Category: .Politics and activism

Reverend Al Sharpton: Celtics’ Bill Russell took his celebrity status to the causes

The Celtics great pioneered the role of athletes using their platform for greater causes than sport.

Boston Celtics Hall of Fame big man Bill Russell touched lives far beyond the basketball court in his 88 years of life, his work as a mentor and civil rights activist literally helping to change the course of US history.

And for that, he is at least as fondly remembered by his peers in that struggle that saw him in the March On Washington at the “I Have a Dream” speech by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. And by the side of Muhammad Ali with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Jim Brown as Ali defied the draft. Now, today, another ally in that struggle, the Reverend Al Sharpton, took some time to memorialize his friend and comrade.

Speaking with MSNBC after learning of Russell’s passing, Sharpton spoke at length about how the Celtics great pioneered the role of athletes using their platform for greater causes than sport.

Check out the Celtics Lab podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

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Star Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown has a plan to tackle Boston’s wealth divide

“Access to capital, … sustainability and culturally competent initiatives … have informed us on how to create this program,” said Brown.

Star Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown has a plan to tackle Boston’s wealth divide. The Georgia native recently made his plan “to launch a project to bring Black Wall Street here in Boston” known, drawing on the historic Oklahoma institution as a model for future prosperity for people of color.

Per Bloomberg’s Randall Williams, Brown has partnered with Harvard Business School, Roxbury Community College and Lauren and Jrue Holiday’s JLH Fund to offer up to $250,000 in investment grants. “To be able to give access to capital, create sustainability and culturally competent initiatives, all of these insights have informed us on how to create this program for Boston,” shared Brown.

“Being able to partner with people who have high influence in other places can make it more impactful,” he added.

Applications to the program can be found at www.bxchange.org and must be submitted by August 15, 2024.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” “Celtics Lab,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Boston’s Bill Russell, civil rights icon – full Library of Congress interview

Watch this extensive interview for the Library of Congress on Celtics legend Bill Russell’s work fighting for civil rights.

By now, most fans of the Boston Celtics know the history of legendary Boston big man Bill Russell. Twice inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (first as a player, then as a head coach) those Celtics fans may be surprised to learn Russell was a truly extraordinary human being off the court as well as on it.

The Monroe, Louisiana, native did not grow up only dealing with the racist policies and dispositions of fans for opposing teams and Boston alike. Russell actively fought it alongside giants for that cause, Martin Luther King Jr. and John Lewis.

To that end, Russell was interviewed for the U.S. Library of Congress’ Civil Rights history project in 2013. He documented his contributions to society and his country off the court in the fight against systemic racism that current players and recent Celtics alumni continue today.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Bill Russell: Black coach of the Boston Celtics during the civil rights era

Now a two-time Hall of Famer, watch this clip to get a feel for Russell as a coach in Boston’s heyday.

The first Black coach of any major North American sport in modern history, Boston Celtics legendary big man Bill Russell is on the cusp for his second induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his work as a player-coach of the Celtics in the latter third of their unrivaled 1960s dynasty.

Duly enshrined as a player, far more of us are aware of Russell’s intimidating presence on the court, and how he helped transform the style of play in the NBA with his outlet passing and ferocious blocks. But fewer recollections of his time as a coach remain — and even less about what he faced from the media and fans for taking on the role of coach.

Watch the video embedded below to catch a glimpse of how Russell was seen by his peers at the time, with this interview focusing on the Celtic great and his impact as a head coach — both in basketball and beyond — courtesy of CLNS Media.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” “Celtics Lab,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Celtics’ Jaylen Brown names Boston’s 23rd most influential person

A regular presence on this list from year to year, the Georgia native has seen his profile continually rise in the city he now calls home.

Star Boston Celtics small forward Jaylen Brown has been named the 23rd most influential person in the City of Boston by Boston Magazine for their annual “150 Most Influential Bostonians” article. A regular presence on this list from year to year, the Georgia native has seen his profile continually rise in the city that he now calls home.

And Brown is so high on this list not just because of his success with the Celtics, but what he does with the platform that brings him in Boston. “When Brown inked his new $304 million contract last summer, he made it clear that Bostonians would share in the bounty,” writes Boston Magazine.

“His 7uice Foundation focuses on tackling the city’s opportunity gap, primarily through his Bridge Program with MIT, and he has his sights set on the wealth gap, too,” they add.

“In other words, he’s spreading optimism and opportunity all over the city—and all the while, proving on the court that he’s worth every penny,” they suggest — and we agree.

There’s nothing wrong with showing up and earning the paycheck, and letting that be the four walls of your influence. But the Cal alum has a drive to leave things better than he found them, and walks in the footsteps of giants.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Celtics’ Jayson Tatum and SoFi launch initiative to boost financial literacy, home ownership

Hear from the man himself how Tatum’s foundation has joined forces with SoFi.

By now, you may have caught wind of star Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum‘s plan to partner with SoFi to help working-class families into homes in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. You may even have heard about how he made an appearance on CBS News’ “CBS Mornings” show to talk about how his foundation will partner with SoFi on the project.

But if you have not seen the Duke alum sit down with hosts Gayle King, Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson, we have got you covered. The St. Louis native’s “CBS Morning” appearance was captured on video for posterity (and your viewing enjoyment) in a clip uploaded to the official “CBS Morning” YouTube channel.

Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear from the man himself how Tatum’s foundation has joined forces with SoFi.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Jayson Tatum announces partnership to support low-income, single-parent families in St. Louis

Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum announced a new partnership with SoFi to support low-income, single-parent families in St. Louis.

Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum announced a new project aimed at building generational wealth for low-income, single-parent families in his hometown of St. Louis. The five-time All-Star is partnering with SoFi bank to help those in need take a first step toward financial stability and growth.

The initiative is a collaboration between the Jayson Tatum Foundation and the financial services company SoFi. A $1 million donation will spearhead a new SoFi Generational Wealth Fund at the foundation. In an interview with the Associated Press, Tatum explained his eagerness to give back and why a program like this can be so impactful.

“I just knew I wanted to give back and help people that looked like me and grew up like me.” Tatum said.

Boston’s Jaylen Brown boosts effort to raise juvenile prosecution age in MA to 20

Brown recently made an appearance at the Massachusetts State House in support of an initiative to raise the age of juvenile offenders in the state for non-violent offenses from a maximum of 18 to 20 years of age.

Star Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown recently made an appearance at the Massachusetts State House in support of an initiative to raise the age of juvenile offenders in the state for non-violent offenses from a maximum of 18 to 20 years of age.

Brown argued that 18, 19, and 20-year-olds are still emerging as adults, and should still be tried as juveniles in certain contexts as a result. Pointing to biological science on the human brain’s development at that age and his own life experience, Brown used his platform to advocate for local youth to avoid treating them with the full weight of the law.

The Cal alum was joined by criminal justice reform advocates and legislators, Brown’s position was not without pushback.

To hear his words for yourself, check out the clip embedded above from NBC Sports Boston.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Ex-Boston Celtics guard Chris Herren on trying to reach students before substance abuse is a problem

The former Boston floor general now dedicates himself to reaching local youth struggling with addiction.

Former Boston Celtics guard Chris Herren recently shared his harrowing journey from athletic success to the depths of addiction with parents and students at Masuk High School as part of his personal efforts to pay forward the aid that saved his own life after struggles with drug addiction derailed his pro career and private life. In a series of presentations, Herren opened up about his troubled upbringing, teenage experimentation with drugs and alcohol, and the devastating consequences of his opioid addiction.

“In 1994, I had an opportunity to sit in a gymnasium and pay attention, and right now I would give anything to go back to 1994 and listen” said Herren via the Monroe Sun’s Bill Bittar.

Growing up in a household with an alcoholic father, Herren’s troubles began in his teen years.