Without Mothers, the world would not exist. I have come to realize over the years watching my wife that being a mother is two full time jobs. My daughters excel in school because of Kelli. They strive to be servant leaders like their mom. They are also amazingly beautiful like their mom. I’m going to really be in trouble. Lol.

I am so happy today that I am also able to partner with over 200 mothers in the Atlanta Public School System to help them graduate their sons from high and enroll in college. My youth development organization L.E.A.D., Inc. serves middle and high school age boys so you already know the challenge that we face. L.E.A.D.’s mission is to provide inner city Atlanta at-risk males with access to higher education and civic engagement through baseball. Click here to check out our success.

As much as I hate to admit it, I gave my mom some fits when I was a teenager. Boys reach a certain age when we think that we can handle the hardships of the world by ourselves. I thank God for my mother and my community of believers being patient with me. Mothers are by nature nurturing and forgiving. Life is tough and often times neither nurturing or forgiving. I pray for strength for our mothers in the inner city of Atlanta today. The social life is different than it was when I was growing up. Boys are tempted with opportunities that I didn’t know existed until I was an adult. Better days are ahead because God is in total control.

Lots of laughter, good food and story telling today. I salute all the Mothers today and you are in my prayers.

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Proverbs 31:30

It’s a little bit after midnight and I am wired.  I had so much fun today during Hats Off on the campus of GA Tech.  Hats Off is a signature event of L.E.A.D. that provides young men (LEADers) in our organization exposure to career opportunities.

GA Tech Athletics is a national brand and located right down the street from thousands of students in the Atlanta Public School System (APS).  To become a student-athlete at GA Tech requires sacrifice and commitment to academics and your sport.  Tonight, GA Tech welcomed over 100 of our Middle School LEADers from APS to get a behind the scene view of GA Tech Athletics.

We were greeted at the main entrance by Nick Scherer (Director of Baseball Operations) followed by a tour of the indoor batting cages, locker room, weight room and dugout.  Our LEADers had the opportunity to meet Walter Smith (Sports Medicine Assistant Athletic Trainer).  Mr. Walt makes sure that all of the players are healthy and able to compete.  Head Baseball Coach Danny Hall had encouraging words for our LEADers while they were hanging out in the dugout.  It was really difficult for them to pay attention to him because of their admiration of the baseball field and Atlanta skyline.  This was a totally different view of Atlanta for them.

They were eager to find out what was next. We were escorted like celebrities to the new John and Mary Brock Football Practice Facility where we were allowed to run around with the GA Tech mascot “Buzz”. The laughter was music to my ears.  I was inspired to attend college when I was 16 years of age while attending a GA Tech vs. NC State baseball game.  After working up an appetite, we enjoyed pizza and cupcakes.  Thank you Mary Jo Walker!

Now the fun begins.  It’s time to take the hats off and hear from some important individuals that go to bat for L.E.A.D.  Our LEADers were privileged to spend some quality time with Dan Radakovich (GA Tech Athletic Director). He is truly an amazing gentleman that understands the need for L.E.A.D.  If L.E.A.D. wins, the city of Atlanta wins.  Dan introduced us to Mr. Roddy Jones who is a former GA Tech student-athlete that lettered in football and baseball.  He is currently in graduate school at GA Tech after a successful career on the field.

I was so proud of our young men for remaining engaged while our speakers shared their path to a successful career.  Mr. Taz Anderson empowered them with his football stories and success as an entrepreneur.  He is a class act.  Then we heard from Beau King and Abby Perez.  Their father Kim King grew up in the West End of Atlanta and used athletics to provide him with access to a college education.  The LEADers really connected with the story about their father.  Our final speaker was Mr. Tucker Barr who was also a student-athlete at GA Tech and is now an attorney of Arnall, Golden and Gregory.

As we left the football practice facility, we entered the baseball field from left field with all eyes on us.  There were over a 2,000 GA Tech and Georgia Bulldog fans in the stands.  Our LEADers were loving the well deserved attention.  Tyquavious Noland didn’t want the night to end.

The first pitch was finally thrown.  They had the unique opportunity to watch the game with Victor Menocal who is also a GA Tech alum who played baseball for the Yellow Jackets.  Victor is now a baseball agent for Excel Sports Management and represents Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman to name a few.

What a day as I rub my eyes trying to fight sleep.  I took as many photos as I could with my iPhone but Dion Standford had the professional camera to capture the moments.

Our mission was accomplished tonight.  It was the first time on a college campus for several of our LEADers.  L.E.A.D. provides inner city at-risk males with access to higher education and civic engagement through baseball.  Our Hats Off event tonight allowed us to nurture the seeds planted with regards to attending college.

Special thanks to Wayne Hogan (Associate Director of Athletics-Public Relations) for making this event possible for L.E.A.D. Thank you Wayne for going to bat for us.

Our next signature event is our 3rd Annual Ambassadors Signing Day at Turner Field.  Hopefully we will see you there.  Click here to learn more about this event.

I remember going to my first college baseball game when I was 16 years old in 1992. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets were playing the NC State Wolfpack at Russ Chandler stadium. It was also my first time on a college campus.  That experience was one that shaped my focus for the rest of my life. Attending college became a goal of mine after that evening experience with Coach TJ Wilson.

On Wednesday, May 9th, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket baseball team will host over 100 of the LEADers from my L.E.A.D. Middle School Baseball Development League. The Yellow Jackets will be playing against the Georgia Bulldogs. The atmosphere is guaranteed to be electric. It will be exciting to see which team the LEADers adopt as their own- will they choose to Bark of Buzz?

The young men will have have the opportunity to tour the Georgia Tech athletic facilities as well as meet Head Coach Danny Hall and other athletic staff. The icing on the cake will be their first time meeting of Georgia Tech alum and successful entrepreneur: Taz Anderson. Abby Perez and Beau King from the Kim King Foundation will also be there to meet the LEADers. They are successful entrepreneurs and the children of the legendary and late Kim King who is also a Georgia Tech alum. The Kim King Foundation is a supporter of L.E.A.D.’s Middle School Baseball Development League.

This is truly going to be a life changing exposure opportunity for our LEADers that will ultimately benefit the city of Atlanta. L.E.A.D.’s mission is to provide inner city at risk youth males with access to higher education an civic engagement through baseball.  We are all in this together. Click here to learn more about L.E.A.D.

Our spring middle school baseball season is almost over. A champion will be crowned on Saturday, May 12th at Booker T. Washington High School.

I have seen amazing development in the areas of fielding, pitching and hitting. I’m most impressed with the improved baseball IQ of our LEADers. Our coaches have worked really hard to teach the game of baseball away from the field.  Baseball requires so much patience and critical thinking.  It is the perfect sport to compliment academic excellence.

High school coaches in the Atlanta Public School System will soon inherit some talented young baseball players that are committed to being successful on and off the field.  Unfortunately, our playoffs this weekend will end the season of several schools. One season ends but another begins in June when the Junior Ambassadors compete and receive academic enrichment through August. Then comes our fall Legacy League.  L.E.A.D. is serious about providing inner city Atlanta middle and high school age males with access to higher education and civic engagement through baseball.

It has been a pleasure to watch the development of the LEADers and their coaches. With so much negative press surrounding APS, teachers and principals are able kick back and watch their students represent their schools with pride.  The scoreboard will dictate who wins the game on the field but our LEADers are winning at the game of life. Thank you gentlemen for your commitment and sacrifice during this 2012 L.E.A.D. Middle School Development League season.

Without the giants in my life, I don’t think that I will ever be successful. Giants prevent you from becoming complacent. They force you to be innovative. GIANTS force you to connect and depend on God.

When facing my GIANTS, I often times react with doubt and frustration until I realize that every problem also presents an opportunity.

God has a plan for us all and has promised that he will never forsake us. HE has also promised that all things work together for good to those who love and serve HIM faithfully (Romans 8:28). With that, I can rest and be assured that we will be victorious.

When facing GIANTS, there are three things that we must do in order to win.

First, we must take our problems, concerns, doubts, etc. to God in prayer first. In order to hear a response, we must have a relationship with God. How do you feel when someone only comes around when they need something. God is our father and chastens us like our earthly father does and he wants us to call on and depend on HIM first.

Second, we must be patient and wait on God to do his will. This is especially difficult for me since I like to figure things out on my own. God knows what is best for us. We have to trust HIM. Trusting HIM is taking action based on our belief in HIM.

Third, we must remain positive. I have learned so much from negative experiences. Storms bring doubt and fear. A good friend of mine told me that rainbows always follow storms and that is a true statement.

If you aren’t facing a GIANT today it is only because he hasn’t exposed himself yet. They are all around us but what a blessing it is to be equipped to fight them. Live to today!