Humble Heart: Joakim Noah

 Chicago is the city where I was born and raised. I grew up in the Englewood community where I witnessed a lot of crime. At the age of 12 I lost a cousin to gun violence. At the age of 15 I lost a friend to gun violence.Also at the age of 16 I lost a classmate by the name of Starkesia Reed to senseless gun violence. Seeing what was happening in our community my mother decided to relocate to another community on the southside. I left Harper High school heart broken and entered into Harlan High school where I completed my high school degree and graduated with honors. At the age of 19 I was offered a position at my alma mater Harlan High school where I dedicated 5 of my best years giving back to the boys and girls in the AVID program. The last 2 years my students and I experienced the lost of some of my mentees and their peers. I looked for who could make a difference in our city and what could make a difference in our city to protect our youth. In my search I found that there is one particular person urging Chicago to stand up and that person is Joakim Noah.

Joakim Noah whose father Yannick Noah was a well-known Cameroonian tennis player from France, spent most of his adolescent years in France. Noah's parents divorced when he was 12 years old. He relocated to New York city with his mother Cecilia Rodhe. He grew up in the hell's kitchen area "New york city is great it shaped who I am. I believe that people are a product of their environment. I am in the position I am in because of my neighborhood.

There are many athletes in the city of Chicago that may contribute to other charities of their choice.  I noticed that Joakim does a lot in the communities in Chicago "My father is from West Africa he always gave back. He taught me the importance of giving back. I grew up in New York there were community centers they helped me become the player that I am today. It has everything to do with the community centers, compared to New York Chicago doesn’t have many community centers. Chicago has done so much for me I feel so blessed to play for such a prestigious team and its important that I give back to this city that is hurting." For the last three years his Noah's Arc foundation has created a peace tournament that brings together people from almost each side of Chicago to play a game of basketball that takes place on the south side of Chicago each year in September"The first tournament was at St Sabina I teamed up with Father Phfleger. Its about bringing different people from different areas to play in the name of peace. The tournament goes all year there are games all year round. Its great to see people who get looked at negatively come together to play a game of basketball. I also have people come in talk to the youth."

Joakim has been doing a great job so far with encouraging our youth to come together. I noticed that a lot of the young men need resources and activities to help keep them out of the streets. I was curious so I asked Joakim was he considering creating any other foundations or mentor ship and internship programs for our youth in Chicago and New York? "My foundation is growing this is the 3rd year. It's growing at a good pace. We have as many games as possible for the kids. My organization keeps kids active. It makes me sad when I see young kids with nothing to do. I wanted to make sure there were things for the kids to do due to gangs being out of control. Basketball will reel everyone in at once. Once that's done mentor ship happens. My foundation is not there but it is growing my dream is to bring inner city kids to Africa and create a pen pal partnership and show them what Africa is like."

I think that it is very important for our youth to have resources that they can rely on and also caring individuals like Joakim to look to for words of encouragement and words of wisdom "I just want the youth to stay proactive and grind hard nothing comes easily. There are a lot of distractions stay focused only you know you whats best for you. Make your own decisions. Stay focused keep your eyes on the prize."

It is very rare that you will find someone who is so passionate about helping to eliminate the violence that is claiming the lives of our youth,who at least want to experience what it is like to be able to enjoy life without having to fall victim to the violence.We need more advocates like Joakim that are willing to stand up and protect the youth and the streets of Chicago. Everyone deserves a chance to enjoy life and fulfill their purpose. I was so honored to have had the opportunity to interview this caring, humbled and determined soul that many see as the star center for the Chicago Bulls. I see him as a humbled person with a heart of Gold.

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If only men looked up to Bob and studied his quotes

ONE LOVE

Chicago Stand Up

There are many players in the sports industry that genuinely care about not only the community they come from but also the community of others. Players such as Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah both seem to reflect on what it was like growing up in a large city where there were various acts of crime and violence. Derrick Rose who is a Chicago native and happens to also be from the same neighborhood I am from. Murray park also known as Murder park is where I watched him play and interact with our peers in the park.  I'm sure he has also heard the numerous gun shots that I heard on nights when were supposed to be sleeping so that we can get ready to head to school the next morning.  Derrick was the star player at Simeon, he went on to college and decided to go pro and he became a Chicago Bull. Joakim Noah on the other hand is from New York City which like Chicago is a large city with some rough neighborhoods. Joakim went on from high school to play college basketball at the University of Florida before coming to Chicago and joining the Bulls. There have been various acts of crime and gun violence in the city of Chicago. Derrick Rose allegeldyl paid for the funeral of slain Chicago rapper Lil Jojo who was shot to death and also a 6 month baby girl that was shot and killed as she sat on her fathers lap. Joakim Noah partnered with community activist father Pfeleger who is also the priest and social activist at St Sabina Church on the city's southside. Each year around september they both host the One city peace tournament where the city comes together to promote peace and also play a game of basketball.  Each year the teams are coached by NBA superstar such as Derrick Rose and Patrick Beverly. I noticed that both of these Chicago Bulls players do a lot in the communities in Chicago. I appreciate how they give back to the city.

Mayweather's Inspiration

Floyd Mayweather is one of the highest paid athletes in the world. Floyd is the undefeated champion in boxing history. Although I was not given the opportunity to interview Floyd Mayweather, I did have the honor of speaking to one of his acquaintances. His name is Delano Willis he’s a thirty  year old Boxing instructor and Muay Thai trainer currently training in Illinois, that had the opportunity to train under the Mayweather’s. Delano is from the South side of Chicago like me. He was born August 10, 1984, in the Englewood neighborhood just like me. When he was younger he always got picked on and teased because he skinny and darker skinned. “About four years ago some friends and I decided to go to Las Vegas.  While there we heard about the Mayweather gym and we found out where it was located and we got there and we were approached by Floyd’s uncle Roger who still until this day along with his father Floyd senior still trains Floyd Jr..Roger asked us how could he help us and I asked him could we do some drills. Roger said sure. I asked Roger could he do some drills with me and he agreed.” I was interested in knowing what he learned from Roger and what was his experience like being in the Mayweather gym.” It was life changing it made me want to really work hard seeing how Floyd built this gym along with his family from their love of boxing.” Roger taught me some drills that I have never seen before, he challenged me a lot and I appreciate him for showing me different combos and drills and how to work the ring.” I asked him has he ever met Floyd. “ I have once and he was very humble and down to earth. I never had the opportunity to do any drills with him like I want to. I get the opportunity to hang out with the Mayweather’s during some of the fights if I ever go back to Vegas. I asked him when was the last time he was in Vegas. “ I was there last September when he fought Maidana, I'm going back for the big fight this September. I will be there with the family probably sharpening up on my skills at the gym and spending time with them after Floyd’s fight. Although I'm not able to go to train with Delano like I would due to a change in my schedule I still manage to get me some jabs and uppercuts in from time to time.  I really enjoyed getting to know my trainer and learning more about his training, his skills and his background.  He is amazing and Im so honored to say I train under this strong and amazing talent.