I am happier with you tonight at the fast laureus world sports award sport
fast laureus world sports award sport
fast laureus world sports award sport has the power to change the world
it has the power to inspire it has the
it has the power to inspire it has the power to unite people in a way that
power to unite people in a way that
power to unite people in a way that little as does it speak to youth in a
little as does it speak to youth in a
little as does it speak to youth in a number to the understood spot can create
number to the understood spot can create
number to the understood spot can create hope where once there was only to spoil
hope where once there was only to spoil
hope where once there was only to spoil it is more powerful than governments in
it is more powerful than governments in
it is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers it loves
breaking down racial barriers it loves
breaking down racial barriers it loves in the face of all types of
in the face of all types of
in the face of all types of discrimination so Nelson Mandela
discrimination so Nelson Mandela
discrimination so Nelson Mandela happened to say a whole lot in just five
happened to say a whole lot in just five
happened to say a whole lot in just five sentences so I want to take just a few
sentences so I want to take just a few
sentences so I want to take just a few minutes to talk through his message and
minutes to talk through his message and
minutes to talk through his message and the ripple effect its had on youth all
the ripple effect its had on youth all
the ripple effect its had on youth all across the world as many of you know
across the world as many of you know
across the world as many of you know Nelson Mandela was in prison for 27
Nelson Mandela was in prison for 27
Nelson Mandela was in prison for 27 years for leading an effort to fight
years for leading an effort to fight
years for leading an effort to fight apartheid which was a system of very
apartheid which was a system of very
apartheid which was a system of very oppressive racial segregation that
oppressive racial segregation that
oppressive racial segregation that existed for several decades in South
existed for several decades in South
existed for several decades in South Africa after he was released from prison
Africa after he was released from prison
Africa after he was released from prison soon thereafter he was released in the
soon thereafter he was released in the
soon thereafter he was released in the early 90s in 1994 he was elected
early 90s in 1994 he was elected
early 90s in 1994 he was elected president of South Africa and he looked
president of South Africa and he looked
president of South Africa and he looked out you know among the people of South
out you know among the people of South
out you know among the people of South Africa that had for many many decades
Africa that had for many many decades
Africa that had for many many decades been separated by black and brown and
been separated by black and brown and
been separated by black and brown and white and wondered how the world am I
white and wondered how the world am I
white and wondered how the world am I going to bring all of these people
going to bring all of these people
going to bring all of these people together and he thought maybe sport is
together and he thought maybe sport is
together and he thought maybe sport is the answer when he was in prison they
the answer when he was in prison they
the answer when he was in prison they wouldn’t let him you know read most of
wouldn’t let him you know read most of
wouldn’t let him you know read most of the newspapers or see television
the newspapers or see television
the newspapers or see television anything but they would let him read the
anything but they would let him read the
anything but they would let him read the sports pages so he was very much a fan
sports pages so he was very much a fan
sports pages so he was very much a fan of sport he used to keep track of all
of sport he used to keep track of all
of sport he used to keep track of all the the top athletes in the country and
the the top athletes in the country and
the the top athletes in the country and one of them was Francois Pienaar he was
one of them was Francois Pienaar he was
one of them was Francois Pienaar he was the captain of the national rugby team
the captain of the national rugby team
the captain of the national rugby team called the Springboks and ironically
called the Springboks and ironically
called the Springboks and ironically just a year after nelson mandela was
just a year after nelson mandela was
just a year after nelson mandela was elected president they were
elected president they were
elected president they were be hosting the rugby world cup at in
be hosting the rugby world cup at in
be hosting the rugby world cup at in South Africa and he thought you know
South Africa and he thought you know
South Africa and he thought you know what I’m going to enlist françoise’s
what I’m going to enlist françoise’s
what I’m going to enlist françoise’s help in kind of bringing the country to
help in kind of bringing the country to
help in kind of bringing the country to rally behind our national rugby team the
rally behind our national rugby team the
rally behind our national rugby team the Springboks and so this is what happened
Springboks and so this is what happened
Springboks and so this is what happened I mean they’re hosting the the world cup
I mean they’re hosting the the world cup
I mean they’re hosting the the world cup they really weren’t supposed to do all
they really weren’t supposed to do all
they really weren’t supposed to do all that well but they won the first round
that well but they won the first round
that well but they won the first round and the second round and the third round
and the second round and the third round
and the second round and the third round and they find themselves in the final in
and they find themselves in the final in
and they find themselves in the final in this humongous stadium played playing
this humongous stadium played playing
this humongous stadium played playing the new zealand all blacks one of the
the new zealand all blacks one of the
the new zealand all blacks one of the top rugby teams in the world still and
top rugby teams in the world still and
top rugby teams in the world still and they’d never run a world cup before but
they’d never run a world cup before but
they’d never run a world cup before but guess what they want and the stadium
guess what they want and the stadium
guess what they want and the stadium erupted nelson mandela comes down onto
erupted nelson mandela comes down onto
erupted nelson mandela comes down onto the field wearing a springbok jersey he
the field wearing a springbok jersey he
the field wearing a springbok jersey he shakes the hand of francois pienaar
shakes the hand of francois pienaar
shakes the hand of francois pienaar gives us rousing speech and the whole
gives us rousing speech and the whole
gives us rousing speech and the whole entire country had been cheering for the
entire country had been cheering for the
entire country had been cheering for the national team and here too for the
national team and here too for the
national team and here too for the whites would would vote for the root for
whites would would vote for the root for
whites would would vote for the root for the Springboks with the blacks in the
the Springboks with the blacks in the
the Springboks with the blacks in the country actually voted for the British
country actually voted for the British
country actually voted for the British team because they didn’t see themselves
team because they didn’t see themselves
team because they didn’t see themselves reflected in the Springboks and so this
reflected in the Springboks and so this
reflected in the Springboks and so this was unprecedented to have the whole
was unprecedented to have the whole
was unprecedented to have the whole country supporting their national rugby
country supporting their national rugby
country supporting their national rugby team as you may recall there was a movie
team as you may recall there was a movie
team as you may recall there was a movie called Invictus that Chronicle of this
called Invictus that Chronicle of this
called Invictus that Chronicle of this wonderful story and it really did Sport
wonderful story and it really did Sport
wonderful story and it really did Sport really did change the world or at least
really did change the world or at least
really did change the world or at least it changed South Africa and what
it changed South Africa and what
it changed South Africa and what happened was that so many organizations
happened was that so many organizations
happened was that so many organizations have now come about that have caused
have now come about that have caused
have now come about that have caused sport to change the world which kind of
sport to change the world which kind of
sport to change the world which kind of gets me to my next point or at least
gets me to my next point or at least
gets me to my next point or at least Mandela’s next point which is that sport
Mandela’s next point which is that sport
Mandela’s next point which is that sport has the power to inspire sport inspired
has the power to inspire sport inspired
has the power to inspire sport inspired again a plethora of new organizations
again a plethora of new organizations
again a plethora of new organizations and a new nonprofit sector called sport
and a new nonprofit sector called sport
and a new nonprofit sector called sport for development sport for development is
for development sport for development is
for development sport for development is the intentional use of sport to achieve
the intentional use of sport to achieve
the intentional use of sport to achieve particular outcomes like education or
particular outcomes like education or
particular outcomes like education or health and wellness or employability or
health and wellness or employability or
health and wellness or employability or social cohesion or community cohesion
social cohesion or community cohesion
social cohesion or community cohesion and sport also inspired
and sport also inspired
and sport also inspired South African businessman named johann
South African businessman named johann
South African businessman named johann rupert he is the CEO of organization
rupert he is the CEO of organization
rupert he is the CEO of organization called reach line which is a holding
called reach line which is a holding
called reach line which is a holding company for a bunch of luxury brands and
company for a bunch of luxury brands and
company for a bunch of luxury brands and he was a friend of Nelson Mandela and he
he was a friend of Nelson Mandela and he
he was a friend of Nelson Mandela and he was inspired by this Invictus story too
was inspired by this Invictus story too
was inspired by this Invictus story too he said gosh you know I I want to do
he said gosh you know I I want to do
he said gosh you know I I want to do something I want to celebrate the power
something I want to celebrate the power
something I want to celebrate the power of sport and so he said I’m going to
of sport and so he said I’m going to
of sport and so he said I’m going to create an award show that celebrates the
create an award show that celebrates the
create an award show that celebrates the top sports men and women in the world
top sports men and women in the world
top sports men and women in the world and so he launched this laureus world
and so he launched this laureus world
and so he launched this laureus world sports awards when Della gave that
sports awards when Della gave that
sports awards when Della gave that speech and while they’re not Mandela
speech and while they’re not Mandela
speech and while they’re not Mandela gates a speech there are dozens of the
gates a speech there are dozens of the
gates a speech there are dozens of the top or the world’s top athletes at this
top or the world’s top athletes at this
top or the world’s top athletes at this event and they were all inspired by
event and they were all inspired by
event and they were all inspired by hearing they all wanted to do something
hearing they all wanted to do something
hearing they all wanted to do something and so Johann Rupert paired up with the
and so Johann Rupert paired up with the
and so Johann Rupert paired up with the folks at Daimler the parent company of
folks at Daimler the parent company of
folks at Daimler the parent company of mercedes-benz and they together they
mercedes-benz and they together they
mercedes-benz and they together they launched the laureus sport for good
launched the laureus sport for good
launched the laureus sport for good foundation now it’s a network of nine
foundation now it’s a network of nine
foundation now it’s a network of nine foundations across the world serving a
foundations across the world serving a
foundations across the world serving a million and a half youth in 40 different
million and a half youth in 40 different
million and a half youth in 40 different countries funding a hundred different
countries funding a hundred different
countries funding a hundred different projects and so you know it’s happening
projects and so you know it’s happening
projects and so you know it’s happening support inspired this new movement sport
support inspired this new movement sport
support inspired this new movement sport also inspired the United Nations to
also inspired the United Nations to
also inspired the United Nations to several years ago to declare april six
several years ago to declare april six
several years ago to declare april six which happens to be today as the
which happens to be today as the
which happens to be today as the international day of sport for
international day of sport for
international day of sport for development in peace and so there are
development in peace and so there are
development in peace and so there are organizations and people all over the
organizations and people all over the
organizations and people all over the world today the International Olympic
world today the International Olympic
world today the International Olympic Committee laureus sport for good
Committee laureus sport for good
Committee laureus sport for good obviously who are celebrating the use of
obviously who are celebrating the use of
obviously who are celebrating the use of sport to tackle many of the world’s most
sport to tackle many of the world’s most
sport to tackle many of the world’s most pressing social ills and and so we have
pressing social ills and and so we have
pressing social ills and and so we have you know organizations now like glorious
you know organizations now like glorious
you know organizations now like glorious I have the very distinct pleasure of
I have the very distinct pleasure of
I have the very distinct pleasure of being the CEO of laureus USA we have had
being the CEO of laureus USA we have had
being the CEO of laureus USA we have had such success in the past five years
such success in the past five years
such success in the past five years we’re reaching half a million kids
we’re reaching half a million kids
we’re reaching half a million kids across the u.s. we placed 3,300 coaches
across the u.s. we placed 3,300 coaches
across the u.s. we placed 3,300 coaches trained as mentors in projects all over
trained as mentors in projects all over
trained as mentors in projects all over the over the country at eighty two
the over the country at eighty two
the over the country at eighty two different cities and so you know
different cities and so you know
different cities and so you know collectively we’re seeing that’s
collectively we’re seeing that’s
collectively we’re seeing that’s it has inspired organizations and people
it has inspired organizations and people
it has inspired organizations and people to engineer a new form of social impact
to engineer a new form of social impact
to engineer a new form of social impact and again that gets me to my next point
and again that gets me to my next point
and again that gets me to my next point is that sport has the power to unite
is that sport has the power to unite
is that sport has the power to unite people in a way that little else does a
people in a way that little else does a
people in a way that little else does a few years ago actually a little over two
few years ago actually a little over two
few years ago actually a little over two years ago lori s USA began to unite
years ago lori s USA began to unite
years ago lori s USA began to unite people in the city of new orleans by
people in the city of new orleans by
people in the city of new orleans by using sport we launched laureus sport
using sport we launched laureus sport
using sport we launched laureus sport for good New Orleans which is our model
for good New Orleans which is our model
for good New Orleans which is our model city initiative it is an initiative
city initiative it is an initiative
city initiative it is an initiative which is a long-term initiative to bring
which is a long-term initiative to bring
which is a long-term initiative to bring you sport to first identify which
you sport to first identify which
you sport to first identify which challenges our youth facing in this
challenges our youth facing in this
challenges our youth facing in this particular city and then harness the
particular city and then harness the
particular city and then harness the power of sport to address those
power of sport to address those
power of sport to address those challenges we are now funding six
challenges we are now funding six
challenges we are now funding six organizations in New Orleans they are
organizations in New Orleans they are
organizations in New Orleans they are doing amazing work and we’ve also built
doing amazing work and we’ve also built
doing amazing work and we’ve also built a coalition cross-sector coalition of
a coalition cross-sector coalition of
a coalition cross-sector coalition of organizations around them so they are
organizations around them so they are
organizations around them so they are government to corporate education
government to corporate education
government to corporate education nonprofits and they’re all you know the
nonprofits and they’re all you know the
nonprofits and they’re all you know the Parks and Rec edema in the city and
Parks and Rec edema in the city and
Parks and Rec edema in the city and they’ve come together with these six
they’ve come together with these six
they’ve come together with these six organizations leading them to have some
organizations leading them to have some
organizations leading them to have some shared goals some shared metrics and
shared goals some shared metrics and
shared goals some shared metrics and laureus provides a backbone for this
laureus provides a backbone for this
laureus provides a backbone for this collective impact strategy in New
collective impact strategy in New
collective impact strategy in New Orleans and as a result of the the
Orleans and as a result of the the
Orleans and as a result of the the infusion of funding in their being able
infusion of funding in their being able
infusion of funding in their being able to increase staff the professional
to increase staff the professional
to increase staff the professional development that we provided to them
development that we provided to them
development that we provided to them those six organizations who were two
those six organizations who were two
those six organizations who were two years ago serving 10,000 kids are now
years ago serving 10,000 kids are now
years ago serving 10,000 kids are now serving over 50,000 kids and so we’re
serving over 50,000 kids and so we’re
serving over 50,000 kids and so we’re seeing that this is having a ripple
seeing that this is having a ripple
seeing that this is having a ripple effect in New Orleans one of those
effect in New Orleans one of those
effect in New Orleans one of those projects is called elevate there’s a
projects is called elevate there’s a
projects is called elevate there’s a young man by the name of sky hyacinth he
young man by the name of sky hyacinth he
young man by the name of sky hyacinth he was born in the Bronx lived in a
was born in the Bronx lived in a
was born in the Bronx lived in a two-room house and his parents you know
two-room house and his parents you know
two-room house and his parents you know struggled to make ends meet he pictured
struggled to make ends meet he pictured
struggled to make ends meet he pictured there coaching his athletes
there coaching his athletes
there coaching his athletes he you know his family lived in often in
he you know his family lived in often in
he you know his family lived in often in drug infested communities and he used
drug infested communities and he used
drug infested communities and he used sport the sport of basketball as an
sport the sport of basketball as an
sport the sport of basketball as an escape and he worked hard at basketball
escape and he worked hard at basketball
escape and he worked hard at basketball he worked hard at school he ended up
he worked hard at school he ended up
he worked hard at school he ended up getting a full basketball scholarship to
getting a full basketball scholarship to
getting a full basketball scholarship to UConn yeah and he graduated and he went
UConn yeah and he graduated and he went
UConn yeah and he graduated and he went on to have a career marketing you work
on to have a career marketing you work
on to have a career marketing you work for ESPN for a while for on me come for
for ESPN for a while for on me come for
for ESPN for a while for on me come for a while marketing communications and he
a while marketing communications and he
a while marketing communications and he was friends with one of his former UConn
was friends with one of his former UConn
was friends with one of his former UConn classmates and they went down in New
classmates and they went down in New
classmates and they went down in New Orleans for some event and so while he
Orleans for some event and so while he
Orleans for some event and so while he was there wherever he goes he would go
was there wherever he goes he would go
was there wherever he goes he would go seek out a basketball court to blow off
seek out a basketball court to blow off
seek out a basketball court to blow off some steam and he went to this
some steam and he went to this
some steam and he went to this basketball court a bunch of kids running
basketball court a bunch of kids running
basketball court a bunch of kids running around and they were excited to have
around and they were excited to have
around and they were excited to have somebody there they kind of tutor them
somebody there they kind of tutor them
somebody there they kind of tutor them and coach them and teach them some tips
and coach them and teach them some tips
and coach them and teach them some tips and he went back day after day day after
and he went back day after day day after
and he went back day after day day after day and one more point this young boy
day and one more point this young boy
day and one more point this young boy comes up to Skye and he says you know I
comes up to Skye and he says you know I
comes up to Skye and he says you know I I’m so excited to have you back I really
I’m so excited to have you back I really
I’m so excited to have you back I really didn’t think he’d come back he said yeah
didn’t think he’d come back he said yeah
didn’t think he’d come back he said yeah why would you think I’d come back he
why would you think I’d come back he
why would you think I’d come back he said well nobody really my life I don’t
said well nobody really my life I don’t
said well nobody really my life I don’t think anybody really loves me you know
think anybody really loves me you know
think anybody really loves me you know and it really struck a chord with with
and it really struck a chord with with
and it really struck a chord with with sky and he thought to myself oh my gosh
sky and he thought to myself oh my gosh
sky and he thought to myself oh my gosh I need to do something and so he dropped
I need to do something and so he dropped
I need to do something and so he dropped his wonderful six-figure job and his
his wonderful six-figure job and his
his wonderful six-figure job and his nice life in New York and he moved to
nice life in New York and he moved to
nice life in New York and he moved to New Orleans and he started a program
New Orleans and he started a program
New Orleans and he started a program called elevate and elevate is really a
called elevate and elevate is really a
called elevate and elevate is really a educational enrichment and basketball
educational enrichment and basketball
educational enrichment and basketball skills enrichment program and they have
skills enrichment program and they have
skills enrichment program and they have to maintain a 3.0 grade-point average
to maintain a 3.0 grade-point average
to maintain a 3.0 grade-point average they have to do their tutoring they have
they have to do their tutoring they have
they have to do their tutoring they have all kinds of wonderful academic
all kinds of wonderful academic
all kinds of wonderful academic enrichment for the kids they can’t get
enrichment for the kids they can’t get
enrichment for the kids they can’t get on the court until they’ve until they’ve
on the court until they’ve until they’ve
on the court until they’ve until they’ve done their homework and unless they have
done their homework and unless they have
done their homework and unless they have maintained this grade point average and
maintained this grade point average and
maintained this grade point average and when they get on the court they get
when they get on the court they get
when they get on the court they get top-notch basketball training so much so
top-notch basketball training so much so
top-notch basketball training so much so that the 18 athletes student athletes
that the 18 athletes student athletes
that the 18 athletes student athletes who have graduated through his program
who have graduated through his program
who have graduated through his program all 18 of them have gotten college
all 18 of them have gotten college
all 18 of them have gotten college basketball scholarships
basketball scholarships
basketball scholarships amazing right so sport is definitely
amazing right so sport is definitely
amazing right so sport is definitely uniting the city of New Orleans and
uniting the city of New Orleans and
uniting the city of New Orleans and really helping to elevate the youth in
really helping to elevate the youth in
really helping to elevate the youth in that program in the process the next
that program in the process the next
that program in the process the next point in mandela speech was that sport
point in mandela speech was that sport
point in mandela speech was that sport speaks to youth and a language they
speaks to youth and a language they
speaks to youth and a language they understand you know sports fun and it’s
understand you know sports fun and it’s
understand you know sports fun and it’s a hook to get the kids into a program if
a hook to get the kids into a program if
a hook to get the kids into a program if you told them oh let’s go to a youth
you told them oh let’s go to a youth
you told them oh let’s go to a youth development program or let’s go seek
development program or let’s go seek
development program or let’s go seek some counseling or I have some tutoring
some counseling or I have some tutoring
some counseling or I have some tutoring for you or something like that you know
for you or something like that you know
for you or something like that you know the kids probably dead that’s all right
the kids probably dead that’s all right
the kids probably dead that’s all right you know but if you say let’s go play
you know but if you say let’s go play
you know but if you say let’s go play some basketball some soccer I mean it’s
some basketball some soccer I mean it’s
some basketball some soccer I mean it’s a hook it gets them in and then they
a hook it gets them in and then they
a hook it gets them in and then they learn all the life skills along the way
learn all the life skills along the way
learn all the life skills along the way that you have to teach them and champion
that you have to teach them and champion
that you have to teach them and champion athletes also speak in a language that
athletes also speak in a language that
athletes also speak in a language that kids understand excellence hard work
kids understand excellence hard work
kids understand excellence hard work perseverance the thrill of victory the
perseverance the thrill of victory the
perseverance the thrill of victory the agony of defeat the joy of reaching your
agony of defeat the joy of reaching your
agony of defeat the joy of reaching your personal best and we have very good
personal best and we have very good
personal best and we have very good fortunate laureus of having a network of
fortunate laureus of having a network of
fortunate laureus of having a network of 200 plus of the most iconic athletes in
200 plus of the most iconic athletes in
200 plus of the most iconic athletes in the world supporting our cause people
the world supporting our cause people
the world supporting our cause people like skateboarder Tony Hawk or NFL Hall
like skateboarder Tony Hawk or NFL Hall
like skateboarder Tony Hawk or NFL Hall of Famer Marcus Allen NBA star Chris
of Famer Marcus Allen NBA star Chris
of Famer Marcus Allen NBA star Chris Paul swimmer I can leave her name of a
Paul swimmer I can leave her name of a
Paul swimmer I can leave her name of a sudden Missy Franklin gymnastics legend
sudden Missy Franklin gymnastics legend
sudden Missy Franklin gymnastics legend Nadia common each she’s on my board like
Nadia common each she’s on my board like
Nadia common each she’s on my board like so cool these athletes have devoted
so cool these athletes have devoted
so cool these athletes have devoted their time they go visit projects they
their time they go visit projects they
their time they go visit projects they lend their name in their platform to
lend their name in their platform to
lend their name in their platform to help promote our mission and they can
help promote our mission and they can
help promote our mission and they can relate to how the language of sport has
relate to how the language of sport has
relate to how the language of sport has transformed their lives and I to as an
transformed their lives and I to as an
transformed their lives and I to as an Olympic gold medalist
Olympic gold medalist
Olympic gold medalist can can relate to that as well I call my
can can relate to that as well I call my
can can relate to that as well I call my gold medal the gift that keeps on giving
gold medal the gift that keeps on giving
gold medal the gift that keeps on giving I feel like certainly a great awesome
I feel like certainly a great awesome
I feel like certainly a great awesome opportunity to to stand on the victory
opportunity to to stand on the victory
opportunity to to stand on the victory stand in LA but the lessons that I
stand in LA but the lessons that I
stand in LA but the lessons that I learned around the the self-confidence I
learned around the the self-confidence I
learned around the the self-confidence I got the lessons about how to be a leader
got the lessons about how to be a leader
got the lessons about how to be a leader how to be part of a team how to set
how to be part of a team how to set
how to be part of a team how to set goals how to power through obstacles or
goals how to power through obstacles or
goals how to power through obstacles or hurdles that got in my way i was born i
hurdles that got in my way i was born i
hurdles that got in my way i was born i might as well just say it 1961 it was
might as well just say it 1961 it was
might as well just say it 1961 it was before the Civil Rights Act was passed
before the Civil Rights Act was passed
before the Civil Rights Act was passed or the Voting Rights Act was passed I
or the Voting Rights Act was passed I
or the Voting Rights Act was passed I mean I became of age in the 60s and 70s
mean I became of age in the 60s and 70s
mean I became of age in the 60s and 70s with the backdrop of the civil rights
with the backdrop of the civil rights
with the backdrop of the civil rights movement the women’s movement title 9
movement the women’s movement title 9
movement the women’s movement title 9 was past fall was in middle school my
was past fall was in middle school my
was past fall was in middle school my mom helped to desegregate the public
mom helped to desegregate the public
mom helped to desegregate the public school system right here in Prince
school system right here in Prince
school system right here in Prince William County in Northern Virginia I
William County in Northern Virginia I
William County in Northern Virginia I was the first black student to go to my
was the first black student to go to my
was the first black student to go to my elementary school in the first grade so
elementary school in the first grade so
elementary school in the first grade so I integrated my elementary school I did
I integrated my elementary school I did
I integrated my elementary school I did a lot of trial and error my parents are
a lot of trial and error my parents are
a lot of trial and error my parents are both educators and they really instilled
both educators and they really instilled
both educators and they really instilled and my sister and me that yes we got to
and my sister and me that yes we got to
and my sister and me that yes we got to get good grades we gotta you know do be
get good grades we gotta you know do be
get good grades we gotta you know do be strong students but they also introduced
strong students but they also introduced
strong students but they also introduced a lot of extracurricular activities
a lot of extracurricular activities
a lot of extracurricular activities because they wanted us to be
because they wanted us to be
because they wanted us to be well-rounded so I tried softball
well-rounded so I tried softball
well-rounded so I tried softball majorettes I tried gymnastics believe it
majorettes I tried gymnastics believe it
majorettes I tried gymnastics believe it or not violin I wasn’t good at any of
or not violin I wasn’t good at any of
or not violin I wasn’t good at any of that stuff really but I enjoyed the
that stuff really but I enjoyed the
that stuff really but I enjoyed the process of learning the friendships I
process of learning the friendships I
process of learning the friendships I made I even got to be most improved in
made I even got to be most improved in
made I even got to be most improved in my majorette troupe I got a trophy and
but at the same time it’s an
but at the same time it’s an eleven-year-old girl I found myself you
eleven-year-old girl I found myself you
eleven-year-old girl I found myself you know victim in some cases of some
know victim in some cases of some
know victim in some cases of some bullying both it in my classroom and in
bullying both it in my classroom and in
bullying both it in my classroom and in my neighborhood the black neighborhood I
my neighborhood the black neighborhood I
my neighborhood the black neighborhood I grew up until I was eight the all-white
grew up until I was eight the all-white
grew up until I was eight the all-white neighborhood I lived in after that I had
neighborhood I lived in after that I had
neighborhood I lived in after that I had low self-esteem low self-confidence
low self-esteem low self-confidence
low self-esteem low self-confidence I hadn’t really found my place you know
I hadn’t really found my place you know
I hadn’t really found my place you know the thing that I was that brought me joy
the thing that I was that brought me joy
the thing that I was that brought me joy that I was excited about until my
that I was excited about until my
that I was excited about until my gymnastics coach in middle school Gwen
gymnastics coach in middle school Gwen
gymnastics coach in middle school Gwen Washington said hey Bonita I see that
Washington said hey Bonita I see that
Washington said hey Bonita I see that you beat all the girls and even the boys
you beat all the girls and even the boys
you beat all the girls and even the boys in PE class you need to come out for the
in PE class you need to come out for the
in PE class you need to come out for the track team you know it’s kind of one of
track team you know it’s kind of one of
track team you know it’s kind of one of those things where you have a toddler
those things where you have a toddler
those things where you have a toddler and they’re getting something they
and they’re getting something they
and they’re getting something they shouldn’t but you just kind of redirect
shouldn’t but you just kind of redirect
shouldn’t but you just kind of redirect them and she kind of redirected me away
them and she kind of redirected me away
them and she kind of redirected me away from the sport that I wasn’t so good at
from the sport that I wasn’t so good at
from the sport that I wasn’t so good at but i loved i thought i was going to be
but i loved i thought i was going to be
but i loved i thought i was going to be you know over corporate or not even
you know over corporate or not even
you know over corporate or not even coming each at 5 10 and yeah not very
coming each at 5 10 and yeah not very
coming each at 5 10 and yeah not very and she redirected me over to track and
and she redirected me over to track and
and she redirected me over to track and field and i got on that track and i won
field and i got on that track and i won
field and i got on that track and i won every event I tried the first time out I
every event I tried the first time out I
every event I tried the first time out I found my joy that was the language that
found my joy that was the language that
found my joy that was the language that I understood right and I ended up that
I understood right and I ended up that
I understood right and I ended up that was 7th grade I ended up first chair
was 7th grade I ended up first chair
was 7th grade I ended up first chair flute in the in the band I was student
flute in the in the band I was student
flute in the in the band I was student of the year when I finished eighth grade
of the year when I finished eighth grade
of the year when I finished eighth grade I went on to high school become a state
I went on to high school become a state
I went on to high school become a state champion first chair flute and piccolo
champion first chair flute and piccolo
champion first chair flute and piccolo played but you know solos and the band
played but you know solos and the band
played but you know solos and the band in Orchestra made my first national team
in Orchestra made my first national team
in Orchestra made my first national team at 16 I came from this kind of you know
at 16 I came from this kind of you know
at 16 I came from this kind of you know tall lanky skinny girl I used that tall
tall lanky skinny girl I used that tall
tall lanky skinny girl I used that tall lanky skinniness to be a great champion
lanky skinniness to be a great champion
lanky skinniness to be a great champion and it transformed my life in the
and it transformed my life in the
and it transformed my life in the process and so yes sport does have the
process and so yes sport does have the
process and so yes sport does have the power to speak to youth in a language
power to speak to youth in a language
power to speak to youth in a language that they understand another is that
that they understand another is that
that they understand another is that trying to think of the next part
sport can create hope where once there
sport can create hope where once there was only despair so every child is born
was only despair so every child is born
was only despair so every child is born with limitless possibilities and
with limitless possibilities and
with limitless possibilities and potential but all too often people are
potential but all too often people are
potential but all too often people are born into circumstances that you know
born into circumstances that you know
born into circumstances that you know really ugly and the good news is that
really ugly and the good news is that
really ugly and the good news is that athletes and kids who participate in
athletes and kids who participate in
athletes and kids who participate in these sports-based youth development
these sports-based youth development
these sports-based youth development programs really find themselves you know
programs really find themselves you know
programs really find themselves you know in programs that take away that despair
in programs that take away that despair
in programs that take away that despair and give them hope fight for peace is a
and give them hope fight for peace is a
and give them hope fight for peace is a wonderful program that uses boxing to
wonderful program that uses boxing to
wonderful program that uses boxing to help kids get out of the horrible slums
help kids get out of the horrible slums
help kids get out of the horrible slums in Jamaica and Brazil there’s another
in Jamaica and Brazil there’s another
in Jamaica and Brazil there’s another one called Magic Bus there in India they
one called Magic Bus there in India they
one called Magic Bus there in India they bring hope to kids in this vicious cycle
bring hope to kids in this vicious cycle
bring hope to kids in this vicious cycle of poverty in India they use physical
of poverty in India they use physical
of poverty in India they use physical education based learning to do that
education based learning to do that
education based learning to do that there’s another organization called
there’s another organization called
there’s another organization called peace players international they use
peace players international they use
peace players international they use basketball in conflict zones to bring
basketball in conflict zones to bring
basketball in conflict zones to bring kids together and help them understand
kids together and help them understand
kids together and help them understand how to communicate and get along with
how to communicate and get along with
how to communicate and get along with people of a different ethnicity worrying
people of a different ethnicity worrying
people of a different ethnicity worrying ethnic groups in some cases I had the
ethnic groups in some cases I had the
ethnic groups in some cases I had the great pleasure a few years ago a few
great pleasure a few years ago a few
great pleasure a few years ago a few months ago of meeting two young women
months ago of meeting two young women
months ago of meeting two young women that one is an arab girl from palestine
that one is an arab girl from palestine
that one is an arab girl from palestine and another is a Jewish girl from from
and another is a Jewish girl from from
and another is a Jewish girl from from Israel the two of them participated in
Israel the two of them participated in
Israel the two of them participated in peace players international you know the
peace players international you know the
peace players international you know the two of them price should never have met
two of them price should never have met
two of them price should never have met but they met through peace players they
but they met through peace players they
but they met through peace players they played on the same basketball team
played on the same basketball team
played on the same basketball team together they learned how to communicate
together they learned how to communicate
together they learned how to communicate and you know she’s not a monster nor see
and you know she’s not a monster nor see
and you know she’s not a monster nor see a monster right i mean they’re just a
a monster right i mean they’re just a
a monster right i mean they’re just a girl just like me and they became best
girl just like me and they became best
girl just like me and they became best friends and this is you know the the
friends and this is you know the the
friends and this is you know the the power of sport to bring people together
power of sport to bring people together
power of sport to bring people together who otherwise wouldn’t in private you
who otherwise wouldn’t in private you
who otherwise wouldn’t in private you know generally hate each other right
know generally hate each other right
know generally hate each other right and now the two girls work for peace
and now the two girls work for peace
and now the two girls work for peace players international their coordinator
players international their coordinator
players international their coordinator and a coach and that’s how I met them we
and a coach and that’s how I met them we
and a coach and that’s how I met them we had a hundred projects a couple 300
had a hundred projects a couple 300
had a hundred projects a couple 300 people in Germany all together to share
people in Germany all together to share
people in Germany all together to share best practices and they are just a
best practices and they are just a
best practices and they are just a delight they’re just the best of friends
delight they’re just the best of friends
delight they’re just the best of friends and love each other and now they’re
and love each other and now they’re
and love each other and now they’re bringing hope to the kids in Israel and
bringing hope to the kids in Israel and
bringing hope to the kids in Israel and Palestine who have faced the same kind
Palestine who have faced the same kind
Palestine who have faced the same kind of challenges they had so sport is
of challenges they had so sport is
of challenges they had so sport is something we all enjoy as athletes as
something we all enjoy as athletes as
something we all enjoy as athletes as coaches fans and maybe administrators or
coaches fans and maybe administrators or
coaches fans and maybe administrators or spectators but it really does have this
spectators but it really does have this
spectators but it really does have this ability to change people’s lives and so
ability to change people’s lives and so
ability to change people’s lives and so what I would encourage us to do is
what I would encourage us to do is
what I would encourage us to do is really harness the power of sport to
really harness the power of sport to
really harness the power of sport to help young people particularly in
help young people particularly in
help young people particularly in underprivileged communities to reach
underprivileged communities to reach
underprivileged communities to reach their full potential and have a build of
their full potential and have a build of
their full potential and have a build of a successful life and in the process we
a successful life and in the process we
a successful life and in the process we can help fulfill Mandela’s mission that
can help fulfill Mandela’s mission that
can help fulfill Mandela’s mission that sport has the power to change the world
sport has the power to change the world
sport has the power to change the world one child at a time thank
one child at a time thank
one child at a time thank [Applause]
”
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