Sport Has the Power to Change the World | Benita Fitzgerald Mosley | TEDxAshburn

I am happier with you tonight at the

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]