Indeed it was an awesome day. Empowering the Community was a success! Deacon Moses Felder has a vision.
And, that vision starts with giving our youth the best education available. That vision includes inspiring our community to think Academics first and then Athletics. So, we made part of that vision come to fruition June 29th. It was small scale today but, it was still a powerful day.
And the good news is...there will be an, "Empowering the Community II."
We had the honor of having the Gamecocks and the Benedict Tigers in our midst.
This was our way of getting the community young and old together to celebrate. This was our way of being inspirational and getting everyone excited about the endless possibilities of a great education and great performance on the field.
And, we wanted to show the young men and women in our community some positive role models...some local heroes. And, that is exactly what the Student Athletes of USC and Benedict provided for us. These young men and women were outstanding. They mingled and did very good job in interacting with our community.
They talked about their plight through high school and college, and right on to the present.
I want to thank USC's Erica Nelson and Benedict's Lorraine Dunbar. They worked so hard right along with me to bring these wonderful young people to the Edgewood Community.
I don't think I can give them enough credit for what they did and what they do every day to Advisors and Community Outreach Specialist.
Even at this event I saw them both having one on ones with their athletes. They mentored and tutored every chance they got. I can appreciate these ladies, and I parents would be lucky to have their kids in these ladies care. That in itself is powerful. I want to say I am proud to know them both.
I want to also give credit to all the Benedict Coaches who called our neighborhood home, and really interacted well with everyone. Thank you to Coach Fred Watson, Asst AD/Head Basketball Coach, Coach Gary Taylor, Coach James Graf, Coach Norman Richards, Coach Antwan Nicholes.
The evidence of what they are doing with these students was in how professional they were on Saturday. The Benedict Student-Athletes were perfect ambassadors for their school.
They articulated well. They blended with the attendees and made themselves right at home.
And, when the youngsters came up and asked for autographs they seemed just as thrilled as the youngsters in front of them. They stayed to the bitter end and promised to make it more than a one time thing.
While we continue to debate whether this generation is ready for the world, and ready to make the world a better place...there is no debate with these kids. I think we can count of this Benedict Group and USC Group leaving a mark of goodness behind.
Benedict Players:
Shaniqua Brown - Track & Field
Jasmine Stubbs --Basketball Jr
Maya Moore - Basketball Sr
Shaquille McCain - Track & Field
Tia Rankin - Basketball Jr
Chelese Pasante - Basketball Sr
Darryl Porchia - Football Sr
Analise. - Track & Field Sr
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| Deacon Felder, Mason Zandi, Sharrod Golightly, Carlton Geathers, Brenton Williams, Erica Nelson, and Pastor Noble |
I couldn't have asked for a better group of men. Now, we asked for Clowney or a more visible Gamecock Athlete but, we got was the best Student-Athletes in the city. God really knows who to send into your path.
USC Gamecocks: Mason Zandi Football, Sharrod Golightly, Football, Carlton Geathers, Mens Basketball, Brenton Williams, Mens Basketball
And, thanks so much to the Breakfast Club for above and beyond what I asked them to do. I couldn't have done it without them. Thanks so much to Piggly Wiggly, the Housing Authority, The Big DM, The Edgewood Foundation, Pastor Johnny Ray Noble, and Reverend Robinson for all of their help and support.
And, to Deacon Moses Felder. You are a visionary. You are one of a kind. I can't work hard enough for you. Thank you so much for opening the flood gates of heaven for us all here on earth.
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