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From YouTube: No Books No Ball 25th Anniversary Gala
Description
Political and community leaders gather at the Royale Nightclub to celebrate the 25th anniversary of No Books No Ball. The program teaches children sportsmanship and academic aptitude through teamwork, coaching and mentoring provided by volunteer role models. Mayor Walsh accepts an award from the group and presents a citation to its founder, Tony Richards Jr. Other award recipients included Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins and former State Representative Gloria Fox.
A
Ladies
and
gentlemen,
my
name
is
Karen
Holmes
ward
from
WCVB
TV
Channel,
five
City
Line
program,
and
it
is
my
pleasure
to
welcome
you
to
the
no
books.
No
ball
awards
gala
tonight
it's
an
evening
of
fun,
entertainment
and,
of
course,
it's
a
celebration
tonight.
We
are
celebrating
25
years
of
the
no
books,
no
ball
basketball
program
being
in
existence.
25
years.
Let's
clap
for
that.
A
Now
many
of
you
know
that
this
program
is
a
broad-based
community
action
initiative
that
teaches
children's
sportsmanship
athletic
prowess
and
academic
aptitude
through
teamwork.
Coaching
and
mentoring
provided
by
civic
minded,
volunteer
role
models.
The
student
athletes
through
this
program
develop
high
self-esteem
confidence
and
a
greater
appreciation
for
the
importance
of
education
in
achieving
the
American
Dream,
and
we
thank
you
all
for
joining
us
here
tonight.
We
want
to
take
this
moment
to
send
out
a
special
shout
out
to
our
sponsors.
Who've
made
this
evening
possible.
A
A
Now,
if
you're
on
social
media,
we
want
to
encourage
you
to
tweet
throughout
the
evening
using
the
hashtag
hashtag
25
years
in
B
in
B,
that's
hashtag,
25
years
in
B
in
B,
and
also
be
sure
to
post
photos
from
this
evening
to
the
notebook
snowball
basketball
program.
Facebook
page
now,
let's
have
some
fun
spread
the
word
to
help
bring
more
awareness
to
the
program.
We
all
know
that
it
takes
a
village
to
raise
a
child,
and
we
know
that
progress
in
business
and
entrepreneurship
requires
a
wide
and
deep
network.
A
As
such,
it
takes
a
network
and
continual
commitment
to
ensure
the
sustainability
of
a
program.
Just
like
this.
We
have
some
wonderful
awards
that
we
want
to
give
out
this
evening
to
people
who
have
made
this
program
a
success
over
the
year
tonight.
The
basketball
program
recognizes
several
individuals
for
their
commitment
to
the
program's
ongoing
success.
Our
first
award
category
is
the
community
impact
Excellence
Award
and
our
first
Award
recipient
is
a
lifelong
champion
of
working
people
and
a
proud
product
of
the
City
of
Boston.
A
His
vision
is
for
a
thriving,
healthy
and
innovative
Boston,
a
city
of
Boston
with
equality
and
opportunity
for
all
we're.
A
revolutionary
history
inspires
creative
solutions
to
the
challenges
of
now
the
21st
century.
Since
taking
office,
he
has
focused
on
strengthening
Boston
schools,
led
Boston
to
the
forefront
of
the
global
innovation
economy,
created
the
office
of
financial
empowerment,
founded
the
cities
of
opportunity
task
force
at
the
US
Conference
of
Mayors
created
the
office
of
recovery
services,
the
city's
first
cultural
planned
just
to
name
a
few
accomplishments.
A
He
was
born
and
raised
in
Dorchester
by
immigrant
parents,
he's
driven
to
make
sure
Boston
is
a
city
where
anyone
anyone
can
overcome
their
challenges
and
fulfill
their
dreams,
and
he
remains
in
Dorchester,
with
longtime
partner,
Laurie
Higgins
mayor
Martin,
J
Walsh,
for
your
unwavering
commitment
to
the
mission
of
no
book
snowball.
We
present
you
with
the
community
impact
excellence.
A
real
word.
B
Thank
you
very
much.
Karen
and
I
want
to
I
want
to
thank
Tony
and
Vince,
and
everyone
that
notebook
snowballs,
I'm
honored
to
be
recognized
tonight.
You
know
I'll
get
into
that
in
a
minute.
I
also
want
to
just
I
know.
A
couple
of
people
didn't
recognize
that
I'm
going
to
mention,
but
Chef
Steve
Tompkins,
is
here.
I
want
to
thank
sheriff
Tompkins.
B
He's
doing
a
job
that
is
perfect
for
what
we're
trying
to
do
in
our
city
of
Boston
and
again
in
the
Commonwealth
of
Massachusetts
I,
wish
other
sheriffs
took
what
he
was
doing
here
and
passed
it
around
as
far
as
creating
opportunities
for
re-entry
and
programs
to
help
people
he's
got
an
incredible
job.
So
I
want
to
thank
you,
Sheriff
what
you
do
every
day,
I.
B
Want
to
give
a
shout
out
to
my
former
colleague
in
house
representative
Andre
Cavallo
representa,
thank
you
for
being
here
with
us
today.
I
also
want
to
give
a
shout
out
so
my
old
girlfriend
in
the
House
of
Representatives.
You
know
we
didn't
talk
about
to
run
the
campaign.
Cuz
I
didn't
want
to
get
out,
but
now
now
that
she's
retired
your
target
wow,
that's
quite
a
foxy
down.
There
is
mo
thank
you
that
was
mo.
B
She
was
the
best
she
did
didn't
mince
words
with
me:
I'll
tell
you
that
from
the
Boston
Police
Department
she
flew
across
the
sea,
I
think
achieve
cross
for
the
great
work
you
do
and
one
last
acknowledgement.
The
other
night
on
City
Hall
plaza.
We
had
an
incredible
free
concert
with
bel
Biv
DeVoe
Michael's
here
and
I
want
to
take
Michael
guys.
I'd
say
they
were
unbelievable,
with
the
people
in
Boston
pumped
up
and
excited.
So
thank
you.
B
This
is
an
honor
for
me
because
my
first
time
going
to
no
books,
no
balls
I
was
I
think
it
was
my
first
year
as
mayor.
I
might
have
been
to
campaign
beforehand
and
I.
Wonder
and
I
saw
Tony
and
I
saw
one
of
the
guys
that
coach
with
Tony-
and
you
know
a
lot
of
them-
I
bill,
hey
guys,
Charlie
from
the
competence
here,
and
a
lot
of
people
were
police
officers.
A
lot
of
kids
are
just
kids
on
the
corner
and
and
I
saw
something
special
there.
B
B
I
probably
don't
deserve
this,
because
in
a
lot
of
us
that
are
getting
awards
tonight,
I
know
we
deserve
it
for
different
reasons,
but
we're
not
the
ones
tying
our
shoes,
every
every
you've
sat
in
and
doing
these
coaching,
these
on
the
sidelines,
with
the
kids
and
and
being
the
positive
role
model,
so
I
just
want
to
say
to
all
the
positive
role
models
in
this
room.
Thank
you.
B
Thank
you,
for
you
do
every
single
day,
thank
you
for
for
coaching
I
coached
a
long
time
and
it's
a
thankless
job
in
a
lot
of
ways,
but
for
us
personally
individually.
It's
a
rewarding
job
because
you
get
a
chance
to
to
show
kids
how
to
play
sports,
but
all
that
not
only
that,
but
be
men
and
women
and
teach
them
that,
and
for
me
years
later,
seeing
a
lot
of
those
young
kids
that
I
coach
being
working
in
City
Hall
with
me.
B
It's
an
honor
because
they
get
a
chance
to
see
that
at
least
had
a
little
bit
of
an
impact
in
their
life
when
I
was
growing
up
as
a
coach
and
but
but
they've
dumped
go
out
to
do
great
things.
Many
of
you
who
are
coaches
in
this
room
and
involved
with
this
program,
you're
gonna,
help
young
people
achieve
their
goals.
You're
gonna
help
young
people
shoot
for
the
stars
and
that's
what
we
need
to
do.
You
know
we
don't
know.
B
If
they've
got
me
the
next
Bell
Biv,
DeVoe,
Michael,
Billings
or
who
they're
gonna
be
but
we're
gonna.
We
have
to
continue
to
do
that.
If
we
hold
young
people
accountable,
we
see
a
payoff
for
them.
You
see
it
the
schools
that
are
doing
well,
that
when
schools
are
doing
well,
we
hold
young
people
accountable.
We
certainly
make
a
difference
in
their
lives
and
that's
what
we
have
to
continue
to
do.
No
books,
no
brawls
works,
throw
as
many
goals
and
and
they're
working
with
me
as
well.
B
One
of
the
big
partners
for
us
in
with
my
brother's
keeper
is
no
book.
No
balls,
President
Obama
in
2015
brought
a
bunch
of
us
meds
down
to
Washington
and
he
said
I'm
styling.
The
program
called
my
brother's
keeper
and
I
got
excited
when
I
heard
it
because
he
talked
about
young
men
of
having
opportunities
and
he
talked
about.
We
talked
on
the
very
beginning
which
he
didn't
really
talk
about,
after
that
was
the
impact
on
slavery
on
young
people
still
hundreds
of
years
later.
B
That's
how
this
idea
of
my
brother's
keeper
started,
and
then
you
talked
about
underperformance
and
I.
Remember,
whispering
in
his
ear
back
in
2015
I
miss.
Mr.
president,
this
program
is
going
to
be
strong
in
Boston
long
after
you
leave
the
office
and
the
program
that
we're
trying
to
do
is
making
sure
that
young
men
have
boys
of
color
black
and
brown
boys
have
opportunities.
We
keep
talking
about
the
achievement
gap.
We
keep
talking
about
wealth.
B
We
keep
talking
about
all
the
negative
stuff
or
if
all
we
do
is
talk
about
negative
stuff
in
the
in
the
neighborhoods,
where
African
American
kids
are
Latino.
Kids
are,
then,
what
do
you
expect
them
to
be
thinking?
Negative
stuff?
No
books.
No
balls
is
our
partner
for
a
reason,
because
it's
not
about
promoting
negative
stuff.
It's
about
promoting
positive
play,
positive
attitude,
making
sure
that
our
young
people
prepared
for
the
next
generation.
B
So
I
am
honored
to
be
here
today
because
it
takes
a
village,
and
our
village
is
right
here
in
Boston,
and
our
village
is
right
here
and
the
men
behind
me
who
I
want
to
bring
up
here.
Tony
Richards
I
want
to
give
him
a
recognition
in
honor
of
his
commitment
to
the
leadership
within
notebook,
snowball
program
and
appreciation
of
your
dedication
to
mentorship
and
youth
development
in
our
community.
B
Thank
you
for
everything
that
you
do
you
and
your
family
should
be
proud
of
all
your
hard
work
and,
on
behalf
of
the
city
of
Boston,
I,
want
to
wish
you
the
best
in
all
of
your
future
endeavors,
but
it
means
more
this,
and
the
last
thing
I
want
to
say
is
that
look
around
animal
thing
away.
Anyone
from
the
press
here
we
besides
Karen
any
club
power.
Reporters
TV
cameras,
all
right,
let's
spread
around
tweet
like
there's.
Something
could
happen
in
Boston
where.
C
A
A
The
sheriff
is
an
engaged
community
leader
as
chair
of
the
advisory
board
of
Broca,
incorporated
as
a
member
of
the
my
brother's
keeper
initiative
and
the
Boston
private
industry
council.
He
served
as
former
board
chair
of
the
Sportsman's
Tennis
Club
and
former
member
of
the
board
of
City
Year
Boston
he's
also
president
of
the
Massachusetts
sheriffs
Association.
He
holds
a
bachelor's
from
Boston
College
and
a
master's
from
UMass
Boston
completed
the
lead
Boston
program
in
2004
and
is
alumnus
of
the
executive
session
on
Community
Corrections
at
the
Harvard
Kennedy
School
of
Government
sheriff
Steve
Tompkins.
D
Well
now
we
got
to
feel
you
up
here.
Listen.
First
and
foremost,
let
me
say
this
love
an
echo.
What
the
mayor
said
about
what
Tony
and
this
organization
is
doing
with
that
stand.
These
guys
are
doing
the
more
kids
that
stay
with
them
means
the
fewer
kids
that
will
come
and
see
me,
and
we
absolutely
do
not
about
our
kids
in
the
joy
come
on.
Let
me
know
for
that.
D
The
mayor
for
Toyota
the
mayor's
advance,
no
ball,
no
books,
it's
very
important
I'm
not
going
to
be
long,
but
let
me
say
this
to
you:
the
American
Dream,
you
remember,
the
American
Dream
were
little
kids
and
you
get
you
grow
up.
You
go
to
college,
you
get
a
house,
you
get
married,
you
get
a
dog,
you
get
a
car
that
doesn't
work
that
is
lost
and
a
lot
of
people.
Unfortunately,
a
lot
of
low
income
and
moderate
income
people
have
not
had
an
opportunity
to
realize
the
American
dream.
D
D
D
We
are
our
brothers
and
sisters,
keeper
sorts
and
coming
upon
us
to
make
sure
that
we
take
care
of
our
youth,
that
we
take
care
of
our
seniors,
that
we
take
care
of
our
communities
and
look
at
Iona
fitted
to
a
heavy,
democratic
or
republican
thing,
but
I'ma
go
into
it
anyway.
I
can't
even
say
the
name
so
number
45,
that's
down
in
DC
I,
just
don't
get
the
brother
I,
don't
understand
and
with
the
globe
being
so
small
and
with
all
the
turmoil
that
we
rely
around
the
globe.
D
F
D
A
Our
third
Award
recipient
for
the
Community
Impact
Excellence
Award
was
an
active
Democratic
member
of
the
Massachusetts
House
of
Representatives,
representing
this
seventh
sukuk
district
from
1985
until
2017.
She
spent
her
adult
life
advocating
for
human,
social
and
economic
development
issues
for
those
constituents
who
needed
to
be
heard.
Miss
Gloria
Foxx
was
raised
as
a
foster
child.
This
experience
propelled
her
into
her
advocacy
for
the
concerns
of
children
and
families,
as
demonstrated
by
her
membership
in
the
Massachusetts
legislature,
foster
kid
coalition
and
former
member
of
the
governor's
Blue
Ribbon
Commission
on
foster
care.
A
Her
work
in
these
areas
led
to
significant
implemented
reforms
in
the
Department
of
Children
and
Families
foster
care
program.
Miss
Foxx
is
the
proud
mother
of
two
sons
and
currently
assists
in
the
raising
of
her
five
grandchildren
and
she
lives
by
her
life
motto
that
was
said
by
Marian
Anderson.
If
you
have
a
purpose
in
which
you
can
believe,
there's
no
end
to
the
amount
of
things
you
can
accomplish
and
please
take
the
time
to
read
more
about
Foxy's
background
in
the
program
book.
A
G
H
H
Nia
is
in
the
house
with
me
today.
My
daughter-in-law
Robin
Booker
is
in
the
house
as
well
joining
me
today,
Robin
Raisa,
here,
honey.
Thank
you.
I
have
a
number
of
table
guests.
Friends
raise
your
hands,
please
that
have
been
joining
me
for
most
of
the
afternoon.
Michael
I
see
you,
you
know
we
do
a
number
of
things.
Sometimes
he
calls
me
his
auntie,
so
I'm
pleased
to
be
at
the
same
award
event
that
my
friend
is
receiving
his
award
as
well.
Congratulations
to
you,
my
brother.
H
Si
it's
all
good,
nothing
better
than
public
housing
where
it
gives
people
a
chance
to
be
an
affordable
housing
that
is
clean
and
safe,
and
when
we
came
up
and
were
doing
work
in
our
communities,
people
work
together
as
families
in
all
of
the
housing
developments.
I
missed
those
days.
Don't
you?
Yes,
we
don't.
You
know
it
is
a
joy
and
a
pleasure
to
not
only
receive
this
award
from
one
of
my
favorite
organization.
H
But
you
know
what
I
mean
kids
can't
play
before
they
learn
and
it's
a
positive
positive
thing
that
the
brothers
behind
me,
hugging
me
and
holding
me
closely-
are
here
every
single
day
to
work
with
our
young
men.
I've
got
two
sons
and
three
grandsons
that
I'm
blessed
to
say
have
had
some
wonderful
mentors
in
their
life.
H
The
gentleman
that
worked
with
this
program
of
the
mentors
that
our
young
men
in
women
need,
as
a
matter
of
fact,
it
is
a
pleasure
to
receive
this
award
in
behalf
of
all
of
the
folks
that
are
doing
so
much
work
in
the
Greater
Roxbury
community
and
in
the
african-american
community,
all
over
the
Commonwealth
I.
Thank
you
so
much
from
the
bottom
of
my
heart.
Thank
you.
Peace.
A
A
Well,
Toni,
we
have
some
citations
for
you
come
on
up.
This
is
from
the
city
of
Boston
City
Council,
an
official
resolution
for
no
books,
no
ball
25th
anniversary
awards,
gala,
be
it
for
the
result
that
the
Boston
City
Council.
It
sends
us
best
wishes
for
continued
success,
that
this
resolution
be
duly
signed
by
the
president
of
the
City
Council
and
attested
to
and
a
copy
thereof
transmitted
by.
The
clerk
of
the
city
of
Boston,
signed
Michelle
woo,
president
of
the
Boston
City
Council.
A
And
this
one
from
the
Commonwealth
of
Massachusetts
notebook
snowball
on
behalf
of
the
citizens
of
the
Commonwealth
of
Massachusetts
I,
am
pleased
to
confer
upon
you
this
governor
citation
in
recognition
of
your
25
years
of
dedicated
service
to
youth
in
the
Boston
and
Greater
Boston
communities.
Given
this
26th
day
of
September
in
the
year
2017
signed
by
lieutenant
governor
Karyn
Polito
and
governor
Charles
D
Baker.
A
Wow
our
second
award
category
is
in
the
service
excellence
award,
and
the
first
award
in
this
category
is
a
duo
Larry
and
Deborah
Higginbottom,
our
founder
CEO
and
president
of
the
Osiris
group
respectively.
The
asyraf
was
formed
to
begin
the
process
of
resurrecting
the
black
community
by
strengthening
the
black
family.
The
family
structure
was
first,
an
institution
from
God
to
man
designed
to
provide
some
pretty
basic
functions.
A
Man
who
was
to
be
at
the
head
of
these
institution
had
three
significant
roles:
lead
his
family
provide
for
the
family,
and
man
was
to
protect
his
family,
while
the
asyraf
offers
to
the
black
community,
culturally
competent
mental
health
practitioners
who
practice
their
craft
from
an
afro
centric
paradigm.
The
group
believes
that
the
psychological,
emotional
and
spiritual
needs
can
best
be
served
by
individuals
who
reflect
the
ethnicity
of
the
clients
that
they
serve.
A
The
practitioners
of
the
Osiris
group
believe
that
our
focus
should
be
on
living
in
the
present
without
allowing
paths,
human
deficits
to
become
permanent
stumbling
blocks,
and
tonight
we
honor
Larry
and
Deborah
Higginbotham
for
their
unwavering
commitment
to
the
mission
of
no
books,
no
ball
and
they're,
not
here.
At
the
moment,
but
we
want
to
present
them
with
the
servants.
Excellence,
Award
and
Tony
will
be
accepting
it
on
their
behalf.
G
Thank
you.
Thank
you
on
behalf
of
w
now
Larry
Higginbottom,
the
two
individuals
that
have
always
supported
me
financially
anytime,
that
I
needed
a
financial
gap
to
be
filled
to
take
kids
to
camp
summer
basketball
camp.
They
were
always
above
and
beyond
forth,
willing
to
without
question
cut
me
a
check
and
I
and
I.
Think
that's
what
keeps
my
drive
going,
that
those
that
are
willing
to
believe
when
the
things
that
I
do
and
financially
help
me
when
I
know
when
they
know
that
there's
shortfalls
and
gaps
that
we
often
find
existence
in
our
pathway.
A
Our
second
award
recipient
is
a
third-generation
pawnbroker
and
is
the
president
and
owner
of
Empire
loaned
through
his
efforts.
Empire
loan
has
worked
tirelessly
to
shed
the
industry's
outdated
image
and
bring
empires
services
and
offerings
into
a
new
era.
Empire
loan
is
committed
to
giving
back
to
the
communities
in
which
they
operate.
In
2011
Michael
and
his
wife
Allison
created
the
Empire
loan
Charitable
Foundation
and
to
date
the
foundation
has
contributed
to
dozens
of
local
nonprofits
in
all
seven
cities
in
which
they
operate,
Michael
Goldstein.
I
Loved
basketball
growing
up
and
I
would
tell
people
that
when
I
walked,
when
I
would
walk
home
from
school
frequently,
my
number
one
concern
walking
home
was
whether
or
not
I'd
be
able
to
shoot
10
for
10
from
the
free-throw
line.
Minh
my
backyard
basketball
hoop.
That
was
my
number
one
concern
now:
I'm,
not
gonna
paint
some
comic
book,
dystopian
picture
of
chaos
and
calamity
in
the
neighborhoods
of
Boston.
I
The
way
the
idiot
in
the
White
House
has,
and
for
many
of
you
who
know
me
I,
toned
that
language
down
a
lot
but
I
do
think
it's
fair
to
say
that
some
of
the
kids
in
the
no
books
no
ball
program
when
they
walk
home
from
school.
They
have
a
little
bit
more
on
their
minds
and
shooting
10
for
10
from
the
line
some
of
your
kids
walking
home.
As
we
know,
we'll
get
to
a
hem
that
might
be
experiencing
some
food
insecurity.
I
They
may
not
even
be
able
to
make
it
to
back-to-school
night
or
parent-teacher
conferences,
because
when
you're
working
as
hard
as
they
are
to
put
food
on
the
table
and
a
roof
overhead,
they
have
to
prioritize
work
over
sometimes
these
school
meetings.
But
it
doesn't
mean
that
these
parents
have
less
love
for
their
kids
than
my
parents.
I
Did
it's
just
a
reality
and
yeah
in
addition
to
that,
some
of
the
kids
are
walking
home
and
they're
thinking
about
some
of
the
neighborhoods
that
they
may
need
to
avoid
or
some
streets
that
they
made
to
avoid,
because
there
might
be
some
trouble
on
the
streets,
they
might
be
avoiding
some
bangs
and
we
have
to
be
realistic
and
understanding
that
some
of
the
kids
coming
home.
They
might
join
a
gang
someday
and
they
might
get
involved
with
activities
that
we'd.
Rather
they
didn't.
I
So
isn't
it
fantastic
that
Tony
and
Vance,
and
some
of
the
other
founders
and
early
supporters
of
no
books
no
bomb
figured
out
a
way
to
marry
the
the
kids
love
of
basketball
with
the
equally
important
goal
of
getting
good
grades.
So
for
a
few
hours,
every
Saturday
and
a
few
hours
of
practice
during
the
week
and
a
few
hours
of
work
during
the
week
they
get
to
enjoy
camaraderie
of
their
teammates.
I
They
get
to
experience
winning
some
games
and,
on
occasion,
losing
some
games,
but
they
don't
get
to
do
any
of
it
if
they
don't
keep
the
books
open
and
grades
passing.
So
finally,
I
just
want
to
say
you
don't
have
to
grow
up
a
young
black
person
in
this
country
to
get
a
sense
of
the
injustice.
That's
been
perpetuated
on
young
black
men
and
women
for
centuries.
You
just
have
to
open
your
eyes.
I
A
Thank
you,
Michael.
The
next
award
recipient
has
been
instrumental
in
the
success
of
his
clients,
while
always
ensuring
the
community
benefits
and
give
back
are
included
in
every
project
that
his
company
consults
on
he's,
advocated
and
garnered
support
and
obtained
approval
of
funds
to
build
the
Dearborn
middle
school
in
Roxbury,
introduced
MetroPCS
to
the
community
and
built
offices
in
several
community
locations.
He
helped
establish
the
first
financial
institution
in
the
Roxbury
community
in
25
years.
The
Tremont
Credit
Union.
A
Currently
bill
is
working
on
a
number
of
projects,
including
the
development
of
Tremont
crossing
with
p3
partners
and
Winthrop
square
with
millennium
partners.
He
is
a
retired
teacher
of
25
years
for
the
Boston
Public
School
System
and
resides
in
Boston
with
his
lovely
wife,
Cassandra
William,
a
Moran,
the
third
president
and
CEO
of
bill
Moran
&
Associates.
We
thank
you
for
your
unwavering
commitment
to
the
mission
of
no
book
snowball
and
we
present
you
with
the
service
Excellence
Award.
J
I'm
as
nervous
as
anyone
so
I
had
a
right
mind.
So
so
I
just
want
to
say,
God
has
provided
me.
We
saw
them
opportunities
to
make
a
difference
where
the
mentoring,
young
people
working
with
our
seniors
or
an
advocate
for
our
communities,
are
just
some
of
the
joys
I
experience
every
day
as
a
product
of
Roxbury
rented
by
so
many
communities
like
Miss,
Harris
and
Harry
Wilson
I've
learned
an
early
age.
How
important
it
is
to
each
other
wherever
possible.
All
it
takes
a
helpful
hand
extended
for
each
of
us
to
make
a
difference.
J
I
am
blessed
to
be
in
a
position
to
extend
my
hand,
I
want
to
thank
p3
partners
million
partners
to
my
incredible
team,
the
brothers
committee
for
working
with
me
to
achieve
hope,
opportunity
for
young
people
in
our
community,
my
family,
my
wife,
Cassie
my
best
friend
for
all
the
love
and
support,
and
believing
in
me
thank
you,
t,
rich
and
no
bulk,
snowball
and
incredible
honor
to
receive.
Thank
you.
A
Our
final
award
recipient
served
in
the
United
States
Marine
Corps
during
the
Vietnam
War.
When
he
returned
to
Boston
in
1969.
He
saw
a
need
to
help
kids
in
his
neighborhood
struggling
with
drugs
and
violence,
understanding
how
the
military
helped
him
to
shape
his
values.
He
co-founded
the
Boston
Raiders
youth,
football
and
cheerleading
program,
determined
to
teach
life
skills
to
young
people.
The
program
is
a
nonprofit
Pop
Warner
football
and
cheerleading
organization,
which
taught
football
and
cheerleading
fundamentals
to
urban
city,
children
in
Boston,
ranging
between
the
ages
of
6
and
14
years
old.
A
The
organization
has
mentored
and
coached
many
many
children
for
over
40
years.
Mr.
Wilson
also
founded
the
Roxbury
basketball
association
in
early
1974,
a
league
of
professional
basketball
players
in
the
community
and
served
as
ABA
a
high
school
in
college
referee
for
over
30
years,
Harry
Wilson
graduated
from
Boston
State
College,
which
is
now
UMass
Boston
and
continues
to
live
in
Boston
with
his
wife
of
over
50
years
Linda,
and
they
have
four
children,
Kerry
Wilson.
A
K
Everybody
here,
I
love,
you
all
I
know
you
all
I
cannot
remember:
everybody's
name,
Michael,
Bivins,
I'll,
never
forget
you.
I
should
have
called
a
technical
foul
on
you
in
the
shootout,
because
you
grabbed
that
board,
but
because
I
love,
you
I,
let
you
play
but
I
have
a
story
for
everybody
here,
but
unfortunately
I
don't
have
the
time
so
I
want
to
say
and
I
want
witnesses.
Tony
Richards.
If
you
ever
call
my
house
again,
it
better
be
to
leave
the
three
turkeys
at
the
front
door.
F
G
Just
couldn't
let
Harry
leave
without
saying
that
you
know
everything
and
I've
modeled,
no
books
on
ball
on
25
years
ago,
with
struggles
that
I
had
we're
trying
to
make
tomorrow
in
the
next
day
better,
and
there
were
some
challenges.
If
you're
in
the
recreation
world
like
Miss
Harris
is
my
recreation
mother,
Harry
Wilson
is
my
recreation,
father
and
I've,
always
confide
with
them
to
try
to
how
to
make
tomorrow
better.
G
But
when
I,
when
he
told
me
that
earlier
and
I
called
him
an
accident
which
he's
still
on
the
schedule
for
coming
out,
because
he,
the
type
of
guy
I'd
like
to
be
out
in
the
front
row-
and
he
told
me,
listen
man
this
better,
be
the
last
time
you
called
my
phone
and
I
and
I
and
I.
Just
jokingly,
said
to
him.
I
said
H
man
I
said
this
is
gonna,
be
the
last
time.
I
call
you,
but
you
know
just
H.
G
A
All
right,
our
final
category
is
the
legacy
excellence
award.
This
award
is
given
to
this
individual,
whose
unwavering
support
of
the
notebook
snowball
basketball
program,
never
falters.
This
awardee
was
born
and
raised
in
this
community
and
has
never
forgotten
where
he
comes
from
and
continues
to
give
back.
He
answers
the
call
for
support,
no
matter
what
the
circumstances
Michael
L
Bivens
is
a
founding
member
of
the
new
addition
and
Bell
Biv
DeVoe
BBD.
A
He
has
been
a
longtime
supporter
and
community
mentor
to
Boston's
youth.
He
sponsored
numerous
talent,
shows
basketball,
leagues,
tournaments,
various
community
events,
summer
camps,
turkey,
blessings
for
the
city
of
Boston
I.
Think
I
met
him
back
in
WI
LD
days
when
I
was
on
the
radio
there,
Mike's
support
and
allegiance
to
Boston
and
its
neighborhoods
have
become
evident.
Despite
his
humble
beginnings,
Michael
L
Bivens
as
a
silent
hero
in
the
community.
F
L
You
know
this
is
so
many
people
I
have
to
think
in
my
life.
You
know
before
I
got
to
no
books,
no
ball
and
just
to
be
here.
I'm
39
I'll
be
50,
August,
10th
next
and
I'm
going
to
try
to
do
a
gallon.
Just
like
this.
For
my
birthday
and
all
of
you
are
welcome
all
right.
This
should
remember
that
Center
downtown
we
gonna
get
down
on
all
this
Center,
but
I
would
just
like
to
say
that
you
know
to
my
mom.
You
know
miss
Shirley
Billings,
that's
you
know,
that's
that's
my
reward.
L
You
know
we
talked
about
everything
you
know
my
father
wasn't
in
my
career,
so
the
stuff
I
would
say
to
a
man
I
had
to
say
to
a
women
and
the
stuff
that
a
woman
normally
wouldn't
say
to
a
son.
She
had
to
give
it
to
me
because
that's
the
way
I
was
giving
it
to
her
and
that
tough
love
those
those
conversations
instilled
in
me
to
never
forget
Oh,
two
or
one
nine,
all
right.
L
L
We
went
to
the
Boston
Housing
Authority
and
the
other
inside
saw
seven
in
Johnson's.
She
slit
us
some
cement
and
he
dug
holes
in
Archer
Park
and
he
played
with
him
basketball
hoops
inside
of
the
ground
because
they
didn't
provide
courts
for
us
and
I
was
the
youngest
kid.
Maybe
a
one
of
the
James
Griffin
Leroy
in
them
and
I
was
battling
with
the
15
year
when
I
was
sitting
on
the
bench.
But
I
look
good
in
your
leg
line.
L
It
was
good,
but
my
job
with
the
older
guys
was
just
the
thread
the
net
through
the
limb,
so
he
was
walking
from
Madison
that
then
green
back
boards.
He
knew
he
was
doing
wrong,
but
a
few
is
an
OT.
We
want
to
look
good,
so
we
needed
those
rims
and
that
right
there
was
the
beginning
of
my
no
books,
no
ball,
because
ball
was
everything
to
me
to
play
ball
in
the
projects
with
the
girls
with
the
Vaseline.
That
was
it.
L
What
made
you
feel
like
a
star,
so
whatever
the
dog
was
born
in
Cambridge
I
was
doing
that
and
okay.
Alright,
where
were
you
out?
Lennox
Street
I
see
you,
but
as
I
went
on,
there's
the
guy
hanging
out
in
my
projects
and
I
know:
I
got
two
or
three
minutes,
but
your
fingers
I
want
to
stretch
it
because
this
is
very
important
because
we
paid
our
money
to
eat,
have
a
good
time
and
talk
about
this
community
and
there's
some
very
important
people.
L
I
just
want
to
touch
him
and
I'm
gonna
get
off
this
man
and
he
was
hanging
out
in
the
corner.
The
project,
crew
and
he
just
bugged
me
out
cuz
I,
don't
know
why
he
kept
hanging
out,
but
he
thought
I
had
a
nice
dribble.
He
said
my
jump
shot,
wasn't
nice,
but
my
dribble
was
nice
and
then
I
asked
him
who
was
he
said?
L
So
once
again,
I
heard
that
message
from
my
mom
to
tell
you
walking
I
love,
you
man,
everything
you
stand
for
and
there's
another
gentleman,
that's
not
here
and
if
you
are
he's
up
there
with
Miss
Harris
she's
coming
up
next
on
Sundays
roughened,
you
know
that's
what
he
likes
to
do
stay
in
these
gyms
and
well.
His
name
is
Charlie
cheers
DeLoach.
If
y'all
see
him
always
know
he
put
his
arms
around
me
when
the
walkway
bears
in
girls
club,
and
that
became
my
second
big
brother.
L
Those
two
have
totally
been
the
men
in
my
life
and
raising
me.
So
if
you
see
chairs
telling
myself
that
I've
been
here
acknowledged
him
tonight
and
I
love
them
he's
with
his
mom
right
now
and
then
sitting
in
the
back
of
the
room
I
came
in,
you
know
she
always
got
a
hair
whipped
up.
So
I
said:
oh,
you
get
you
on
the
mic.
I
know
nothing
about
it.
I
see
Diane.
She
got
his
shades
on.
You
know
what
it's
like.
L
L
L
Was
down
not
to
be
you
and
you
know
the
Don,
the
best
of
the
ball
players
here:
Bobby
Lewis,
uncie
Bobby
up
at
the
fools
spot,
I
heard
about
you
from
big
bro,
so
I
know
he
was
nice
from
JP,
but
the
Boston
shootout
was
like
the
pre
man
tournament
for
us
as
ball
players
and
me
being
the
kid
at
the
boys.
Club
I
was
fortunate
to
be
a
ball
boy,
so
I
enjoyed
giving
me
high
school,
all-americans,
towels
and
water
to
the
kids.
My
age
I
had
a
responsibility.
L
I
had
a
job
and
one
day
from
playing
in
the
Shelburne
would
really
connected
us
and
she
said
baby
I
got
something
for
you
and
I
said
what
you
mean.
She
said
I'm
you
didn't
get
to
make
it
to
the
banquet
that
we
had
for
the
barracudas
not
to
show
them,
because
for
some
reason
at
the
time
they
wouldn't.
Let
me
attend
the
banquet
and
my
mom
worked
two
jobs
to
buy
me:
a
navy
blue
jacket,
a
white
shirt
and
some
brown
pants.
L
You
know
I
thought
I
was
cool,
that
I
sat
in
the
boys
club
and
for
the
first
time
in
Belle
it
broke
my
heart
because
I
wasn't
able
to
attend,
but
I've
to
shoot
out.
I
went
up
in
the
stands
and
she
often
with
the
Most
Valuable
Player
Award
and
I
just
hugged
her
for
like
five
minutes
and
cried
in
our
arms
and
massages
from
that
day.
I.
Never
let
you
go
and
I
just
want
to
say
thank
you
cuz.
That
meant
everything
to
me.
L
And
now
I'm
gonna,
move
on
and
I
just
want
to
say.
Well,
even
though
your
speech
will
show
up
over
your
words
alone.
You
know
me,
we
thought
you,
the
politician
of
the
court
and
what
you
stand
for
and
bringing
people
together
like
Joe
and
all
the
other
people
that
you're
touching
and
helping
us
understand
how
to
move
this
money
through
the
neighborhood
man.
We
appreciate
it.
L
Following
your
footsteps,
man,
we
would
need
more
people,
like
you
man,
you
know
you
guys
are
totally
in
the
background.
So
a
lot
of
things
that
you
do
you
don't
take
the
pitches
very
seldom
you
get
acknowledged,
but
it's
the
real
work
man.
That
means
something
to
us
and
the
fact
that
you
take
the
call
when
Tony
calls
cuz
bro.
He
needs
to
support
it
just
says
a
lot
about
our
Brotherhood
and
I
hope
that
we
continue
to
stay
together
Sean
as
long
as
you
keep
our
legal
paper
straight.
We're
gonna
be
good.
L
L
K
L
That
must
be
his
mom
I
said:
that's
my
mama!
That's
my
sister
and
I
just
want
to
say:
T
I
told
you.
Team
first
is
t2
and
he
said
somebody
said
she
was
proud
of
me,
but
I'm,
proud
of
you
and
I'm
happy.
You
took
work
off
to
come.
I
know
about
your
job
means
to
you,
but
it's
nothing.
I'd
rather
do
for
you
to
meet
t2
again
and
t1,
and
you
know
that
that's
what
our
T
came
from,
but
it
means
everything
to
me.
It
also
stands
for
the
cross.
L
L
As
time
and
I
was
walking
up
the
steps
and
we
looked
into
the
room
and
we
seen
the
ambience
anybody
that
cut
a
check,
you
should
feel
good
about
where
your
money
went.
Okay,
that
line
everyone
is
dressed
real
beautiful
tonight.
It
just
shows
the
class
and
the
flavor,
the
style
of
our
city,
because
I
want
to
tell
you,
women,
your
knit
beautiful
feathers.
You
look
clean
in
this
building.
You
prepare
something
a
balance,
because
it
makes
us
all
step
up.
L
We
work
hard
throughout
the
week,
but
to
come
somewhere
on
a
Sunday
to
enjoy
ourselves
to
see
the
fruits
of
your
labor
and
that
you're
doing
for
these
kids
for
25
years,
man
says
a
lot
for
the
fabric,
others
and
get
your
mom
a
gift.
Family
means
to
you,
man,
and
we
have
more
proud
of
you
than
they
were
receiving
tonight,
because
this
25
years
couldn't
happen
without
your
vision
and
your
cool
right.