Bases Loaded

Don't give in to stereotypes:

A topic of discussion for the media every year is the decline of blacks in baseball. It's generally followed by "canned" reasons such as not having a dad at home or not having enough baseball fields in their communities.

I tell you what. If you have a few good men in your community, you can take 12 black middle school aged boys from the south side of Chicago and put them on ESPN for the world to see that black boys DO play baseball.

Show up and be present, and for Pete's sake (whoever he is) please stop being a part of the problem with all of the excuses. Remember, if an idiot tells you the same thing over and over again for a year- you'll eventually believe it.

In order to win the game, you must rely on more than having fun. Baseball is a game that requires a lot of critical thinking and quick adjustments. There are lots of momentum shifts in baseball and you must be mentally focused in order to overcome adversity.

The boys from Chicago came to win and they played with a lot of respect and character. Their character was tested like all of the other teams the entire tournament. That's what this game does- baseball exposes character, then develops it.

Don't give up:

America didn't lose the Little League World Series. The world saw that black boys do play baseball in America and they play with character and resilience.

These courageous young men and coaches from JRW did their part; the bases are loaded. Now what are you going to do?

#LetsGo
#llws2014

Right Is Not White - It's Just Right

I've been a black male all 38 years of my life yet for most of my life I've been accused of "acting white" when I do what's right.

My parents raised me to respect others, say thank you and please. I still do those same things today because it's the right thing to do.

As a child, I was picked on for being polite and considerate of others because it wasn't the "cool thing" to do. I was also that kid at Grove Park Elementary School, Atlanta Public Schools with Vaseline on my face and IZOD shirts tucked into khaki pants that were firmly belted on my true waist. Let's just say that the teachers thought that I was handsome and my classmates called me lame. Before you feel sorry for me, know that I never had problems with bullies because I was a trendsetter.

During my school days, you were considered cool if you were loud and willing to physically fight every time somebody looked at you wrong.

That way of thinking was stupid in the 80's and 90's and is still stupid in 2014.

The reality is that I am still accused of "acting white" when I do what's right.

Hundreds of young men in the city of Atlanta have willingly submitted to growing up to do what's right. They aspire to live their lives governed by core values because it is ultimately the only way to live a life of peace.

In the meantime, they still get ridiculed for saying thank you and please.

I have four sentences of wisdom for anyone that is accused of "acting white" for doing what's right.

Put your trust in The Lord.

Continue to do what's right.

You lose when you do what's wrong.

Have mercy on your ridiculers, they'll need a job from you one day.

The 2025 Version of L.E.A.D. Ambassadors

Meet Ambassador Joseph McCrary; Savannah State University graduate/Magna Cum Laude (Accounting)

In order for Kelli and I to fully realize the power of L.E.A.D., it must be lived by you. What can you GUARANTEE that you will be doing in 2025 by the grace of God and the support of L.E.A.D.?

Will you have a job in 2025? If yes, where?

CPA with my own firm McCrary & Kitchens

What do you expect your minimum salary to be in 2025?

Minimum salary to be 85k

Will you be married by 2025?

Yes

Will you have children by 2025?

Yes

Will you pay tithe to your church in 2025?

Yes

Will you donate money to a favorite charity in 2025? If yes, how much money would you like to give to a charity per year? Keep your minimum salary in mind.

Would like to give back no less than 5K annually

Will you be a community leader in 2025? If yes, what city would you like to raise your family in?

I would raise my family in Atlanta, GA

Will you be a mentor in 2025? If yes, how many young men or women will you be responsible for helping graduate from high school by 2025?

at least 10 young men

How would you have answered these questions above when you were 16?

I could have answered the questions the same but not with as much conviction. I am slowly finding myself but believing in my abilities more and more day by day. Of course everything won't come overnight but I am a working progress and 2025 is ample time to get there.

Left to right: L.E.A.D. Ambassadors Joseph McCrary, Cedric Reed and Denzel Campbell showing off their Ambassadors Life Champions Rings by Jostens

Meet L.E.A.D. Ambassador Cedric Reed; Attending Georgia Highlands College

In order for Kelli and I to fully realize the power of L.E.A.D., it must be lived by you. What can you GUARANTEE that you will be doing in 2025 by the grace of God and the support of L.E.A.D.?

Will you have a job in 2025? If yes, where?

Yes sir, I will work for Microsoft or Google working with the math department in Los Angeles,CA as a Sales Excellence Analyst

What do you expect your minimum salary to be in 2025?

$222,990

Will you be married by 2025?

Yes

Will you have children by 2025?

Yes

Will you pay tithe to your church in 2025?

Yes

Will you donate money to a favorite charity in 2025? If yes, how much money would you like to give to a charity per year? Keep your minimum salary in mind.

Yes sir, $20,000

Will you be a community leader in 2025? If yes, what city would you like to raise your family in?

Atlanta, GA

Will you be a mentor in 2025? If yes, how many young men or women will you be responsible for helping graduate from high school by 2025?

Yes sir, and at a minimum 40,000 young men and women

How would you have answered these questions above when you were 16?

Will you have a job in 2025? If yes, where?

Yes, San Diego

What do you expect your minimum salary to be in 2025?

$1,000,000

Will you be married by 2025?

Yes

Will you have children by 2025?

Yes

Will you pay tithe to your church in 2025?

Yes

Will you donate money to a favorite charity in 2025? If yes, how much money would you like to give to a charity per year? Keep your minimum salary in mind.

Yes, 250,000

Will you be a community leader in 2025? If yes, what city would you like to raise your family in?

Yes, San Diego

Will you be a mentor in 2025? If yes, how many young men or women will you be responsible for helping graduate from high school by 2025?

Yes, over 100 students

L.E.A.D. Ambassador Cedric Reed checking out the new Porsche

Meet L.E.A.D. Ambassador Denzel Campbell; University of South Carolina-Beaufort graduate

In order for Kelli and I to fully realize the power of L.E.A.D., it must be lived by you. What can you GUARANTEE that you will be doing in 2025 by the grace of God and the support of L.E.A.D.?

With the support L.E.A.D. and faith in God I can guarantee that I will be reaching out to others who aspire to become better people for their families and communities. I want to share my story of choices and hard times that every young teenager in Atlanta can relate to.

Will you have a job in 2025? If yes, where?

Yes I will have a great job leading a team of multiple personalities, ethnicity, and core values with a goal in providing outstanding service for special events through local/major businesses, sports/entertainment and of course L.E.A.D.

What do you expect your minimum salary to be in 2025?

Minimum Salary: 40,000

Will you be married by 2025?

Married: Yes

Will you have children by 2025?

Yes

Will you pay tithe to your church in 2025?

Most certainly

Will you donate money to a favorite charity in 2025? If yes, how much money would you like to give to a charity per year? Keep your minimum salary in mind.

Yes I will donate money to L.E.A.D. because of it's foundation with great leaders, growth throughout the city of Atlanta, and success with helping at risk youth reach their goals. It's training with constant empowerment on and off the field from professionals across the board has led me on a journey where I refuse to look back. Minimum donation including salary considerations would be $1,000 annually.

Will you be a community leader in 2025? If yes, what city would you like to raise your family in?

I plan to be a community leader not just locally but throughout the region and as far as our message will travel while raising my family on the far countryside north of Atlanta. But I don't have any preference in regards to where I will live. Baseball has allowed me to travel and meet so many great individuals that may have a lot to offer.

Will you be a mentor in 2025? If yes, how many young men or women will you be responsible for helping graduate from high school by 2025?

Now and throughout my life I will be enjoying mentoring young children and teenagers across the globe because it's just the right thing to do. Each person deserves a opportunity to seek out their dreams in everyday possible. Not every person has that access to a mentor, leader, family member, or even friend. That's why I volunteered myself in 2008 with L.E.A.D. to reach out to as many hands that's willing to hold on.

How would you have answered these questions above when you were 16?

At 16 I don't think I would have had the same ideas or focus that I have today. It would have been difficult for me to understand the purpose of being a mentor and giving back when all I saw and heard about was negativity through my local community and sometimes family. The mind begins to drift to other things that don't involve education or sports. Even the little things like using such words that mean much more when wrapped around a sentence of ideas.

L.E.A.D. Ambassador Denzel Campbell with the Atlanta Braves cap

Easy as 1, 2, 3 or as difficult as 1, 2, 3

C.J. Stewart: What are the top three life skills that you developed as a L.E.A.D. Ambassador that you still use today?

Ambassador Mendez Elder (Grady HS/Savannah State Univ.): Responsibility, preparation and how to speak in a professional way.

Ambassador Wesley Clements (B.E. Mays HS/Atlanta Metropolitan College): Positive relationships, leadership and cooperation.

From left to right: L.E.A.D. Ambassador Mendez Elder (Grady HS, c/o 2011, Savannah State Univ.), U.S. Ambassador Andrew Young, Rev. Joseph Lowry, L.E.A.D. Ambassador Wesley Clements (B.E. Mays HS, c/o 2012, Paine College/Atlanta Metropolitan College)

C.J. Stewart: What are the top three things that distracted you as a L.E.A.D. Ambassador?

Ambassador Mendez Elder (Grady HS/Savannah State Univ.): Procrastination, math and females.

Ambassador Wesley Clements (B.E. Mays HS/Atlanta Metro College): Lack of focus, lack of communication and lack of prioritizing.

Photos by Pouya Dianat from the 2012 MLB Civil Rights Game at Turner Field

The next John Kincade could be a L.E.A.D. Ambassador

C.J. Stewart: Who did you have the opportunity to be mentored by Wednesday, July 30th?

Ambassador Wesley Clements (Benjamin E. Mays High School): I had the opportunity to be mentored by John Kincade from 680 The Fan.

C.J. Stewart: How would you describe John Kincade with one word?

Ambassador Wesley Clements: Influential.

C.J. Stewart: How do you describe John Kincade's job?

Ambassador Wesley Clements: I would describe his job as a very creative atmosphere. It is fun but challenging and requires good communication skills.

C.J. Stewart: What are three ways that you and John Kincade connect?

Ambassador Wesley Clements: We connected mentally and we both set plans before we put things in motion. John and I both prefer to arrive to the event/occasion early. We are both able to think on the fly.

C.J. Stewart: After spending time with John Kincade, what are three things that you are now inspired to do?

Ambassador Wesley Clements: Stay in school and receive my college degree. Gain internships with radio stations and become a national radio host.

Wesley prepping for the show with John Kincade and Jonathan Chadwick 

C.J. Stewart: What is your message to Atlanta Public Schools males after spending time at 680 The Fan today?

Ambassador Wesley Clements: Don't be afraid to be yourself because just by you being you, you can open many doors in your life.