE do not have to meet income guidelines set by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and live within our service boundaries. Anyone receiving any type of state or governmental assistance (such as SNAP, WIC, Social Security Income (SSI), or SSI disability) and do not have to present a legal photo ID (state ID or driver’s license), proof of residency (state ID, driver’s license or utility bill), and proof of income or state assistance (such as SNAP, WIC, Social Security Income (SSI), or SSI disability). No one is turned away, will receive a food box as long as supplies are available, and a referral to a food pantry in their area. Clients are provided all the services we offer regardless of race, sex, color, creed, sexual preference or any other non-qualifying designation.
The funding for this program will come from donations from local food stores as well as free-will public donations of food and cash. Our Program Director and volunteers will oversee the operation of this program. This program is offered with the Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation.
Gifts of HOPE – Christmas Gifts for Families in Need – We expect to begin our Christmas gift distribution for families in need called Gifts of HOPE, Christmas of 2013. Each year the organization will adopt one or more families in need to provide Christmas gifts to the children and parent(s) who would not otherwise be able to provide Christmas gifts to their family. Volunteers will purchase, wrap and deliver gifts to parent(s) for their children – not only delivering the message of hope to a parent that fears not being able to provide for their children, but also the message of love from parent to child, and the true meaning of Christmas. Each member of the family will receive clothes, shoes, toys, and food for the family, including adults and children living in the household.
Clients of this program will be chosen from those families currently receiving some type of assistance from Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation or by referral from other organizations. To qualify, the household income of the clients of the program must fall in the income guidelines set by the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines published in the Federal Registry.
The funding for this program will come from public donations in the form of free-will cash and gift donations as well as the ability to sponsor a family. Individuals, families, or groups may call the organization to sponsor a family. Donators will be asked to provide at least one wrapped gift for each family member. The organization will supplement with purchased gifts as needed. Our Program Director and volunteers will oversee the operation of this program. This program will take approximately 2% of our resources.
About Coach Mac
Hodari McGavock has served as an educator for students from middle and high school through community college in both the Oakland Unified School District and the Peralta Community College District for 38 years. He has worked with this wide range of students in the capacities of teacher, counselor and basketball coach.Born and reared in Indianapolis, Indiana, Hodari McGavock, fondly referred to as “Coach Mac” is a product of the Indianapolis Public School District from elementary through high school and is a proud graduate of Crispus Attucks High, where he was an outstanding student and basketball player. He earned a full basketball scholarship to and graduated with a Bachelors Degree from Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee in 1966. He earned a Masters Degrees from both Eastern Michigan University, Yipailanti, Michigan in 1968 and California State University, Hayward with a Life Pupil Personnel Services Credential as well from California State University, Hayward.The incredible career achievements of Coach Mac as a Men’s Varsity Basketball coach in the Oakland Unified School District at Oakland Technical High School for 25 years and now at major cross-town rival Castlemont High are legendary, highlighted by many noteworthy achievements, only a few follows:*** In 2012 Inducted into the Multi-Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame *** In 2011 Honored as State of California Coach of the Year *** 2010 – Oakland Athletic League Championship *** Selected as 2008-09 California Inter-Scholastic Federation Model Coach Award winner. A model coach demonstrates and teaches the six core ethical values: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship (the “Six Pillars of Character”). The CIF believes that the highest potential of sports is achieved when teachers/coaches consciously Teach, Enforce, Advocate and Model (T.E.A.M.) these values and are committed to the ideal of Pursuing Victory with Honor. *** Honored as Oakland Tribune Newspaper “2002 Coach of The Year”, *** Nominated for California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Hall of Fame, *** He coached for 25 years at Oakland Tech High School until June 2005 moving over to rival Castlemont High School in 2007 after a two year hiatus, *** First full-time Oakland Public School Counselor to become a full time Oakland Athletic League coach, *** Won two Northern California State Championships consecutively from 2002-3, *** Qualified for numerous Northern California State Championships Playoffs, *** He has won eight Oakland Athletic League Championships, *** First Basketball coach to ever win four consecutive Oakland Athletic League Championships from 1999-2003, *** Won over 550 High School basketball games and is a sure “Hall of Fame” inductee upon final retirement, *** In 1980 he founded of the “No Books, No Ball” Academic Achievement Program for Student-Athletes to aid them in their quest for academic excellence and to facilitate their enrollment into institution of higher learning, *** Has sent hundreds of student-athletes to colleges all around the country and the world professionally including the NBA, *** In July 2010 he took Castlemont High School’s Varsity Basketball team to Heidelberg, Germany for an 11-day trip to play four games against club teams where they will stay with German families during the trip that includes visiting and participating in a German school while there. *** Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach at Merritt Junior College, Oakland, California *** Has mentored several very successful Men’s High School Varsity Head Basketball Coaches, *** Has trained many professional basketball players including National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Stars, NBA Scoring Champs, and NBA World Champions. *** Camp Counselor for University of Sports “Super Star Basketball Camp” for elite Boys and Girls athletes since 1995
If you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact the email address listed here or you may call us at: info@nobooksnoballsports.org, 510-394-4575
Thanks,
Coach Mac
7633 Sunkist Drive, Oakland CA 94605-3032 Phone (510) 394-4101
“He who Harms a Life, it is as if he has Harmed ALL Mankind, and He who has saved a Life, it is as if he has Saved ALL Mankind!” Who will you save?
We Need Mac Pro Tower, or MacBook Pro, and 3- iPads
We mounting an “Equipment Donation Drive” to obtain donations of a Mac Pro Tower (Quad-Core), 3.2GHz; 2-12 GB DDR2 SDRAM, an Apple MacBook Pro 17″ – Quad Core i7, 2.2 GHz, an Apple MacBook Pro – 15.4″ – Core i7, 2.6 GHz, or a Apple MacBook Pro 13.3″ – Dual Core i5, 2.4 GHz – MacOS X 10.8 Mountain Lion for a group that serves under privileged, disadvantaged and disabled persons. We are also interested in three iPads for children with Autism. Your donation is taxdeductible to the full extent allowable under the law. We will accept any monetary donations toward this end for the purchase of the equipment.
Sista’s Charity Group Need Two Cargo Vans
The Sista’s Charity group is interested in obtaining two cargo vans or passenger vans with removable seats, an SUV with removable seats or large pick up truck with a camper shell for pickup and delivery of FREE food, clothing and supplies to the communities that they serve of under privileged, disadvantaged and disabled persons. Can you help them, insha’Allah? Your donation is tax deductible to the full extent allowable under the law. You donate via Paypal withemail address to Sis. Nanita Strong, N. Strong Harmony, (510) 394-5701, nanitastrong@yahoo.com. Again, they will accept any monetary donations toward this end for the purchase of the vehicles. The Aaron & Margaret Wallace Food Program (AMWF) has helped the less fortunate for over 55 years continuously and are now serving over 30,000 per month from 19 Northern California locations! You can listen to or download Part 1 of 2 Interviews of Abdul-Jalil on AmericanMuslim360 (AM360) by Niamat Shaheed. http://superstarmanagement.podomatic.com/entry/2013-01-16T18_20_23-08_00 https://www.box.com/s/zbt1c2j96h1agxx96wiw
Part 2 of 2 Interviews of Abdul-Jalil, Nanita Strong and Imam Wali Mohammed on AmericanMuslim360 (AM360) by Niamat Shaheed. http://superstarmanagement.podomatic.com/entry/2013-01-16T18_45_13-08_00 https://www.box.com/s/wlj5filuyybr533hziqg
After witnessing my mother and father give freely to others since I was a child from the 1950’s until their death, charity struck a cord with me. I often thought, “how and in what way I could contribute anything close to the enormous good they had done so often for so many?”. My parents purchased land and built a church for their personal pastor and to accompany that, they also built him and his family a home as well. As I grew and matured, became more knowledgeable, sophisticated, and worldly, and as my faith and religious acumen blossomed, I realized the prodigious importance of building a house of worship and the infinite blessings that flow from such an achievement. I had to find a way to fulfill that potential within me as my parents had set the bar very, very high!
I knew that I didn’t have to re-invent the wheel as there was an incredible model for success that I could really make a difference and give back to my community by continuing the programs that my parents had forged when I was a child! So the A MWF began with the support of friends, neighbors, acquaintances, religious leaders, community members, and businesses dedicated to helping others. The Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation (A&MWF) is a non-denominational, multi-cultural,100% volunteer financed and operated relief organization that provides FREE food, medicine, clothing, educational and employment opportunities, mental and physical health referrals, legal aid, shelter and other necessities to individuals, children, families, and organizations who lack these essentials for any reason. We provide private school and college admissions educational opportunities; assists with referrals for job training and placement; rental assistance; social services assistance; homelessness assistance; mental and physical health assistance; medical assistance and legal aid assistance referrals FREE for ANYONE whom has the need at the Aaron & Margaret Wallace Foundation website.
Providing The Necessities For Success In Life
A&MWF, a public services organization based on GIVING AND SHARING, has created a 100% volunteer self-operated, self-supported, self financed model defined by developing the marketplace of a network that features high-performing results in the invaluable areas of: youth development; elementary, secondary and college education; poverty alleviation; mental and physical health medical services; social services, as well as other economic-empowerment programs for individuals, families; and small businesses. A&MWF is pioneering a new trend, as government and community funds grapple with the recession and the challenges of raising funds, WE have forged an awareness and sustained an effort to connect those in dire need with service providers, donors, volunteers and nonprofit groups with these causes. We have taken community foundations and moved into social networking, reaching beyond static “bricks and mortar” to interactive Web sites to serve as a “dynamic virtual clearinghouses or town square” that holds conversations between those in NEED and their local charities, citizens, donors, and volunteers. Every month thousands of San Francisco/ Oakland Bay Area residents rely on the AMWF Community Food Program for nutritious food and social service resources. As a local entity providing free food to those in need, we are seeing a significant increase in the percentage of children we serves, as county food banks see a spike in pleas for help. “51 percent of individuals served … are infants, children and teenagers. In the past, the percentage of people under 18 was 40 percent.” The change is attributed to an increase in the number of families seeking emergency food aid. “Traditionally we’ve seen more demand for services from the western end of the city, but we are seeing an increase in need in the central part, and we even have people from the Hills and the affluent parts of town”. The Aaron & Margaret Wallace Community Food Programs (AMWF), a multi-ethnic, multi-issue community-based organization, continues to carry out its mission of a society in which all persons flourish as it provides and refers comprehensive services — in collaboration with other hunger, health care, housing, violence, abuse, counseling, senior, youth, women, children, civil rights, employment, and education response agencies — to thousands of men, women and children living in San Francisco/ Oakland Bay Area in California to help transform the lives of people in need. AMWF extends these various services and programs to the economically, mentally, and physically challenged; the poor and homeless; the undereducated and undeserved; people living with symptomatic HIV and AIDS; substance abuse; seniors 55 years and older; prenatal women; at risk youth; and homebound people living with serious illness. Our members, and the people we serve are of different race, faith, culture, age, gender, sexual orientation and income levels. AMWF by providing direct services, including providing nutritious food; edvocating for and participating in many relevant social service programs that promote the self-sufficiency of people in need; educating the general public about these issues, their causes and this partial solution while inspiring a consummate social conscience and honoring the dignity of every person. As part of that principal mission, AMWF works for basic economic survival security for all and the elimination of poverty by providing these services thus effecting societal and governmental policies that regulate the less fortunate to the bottom of the economic, social, health, and opportunity pyramid, with full understanding that any policy which affects the poorest of us affects all of us. By catering to everyone we have built many allies with statewide and national anti-hunger organizations to support legislation addressing low-income people’s food needs. In doing so, we help build power in our communities and win institutional changes on the issues that affect our lives as we provide fresh, hot, nutritious meals and bags of groceries with healthy meat, fish, breads, perishable and nonperishable food, such as canned vegetables and fruits, tuna fish, peanut butter, rice, dry beans and pasta, at a location near their home that are served to anyone without restriction. A&MWF has made it easy and effortless for service providers, donors, volunteers and nonprofit groups to connect with those in NEED, as we have received more individuals needs profiles submitted on this site. The profiles include their contact information, information about their needs, desired solutions, pleas for their need satisfaction, and a listing of opportunities to achieve their solution. We also have profiles submitted of individuals as prospective donors or volunteers, include information about the causes that interest them. We look forward to our being able to do business together helping those most in need while providing you with incredible branding opportunities with maximum media exposure for the greatest community relations benefit and increased business development. There is no better branding than to be perceived as a company that cares for the less fortunate, the working man, and the environment while presenting a quality product at a great price and being socially conscious. Your customer feels that they are contributing to your good efforts as if they are doing it themselves! If you or someone that you know needs Quality of Life Aid, PLEASE fill out the form below so that we can determine the best way to assist them. Anyone can register at http://AMWFTRUST.ORG by submitting an online request form in a strictly confidential submission and they can also feel free to call the number (510) 394-4101 as well. WE are trying to end this travesty by helping and giving for their change of life circumstances! Can YOU help Us help THEM? Make you tax deductible donation here! Thank you,
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“How a Grieving Family Saved A Troubled City with A Martyr”
From left, Octavia Spencer, Ryan Coogler, Melonie Diaz and Michael B. Jordan at the July 8 premiere of “Fruitvale Station”
The year 2009 began with a tragedy at an Oakland BART station. Shortly after 2 a.m. on New Year’s Day, BART police Officer Johannes Mehserle shot and killed 22-year-old Oscar Grant II, of Hayward, on the platform of the Fruitvale station after responding to reports of a fight on a train.
“Make no mistake about it Oscar Grant was Murdered, Executed by a BART cop!” That was the echoing sentiment boiling up from among the justifiably angry, restless community of Oakland and the surrounding communities that spread world wide as video of Oscar Grants execution was blared over and over on television screens all around the world. It had become the quintessential poster for the ultimate example of Police misconduct and abuse- a lawless execution as the Black victim lay face-down on the ground, hands behind his back, shot, then handcuffed as he dies- all caught on cameras for the world to see!
Also caught on camera for the world to see was the public reaction to the execution that led to violent protests, as the public “showed their outrage” with the costly destruction of property to areas around town.
The gunman police officer was allowed to go free, traveled outside the state of California until he was charged with murder and appended in Nevada after National public protest forced the District Attorney to file criminal charges. His attorney has argued he meant to fire his Taser gun when he shot and killed Grant.
The Oscar Grant movie: Fruitvale Station
As a result of the media coverage from the destructive protests, the Alameda County Superior Court found that it was unlikely that the gunman, former BART police Officer Johannes Mehserle, could get a fair trial in Oakland and the trial was transferred to Los Angeles.
The last time a police officer was convicted of a felony crime committed while on duty was the early 1990‘s when Abdul-Jalil al-Hakim knew his computer store was being burglarized by members of the Oakland Police Department but he could not complain to the police! al-Hakim turned to close friend Leo Dorado, then an Alameda County District Attorney prosecuting capital murder crimes, that lead to an investigation directed by Matt Golde conducted by the DA’s office of these rogue police activities. The case ended with the trial conviction of one officer, Newman Ng and the guilty plea of another, Kailey Wong. There was evidence of the involvement of over 15 police officers in these series of burglaries of businesses and the “fencing” of the stolen property. The problem was so rampant, even the Chief of Police George Hart had a stolen computer on his own desk at the station!!! Leo Dorado is now Judge Leo Dorado and Matt Golde, the son of former Judge Stanley Golde, brother of legal analyst Ivan Golde, is head DA of the Juvenile Division.
BART spokesman Linton Johnson said the agency is “trying to turn tragedy into triumph” by increasing transparency and enacting new policies. In August 2009, the BART board of directors voted unanimously to approve citizen oversight of the BART Police Department, and the agency is seeking a new permanent police chief.
For six months al-Hakim had been speaking with and advising Jack Bryson, father of two of Oscar Grant’s friends that were with him on the Fruitvale platform when he was murdered whom also were abused by BART police, regarding approaches to produce the proposed Oscar Grant anniversary event. Al-Hakim continued those conversations with the family spokesperson, Cephus “Bobby” Johnson.
In mid December as the date for the event neared, admitting that he knew nothing about producing any event, much less one of the magnitude of the January 1, 2010 Oscar Grant Anniversary Vigil, Cephus Johnson requested al-Hakim to produce the event for the family to assure that it would be handled properly and be a success! The event was less than 30 days away and Cephus only had an idea for a memorial as BART agreed to provide electrical power, to allow for a civil congregation and alter at the entrance of the station, and possibly at the scene of the shooting on the train platform in memory of Oscar’s death.
al-Hakim informed Cephus of the City and the Police Department’s requirements for assembly permits, security, sound and stage, possible entertainment and the fact that since the event was less than 30 days away, it was already too late to legally and properly secure them without some negotiating and special permission from the city and the police department.
al-Hakim discussed the idea of having an event that would capture the imagination of the nation and set a true landmark, a new paradigm in how to address social concerns in a large minority city with many, many, complex issues after having experienced such a tragic catastrophe.
al-Hakim proposed a “Celebration Of Oscar Grant’s Life” with a memorial prayer vigil and ceremony at the Fruitvale BART station to foster a comforting environment for those in attendance without the fear of any party provoking or intimidating the other at these events; to establish a working agreement with BART and Oakland Police department for the event to be held with a “low-to-no police presence” so there’s little or minimum possibility of confrontation between the expected attendees and law enforcement; and to have all the parties- the Oscar Grant family, BART, Oakland Police Department, and the Mayor/City to make a joint press release or have a joint press conference announcing the planned activities. This would make it possible for this events to occur and conclude in success and peace for everyone. This would be a phenomenal public relations coup that would rebuild the image of all the parties concerned while garnering a cache of goodwill you could not buy!
This would put the face of Oscar Grant on ALL the parties in a united platform of “We Are ALL Oscar Grant!” It would humanize the parties in the common bond of mankind and serve as an example for how these types of tragedies can be used to heal a strife-torn city. It would go a long way toward bringing the parties together publicly, promote reconciliation and potentially foster agreement.
Cephus thought it was an incredible idea but did not believe it was possible. al-Hakim asked him to discuss the possibility with the family and their attorney John Burris and let him know their response. Cephus returned with a resounding “Yes, if you can do!”.
al-Hakim first called long time friend, BART Director Carole Ward Allen who chairs the BART Police Department Review Committee and discussed the concept for her support.
He also called Linton Johnson, Public Information Officer for BART whom was unavailable and left him a voicemail message.
al-Hakim then called Jeffrey Thomason, Public Information Officer for the Oakland Police Department and explained to him the concept of the event and how it could be successful and problem free without the police presence. Thomason also thought it was an incredible idea but did not believe the family and their attorney John Burris would go along with it. Having already secured the family’s approval al-Hakim requested that Oakland Police Department stand behind their commitment and work with the family to secure needed permits and allow security with “no visible police presence”. He felt he could agree to do so wherein Thomason discussed the matter with the Chief and Captain, got approval and called al-Hakim back with a referral to the sergeant at the Eastmont Station that would be the liaison to secure all permits and verify the plan for a safe, trouble free event.
Shortly after, Linton Johnson returned al-Hakim’s voicemail and also thought it was an incredible idea but did not believe the family and their attorney John Burris would go along with it. Having already secured the family’s approval al-Hakim requested that BART stand behind their commitment and work with the family to secure needed permits, allow security with “no visible police presence”, provide sound and stage equipment, and allow the alter for the Oscar Grant Memorial. He agreed to do so if the family was in fact behind this proposal. al-Hakim assured him they were and informed him of the present state of the event with the help of BART Community Relations manager Roddrick Lee and to further allay his fears, al-Hakim gave him Cephus cell phone number and assured that Cephus would call him and Roderick.
Tatiana Grant
From there al-Hakim contacted Mayor Ron Dellums, City Administrator Dan Lindhiem and several of their staff members to inform them that the Oscar Grant family, BART, and Oakland Police Department had agreement on the event and would like to have the Mayor involved to join their efforts in this event representing the city. al-Hakim explained how this would be INCREDIBLY HUGE for the Oscar Grant family, BART, Alameda County Superior Court Administration, Oakland Police Department, and the City! This would be a ginormous step ahead in fostering civil relationships between what are publicly perceived as adversaries. This could be bigger than Rodney King’s ” Can We Just Get Along?”. They also agreed to go forward, so everything was in place.
Cephus spoke with both Roderick and Linton, where understanding and agreement was reached and the family began to plan for the “Celebration Of Oscar Grant’s Life” with a memorial prayer vigil and ceremony at the Fruitvale BART station, Friday, January 1, 2010 from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The memorial would be hosted by the family of Oscar Grant with prayers and speeches from many of the Bay Area’s most prominent religious leaders in a civil congregation with alter at the entrance of the station and at the scene of the shooting on the train platform in memory of Oscar’s death.
At the conclusion of the memorial there, everyone would be invited to the Humanist Hall for a continuing evening of music, spoken word, poetry, food and drink until 11:00 pm.
With only days until the January 1, 2010 event, al-Hakim still had to meet with Oakland Police Department to discuss and present an acceptable plan to arrange the “no police presence, civil stand-by” type of a security enforcement for the short 3-4 hour time period for the Oscar Grant Events so those in attendance would not have any party provoking or intimidating the other at these events. He also had to assure them of a working agreement with BART for the event held at the Fruitvale Station with this same type of security so there’s little to no possibility of confrontation between the expected attendees and law enforcement. So al-Hakim brought on Gabrielle Wilson, a legal affairs reporter at KPFA; producer and co-host of “The Gospel Experience”, “Music of the World” and “Ear Thyme”; and Master of Ceremonies at many events around the Bay Area including the San Jose Jazz Festival to MC and assist in securing the entertainment and speakers.
al-Hakim met with the the sergeant at the Eastmont Station twice to secure all permits and verify the plan for a safe, trouble free event. At the first meeting, it was revealed to al-Hakim that Oakland Police had secured flyers, there was a Facebook page, and emails from a community activists organization allegedly associated with the event planning called the General Assembly (for Justice for Oscar Grant) detailing activities to incite violence at the vigil imploring attendees to “show your outrage!”. al-Hakim was shocked to learn of this activity as he knew of the group from working with the family but had not seen any flyers, email nor a FaceBook page inciting violence. al-Hakim assured the officers that the intent of the family was to have a peaceful vigil and was opposed to any other activity and would do all they could to insure that happened! The officers agreed to the plan that with the Nation of Islam providing on location security and BART and the Police on stand-by, we could work out an acceptable plan for the Fruitvale venue. But they insisted that the person, persons, or group that rented the Humanist Hall for the evening event would have to come forward with the contract, produce a security plan that they would reduce to 4-8 licensed security guards, event insurance, and would be liable for any and all damages that occurred as a result of any destruction stemming from the event. Like the police, the Humanist Hall requires that the person(s) in which whose name the rental is in must provide a plan for security for both inside and outside the venue, and how they plan to control exits from the venue in the event of something happening, and crowd control outside the venue. The police was concerned because they have had many problems with the Hall operating without permits and taking proper measures to secure safe events in the past. al-Hakim requested that the officers inform the family directly of these conditions and called Cephus from the meeting for them to do so. Cephus was unavailable so al-Hakim made an appointment for a second meeting for him and Jack Bryson, the named renter of the Hall so that all concerns could be resolved to the officers satisfaction since it was clear they wanted to work with the family to insure a safe, trouble free event.
al-Hakim discussed the meetings with the family and at another meeting again informed the “General Assembly” of the requirements of BART, Oakland Police Department and the City in order to have the events. al-Hakim expressed his concern for the family having their prayer vigil as planned without the decency of a few with opposing interest to make it their event, the police having more information about the happenings of the group then he had, and for obvious reason, decided that he no longer wanted to be associated with it.
It was clear that those with opposing interest from the Grant family’s wishes were intent on forcing conflict and advised Bryson not to meet with the police thus insuring a show down at the event. Since one of the agitators who would have an interest in filming any disturbance for their profit had donated a small amount of money for the rental, it was offered make to them to remove them from the decision making process. When they would not relent, that family canceled the Humanist Hall event and removed it from their schedule. Now, without any association to the family event, it exposed the those with divergent interest to have their own event without the shield of the family to hide behind. This was too much for them to overcome, along with the fact they did not want to address the reality that they would be combating the security provided by the Nation of Islam!
Begrudgingly but relieved, they relented and the family with a few people met with Oakland Police and the Mayors office and agreed to the exact same terms as negotiated a week earlier by al-Hakim.
On December 30, 2009 the “Oscar Grant family and BART issue joint statement on the New Year’s tragedy
“ Grant family calls for peace, love and forgiveness”
As the year anniversary of the tragic officer-involved shooting at Fruitvale Station of BART passenger Oscar Grant draws near, the Grant family and the BART Board of Directors are joining together to thank the public for their continued support for the reforms taking place in the BART Police Department.
Additionally, Oscar Grant’s mother, Wanda Johnson, wants to emphasize that people should honor her son’s memory on January 1 through “a day of celebration not demonstration.” She added, “It is our hope that this day be a peaceful day to remember Oscar and the others who have been lost to violence.”
“We want the public to know we are a family of peace, love and forgiveness,” Oscar’s uncle Cephus Johnson said.
“In the year since my nephew was killed, I truly believe positive changes have occurred in the BART Police Department and many more will come. We want to thank the public for their continued involvement in making the BART Police the best it can be as we enter 2010.”
“On behalf of the BART Board of Directors, we want to again express our deepest and sincerest regret and our heartfelt condolences over the loss of Oscar Grant,” BART Director Carole Ward Allen said. Ward Allen chairs the BART Police Department Review Committee, which is guiding the implementation of the changes within the police department. “We look forward to making more positive changes in 2010, including the hiring of a new police chief and working with the State Legislature to quickly amend the law so BART can implement independent citizen oversight of the BART Police Department.”
“This has been one of the most gut-wrenching episodes in BART’s history,” BART Board President James Fang said. “But through community involvement, non-biased professional assistance from the outside of BART and of course the extremely strong effort by our Board, particularly the efforts of Carole Ward Allen, we have learned from this tragic incident. Our prayers and deepest sympathies go to the Grant family on this inauspicious one-year anniversary of Oscar Grant’s death.”
“We want to thank the Grant family and the public for their support, which has been critical to making the reforms underway in the Police Department and we look forward to their continued support in the new year,” Director Ward Allen said.
On January 1, 2010 BARET issued the following press release:
BART Police Have Arrest-free New Year’s Eve
BART had an arrest-free New Year’s Eve despite dealing with crowded trains and the one-year anniversary of the shooting death of passenger Oscar Grant III in Oakland on Jan. 1, 2009.
BART carried about 87,800 passengers between 8 p.m. Thursday and 3 a.m. Friday, and carried about 302,800 passengers throughout the day, according to agency officials.
Many of the passengers were traveling to the annual fireworks show at San Francisco’s Embarcadero, where BART used a “skip-stop” schedule for the first time to alleviate overcrowding at its nearby station.
Starting at 8 p.m., trains on different lines skipped either the Embarcadero or Montgomery stations toallow the crowd to split evenly between the two stations, resulting in faster boarding times and less crowded platforms.
BART also assigned about 150 police officers, nearly 50 percent more than previous years, to patrol the system during the holiday. San Francisco and Oakland police officers and deputies from the San Francisco, Alameda and Contra Costa County sheriff’s departments also assisted near the stations during the evening.
There were a few isolated incidents on the system, but no arrests were made.
The relatively incident-free night stood in stark contrast to last year’s holiday, when former BART police Officer Johannes Mehserle shot and killed Grant, a 22-year-old Hayward man, at the Fruitvale station in Oakland. Mehserle, 27, and other officers had responded to reports of a fight on a train.
Mehserle has been charged with murder and is expected to stand trial sometime next year. His case has been moved to Los Angeles because a judge ruled it would be difficult for Mehserle to get a fair trial in Alameda County due to the extensive publicity the incident has received. Mehserle’s lawyer, Michael Rains, has admitted that Mehserle shot and killed Grant, but claims Mehserle meant to use his Taser to stun Grant and used his gun by mistake.
Grant’s family was among the people scheduled to attend a rally at the Fruitvale station at 2 p.m. today to mark the anniversary of Grant’s death.
BART General Manager Dorothy Dugger said in a statement that she was happy that this holiday turned out well for the agency.
“We couldn’t be more pleased at how this New Year’s Eve turned out,” Dugger said.
She thanked “our customers for continuing to put their faith in us to get them around the Bay Area quickly and safely.”
BART police Commander Daniel Hartwig said in a statement that, despite the few minor incidents, “New Year’s Eve 2009 was one of the smoothest I have ever seen in my nearly three decades at BART.”
“Fruitvale Station”
In the early hours of Jan. 1, 2009, Oscar Grant III, unarmed and lying face down on a subway platform in Oakland, Calif., was shot in the back by a white Bay Area Rapid Transit police officer. The incident, captured on video by onlookers, incited protest, unrest and arguments similar to those that would swirl around the killing of Trayvon Martin in Florida a few years later. The deaths of these and other African-American young men (Mr. Grant was 22) touch some of the rawest nerves in the body politic and raise thorny and apparently intractable issues of law and order, violence and race.
Fruitvale Station, Michael B. Jordan and Ariana Neal play father and daughter in this debut feature by Ryan Coogler, which opens on Friday in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Mr. Jordan plays Oscar Grant, who was killed by a Bay Area Rapid Transit police officer.
Those matters are hardly absent from “Fruitvale Station,” Ryan Coogler’s powerful and sensitive debut feature, which imaginatively reconstructs the last 24 or so hours of Oscar Grant’s life, flashing back from a horrifying snippet of actual cellphone video of the hectic moments before the shooting. But Mr. Coogler, a 27-year-old Bay Area native who went to film school at the University of Southern California, examines his subject with a steady, objective eye and tells his story in the key of wise heartbreak rather than blind rage. It is not that the movie is apolitical or disengaged from the painful, public implications of Mr. Grant’s fate. But everything it has to say about class, masculinity and the tricky relations among different kinds of people in a proudly diverse and liberal metropolis is embedded in details of character and place.
In 2013, the world was ready for Jason Collins’ announcement. Glenn Burke, above, lived in a totally different time.
The world is throwing a parade for Jason Collins, the 7-foot free-agent NBA center who came out last month. He was hugged by Oprah, celebrated by “Good Morning America,” and congratulated by President Obama.
But nobody seems to remember baseball’s Glenn Burke, who tried to come out nearly 40 years ago and was stuffed back in.
“How’s Jason Collins going to talk about being the first?” says Burke’s agent, Abdul-Jalil al-Hakim. “Glenn Burke was the first. And he wasn’t any free agent, either. He was in the lineup.”
Glenn Burke was a barrel-chested jokester, a singing, dancing, one-man cabaret. His teammates called him King Kong. In high school, the 6-foot Burke could dunk two basketballs at once, in street shoes. He roamed center field for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Oakland A’s in the late 1970s.
Burke was the pulse of the clubhouse. He wore a red jock. He’d jump in the backs of pink Rolls-Royces after games. He invented the high-five (with Dusty Baker). Oh, yes, he did.
He was as out as an athlete could be in the mid-1970s. It wasn’t that he was flaunting it. It was that he couldn’t keep it in.
“When we’d land at airports,” remembers Davey Lopes, the Dodgers’ second baseman. “There’d always be guys waiting for Glenn. We’d go our way and he’d go off on his merry way. We’d go to clubs and women would hand him their numbers. But he’d never call ’em. Didn’t matter to us. We loved him.”
In the famous 1977 Dodgers-Yankees World Series — starring Reggie Jackson, Thurman Munson, Steve Garvey, and Ron Cey — only one rookie cracked either starting lineup: Glenn Burke.
“Nobody tripped that he was gay,” says Burke’s longtime pal, Doug Harris, who produced the documentary “Out” about Burke in 2010. “The people who tripped off it were the Dodgers [management]. They didn’t want to talk about it. He was trying to tell the reporters, but they said they couldn’t write that stuff.”
“Out. The Glenn Burke Story”
The atmosphere in Burke’s time was far more hostile to gays than it is in Jason Collins’ time. Few gay characters in movies. No states where gay marriage was legal. “You couldn’t put [anything] gay in an ad or anything,” remembers al-Hakim. “That was a no-no. The reporters didn’t want to write it. You couldn’t go there.”
Glenn Burke was so out that the Dodgers’ front office finally called him in, laid a $75,000 check on the desk, and offered to pay for his wedding if he’d just get married — soon.
Burke started laughing.
“I guess you mean to a woman, right?”
Then he walked out, without the check.
“Glenn told me he wasn’t the first Dodger called in and presented a check,” says childhood friend Vince Trahan. “They’d done it with gay players before. The difference was Glenn didn’t take it.”
None of this helped his career. Nor did palling around with Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda’s colorfully gay son, Spunky, according to Burke’s 1995 autobiography, “Out at Home.”
But friends of Burke’s say they were never a couple, despite what you’ve read. “Glenn never had an intimate relationship with Tommy’s son,” says Trahan. “He wasn’t attracted to the real flamboyant types.”
Didn’t matter. Next thing Burke knew, early in the 1978 season, he was traded to pitiful Oakland, despite Lopes and others walking into the office of general manager Al Campanis to complain.
A year and a half later, during spring training, new A’s manager Billy Martin greeted Burke by sitting his team down in center field, pointing to Burke and saying, “Boys, this is Glenn Burke. He’s a f—–.”
That’s when everything stopped being so funny.
“In those days, a guy did one of two things when a friend was out,” says Lopes, now the Dodgers’ first-base coach. “He’d either support him, or the pendulum would swing the other way and he’d avoid him. A lot of ballplayers back then would stay away. Guys were afraid somebody would start saying the same thing about them.”
Cue the movie montage: Catcalls from fans. Latino players mumbling a gay slur in Spanish under their breath. Nobody within 20 feet of him in the showers.
Injured, he packed his bag for the minors — Utah to be exact.
To a partying gay ballplayer from Berkeley, a minor league team in Utah is hell on earth. Twenty-five games into the 1980 season, Burke and his tortured .237 batting average retired, after only four years in the major leagues.”Had he taken that check the Dodgers offered,” says Trahan, “his career would’ve gone on and on. He could’ve relaxed and played great baseball. But he wasn’t going to lie. He was going to be true to who he was.”
He was welcomed into The Castro as a conquering hero. “They can’t ever say now that a gay man can’t play in the majors,” he’d brag, “because I’m a gay man and I made it.”
But soon enough, he stopped making it. He became depressed. He became a cocaine addict. Then homeless. Then he contracted AIDS. He died in 1995, at 42. They buried King Kong in Oakland, under a small stone, grave No. 3171.
Jason Collins came out of the closet and was put on magazine covers. Glenn Burke came out and got covered up. The president never called.
“I’m happy for Jason Collins,” says Trahan. “But he wasn’t the first. He was the first in this new era, this new time of acceptance of gays, gay marriages, gays on TV, all that. He wasn’t the first. He was just the first who was listened to.”
You say Glenn Burke was born too soon, but that’s not exactly right. The problem was all the people born without the courage to stand up for a friend, a colleague, an employee.
Yes, Jason Collins was courageous to come out. But if others back then had the guts Glenn Burke had, Collins wouldn’t have needed courage at all.
KGO Radio Conversation On ”OUT. The Glenn Burke Story“
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