Category: .Politics and activism

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.