Inner city youth baseball in Atlanta took a big step forward today!

Casey Cavell, owner of D-BAT Atlanta finalized a partnership with L.E.A.D. that will all eight of our partner middle schools to have access to his 22,000 square foot “state of the art” indoor baseball training facility through the spring.  This is a big deal because now hundreds of undeserved middle school males in the Atlanta Public School system will have access to elite training provided by Diamond Directors at an elite training facility.

Click here to learn more about Diamond Directors and D-BAT Atlanta.

In previous years, our middle school teams wouldn’t train in the winter due to a lack of facilities while our competitors trained in preparation for spring and summer baseball.

Some readers may say “good for L.E.A.D.”  Ironically, this is good for Atlanta because the success of L.E.A.D. means that more young men are graduating from high school and college.  L.E.A.D.’s mission is to provide inner city at-risk youth males with access to higher education and civic engagement through baseball.

Did you know that…

• Atlanta Public Schools serve 52,000 students while 80% of those students live at or below the poverty level?
• Atlanta Public Schools graduates 34% of African-American males from high school?
• Students from zip codes 30310, 30315 and 30318 grow up to represent 80% of the Georgia State Prison population?
• Zip code 30314 is the 5th most dangerous community in America?

There are some new celebrities in Atlanta, GA and they are your L.E.A.D. Ambassadors.  The 2012-13 Ambassadors class was introduced to the city on Friday, November 30th at M. Agnes Jones Elementary School during our annual press conference.

The Ambassadors were asked questions by over 100 fourth and fifth graders about how they became Ambassadors, what college they plan to attend and what leadership means to them.

The students were so excited to see our Ambassadors.  They felt like celebrities.  We were wearing our Coke red Nike warm ups and walking with pride.  As we were leaving the school, I heard one of the 5th grade boys say “when I grow up, I want to be an Ambassador!”  That is exactly why we held the press conference at M. Agnes Jones Elementary School in the first place.

On Saturday, December 1st, we held our 6th Annual L.E.A.D. Celebrity Clinic at Turner Field.  We had perfect weather and served over 60 elementary and middle school students throughout metro-Atlanta in a baseball clinic experience the L.E.A.D. Way!  Our Ambassadors were the celebrities and got some support from Dexter Fowler (Colorado Rockies), Jason Heyward (Atlanta Braves), Telvin Nash (Houston Astros), Xavier Avery (Baltimore Orioles), Ty Kelley (LA Angels), Bobby Scales, (LA Angels), Georgia State University baseball team as well as the Lovett and Westminster Schools coaching staff.

On Sunday, December 2nd, we packed the 755 Club once again at Turner Field with our 3rd Annual Dinner With Champions Awards Celebration.  Chuck Dowdle was an amazing emcee.  Legendary football and life coach Vince Dooley was our keynote speaker.  Trust me when I say that he is as good as advertised.

Ambassador Tabias Wimby with Coach Vince Dooley

Our Community Partner Award recipients were Rendell Jackson (Atlanta Public Schools Athletics), Russell Wrenn (The Westminster Schools), Charlie Finch (The Lovett School), and the Miller Brothers (Greg and Robbie Miller).  Our Legacy Builder was the beautiful Charlotte Dixon of Mary Alice and Bennett Brown Foundation.  The L.E.A.D./Fowler Family Award recipients were G.W. and Lorrie Martin and Katrina Johnson.  The Dexter Fowler MVP Award recipient was Carlos Twine Jr.

The highlight of the night was when the Ambassadors received their custom fitted navy blazers from the Miller Brothers.

The night ended as a success and on the way home, Kelli were thinking of how we would raise the bar.  Not sure how we will do it but consider it done.

University of Georgia football has been played since 1892.  Today was my first first experience watching the DAWGS play live at Sanford Stadium.  My wife and I celebrated our 15 year anniversary in the cold with over 90,000 fans.

His name is C.J. Stewart, and he is appreciative of so many things during this time of thanksgiving. For one, he ranks among the primary individuals who helped “L.E.A.D.” Atlanta Braves Gold Glove outfielder Jason Heyward to the Major Leagues.

What a perfect day. My daughters woke me up with laughter and my wife is still her beautiful self. The first thing on my mind as I realize that I’m alive to see another day is thank you Lord. God granted me life today to serve others.

I’ve been passionate about serving others since I can remember. I enjoyed opening the doors for people as a kid and got great pleasure out of hearing people tell me thank you.

My purpose on earth is to serve others. I’m passionate about it. It’s what keeps me going when I’m reaching physical and mental fatigue. People counting on me feels way better than hitting home runs in my Chicago Cubs uniform.

Do you remember what happened on this day November 20th last year? L.E.A.D. officially announced our 18 Ambassadors to the City of Atlanta. This young men are students within the Atlanta Public School System and confessed change agents. Like me, they aren’t perfect but they ain’t afraid of excellence.

They face an uphill battle everyday in their communities due to high crime rates and low graduation rates among African-American males. But on November 20th 2012, Councilman Julian Bond declared November 20th through perpetuity as CJ Stewart and L.E.A.D. Day on behalf of the citizens of Atlanta. C’mon man! We have our own day recognizing our commitment to excellence in academics, athletics, service and exposure. Impact is so important to L.E.A.D. that we measure it.

L.E.A.D. provides the City of Atlanta with over 2,500 hours of service annually and we would like for you to join us. Click here to join our Tailgate Club.

Happy Thanksgiving!