MGB INC. (Men Giving Back), a community-based initiative, in Macon, GA reached out to NFL All Pro, DeSean Jackson, of the Las Vegas Raiders, to support the Kings Park Community Center after school program, that was in dire need of brand new, culturally-diverse and gender-specific books for academic and cultural enrichment. The Kings Park Community Center coordinators said that Mr. Jackson’s donation will meet a critical gap in the academic inequity of disadvantaged youth in the marginalized community that the Kings Park Community Center serves through the after school program, proposed summer academic programs; and, preparing the program participants for college and life.
DeSean Jackson, Las Vegas Raiders, Wide Receiver and DeSean Jackson Foundation, CEO/Founder
The DeSean Jackson Foundation (“DJF”) was founded by DeSean Jackson and his mother, Gayle Jackson, in memory of his father, Bill, who died from Pancreatic Cancer in 2009 during DeSean’s rookie season with the Philadelphia Eagles, for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness and advocacy for inequity in access to quality healthcare and education in the predominantly Black and other marginalized communities. During Jackson’s 14-year career in the NFL, the Jacksons have been successful in expanding the reach of DJF in all of the NFL franchise markets where DeSean has played (Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Football Team, Los Angeles Rams and Las Vegas Raiders) and his home town of Los Angeles. In addition, DeSean embraces opportunities to collaborate with present and former NFL players who desire to Inspire Change in their communities.
Our Vision: One Team, One Purpose
“Building a path out of poverty through educational equity”, states DeSean Jackson, “is a pillar of our non-profit focus on Education Equity for Kids in Need. Our purpose is as bold as my career moves on the field as it is urgent: To create systematic change, To ensure equal access to quality education and To empower all the children in need who we are privileged to serve.” It is imperative that we foster an ongoing love of reading-because reading is foundational and fundamental to everything we do; and, it is unconscionable that millions of children are growing up in book deserts without access to books and the opportunity to open up a world of possibilities, enabling more children to explore places far beyond their neighborhoods.
We have lots of help developing the new Kings Park Community Center Resource Center
MGB Inc. (Men Giving Back), a community-based, initiative founded by former USFL and NFL player, Kelvin Middleton, is the recipient of the prestigious NFL Foundation Players’ Community Service Match grant.
About the NFL Foundation Players’ Community Match Grant Program
This grant is designed to provide nonprofit organizations with funding of up to $5,000 on behalf of a current or former NFL player who has donated financially to a nonprofit organization doing work to better the community . This grant allows NFL players and Legends to help support broad community efforts through the work of nonprofit organizations. Areas of support include, but are not limited to, Disease Prevention and Awareness, Mental Health, Youth Health & Fitness, Military Appreciation, Disaster Relief, Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, Character Education, Anti-Bullying, Animal Welfare, etc. In order to be eligible for match funding (1:1 match must be provided by the current or former NFL player applicant),
DeSean Jackson states that he chose MGB Inc. and its founder, Kelvin Middleton because of the exemplary work that they are doing in the community; and, his admiration for Middleton’s decision to return to Macon after his NFL career ended to make a difference in his community.
Furthermore, Gayle Jackson, DeSean’s mother and Co-Founder of the DeSean Jackson Foundation, states that another reason why they chose to support Kelvin’s organization is because it has always been extremely important for DeSean, throughout his 14 years in the NFL, to learn as much about the NFL’s virtually unknown Legends; and, to give them the respect that they are rightfully due. “To DeSean, Mr. Middleton is one of those Legends”, states Mrs. Jackson. In 1987, Kelvin Middleton was a Pittsburgh Steeler during the infamous NFL players’ strike that divided teams, friends, loyalties and resulted in replacements of players who refused to cross the picket lines; and, the solidarity set the precedence for free agency. Kelvin choose not to cross the picket lines which ended his NFL career; and, to my son, DeSean, Kelvin Middleton is a Legend.
We are honored to present Mr. Middleton with this grant of behalf of the NFL Foundation and the DeSean Jackson Foundation.”
For the past several months our CEO/Founder, Kelvin Middleton, has been meeting with representative from Mercer University to advocate for academic student tutors for the Kings Park Community After School Program that serves disadvantaged youth in a marginalized community in East Macon. Middleton cultivated a partnership between Macon-Bibb County Parks Department, Kings Park Community Development Corporation, Bibb County Public Schools in an effort to launch a pilot literacy program at the Kings Park Community Center where he is a Center Coordinator.
Subsequent meetings and communications between Mr. Middleton and Lauren Shinholster, Mercer University, Coordinator of Community Engagement, Carrie Ingoldsby, Mercer University, Director-Campus Life & Student Engagement, Emily Ogdobo, Mercer University, Mercer Me Serve and Robert Walker, Macon-Bibb County, Director-Parks Department culminated with the approval of the Kings Park Community Center as a site for the 2022-2023 Mercer University Pilot Program. The pilot program will begin in November 2022. Mercer University eventually hopes to replicate this model.
Furthermore, Mr. Middleton assisted Mercer University staff with the research and writing of a 2022 Dollar General Youth Literacy Grant to fund the Kings Park Community-East Macon literacy pilot program. On October 10, Mercer University advised Middleton they were awarded a $3,839 grant from Dollar General to purchase the literacy curriculum; and, Dr. Luther, of their Education Department has agreed to assist with training the Mercer volunteers once the curriculum arrives.
Our sincere thanks to Ms. Lauren Shinholster!
Kelvin Middleton and Lauren Shinholster, Mercer University, Site Visit
For More Information About Mercer University’s Center for Community Engagement and Ms. Shinholser, please read the follow article:
Lauren Shinholster connects students, faculty with service opportunities
Lauren Shinholster is the coordinator of community engagement at Mercer.
It’s no secret that service is one of the pillars of Mercer. At a University where “everyone majors in changing the world,” students are encouraged to get involved in the community early and regularly, and there are many ways that they achieve that.
Mercer’s Center for Community Engagement connects Macon students with volunteer opportunities, and Lauren Shinholster is the coordinator who works behind the scenes to make that happen. The Center served more than 2,800 students through its programs and events during the 2020-21 academic year.
“Service has always been something I’ve been passionate about. I believe deeply that we have to use our gifts and talents to serve the community. I’ve always been called to serve,” she said.
In Florida, Shinholster worked with elementary and middle school students as a community educator for the bicycle and pedestrian safety program at All Children’s Hospital. Two weeks after her husband’s job with Geico brought them to Macon, Shinholster saw the listing for the coordinator of community engagement position at Mercer. She liked the idea of taking on a community educator role in which she would be working with college students.
“When I read the job description, I was like ‘This is me.’ It really spoke to my interests in public service. It was the perfect position at the perfect time,” she said.
Having served in this role for four years now, Shinholster is in charge of a number of service initiatives. She oversees volunteer efforts hosted by MerServe, the University’s student service leadership board, including events like Service Saturdays, Be a Good NeighBear, Spring Break for Service, MLK Day of Service, Lights on Afterschool and Hunger Week. Last year, MerServe hosted 32 events that attracted 1,500 attendees and resulted in nearly 1,600 volunteer hours.
Mercer students prepared and served breakfast for families at the Ronald McDonald House as part of MerServe’s 2019 Spring Break for Service.
MerServe members set the stage for what they want to do, and Shinholster identifies partners and ensures that work sites are safe and job tasks are appropriate.
“Ms. Shinholster and the Center for Community Engagement are the driving force behind the significant service opportunities available to Macon students,” said Dr. Kathy Kloepper, vice provost of engaged learning and director of Research that Reaches Out. “Ms. Shinholster’s passion for bringing together Mercerians and community partners for productive collaboration is clear in the incredible service contributions made throughout the year through such initiatives as Be a Good NeighBear and virtual and in-person tutoring through Read2Succeed.”
Shinholster does a lot of “matchmaking” between Mercerians and local organizations. She seeks out opportunities that are going to be meaningful to students while fitting their schedules.
Many Mercer professors incorporate service-learning into their classes, and they often consult Dr. Kloepper; Hannah Vann Nabi, associate director of the Quality Enhancement Plan; or Shinholster for advice and direction.
“I’ll get the random student that comes in saying, ‘I really want to do some volunteer work, but I don’t know where to start,’” Shinholster said. “Sometimes it’s driven by a class, so they may have some research they want to do or a project and need guidance on how to set a plan in motion. But on the other side, a lot of the (service opportunities) are coming from our community partners. They may have needs but may not have the human capital to get it done.”
Mercer’s longtime community partners include the Fuller Center for Housing in Macon, Campus Clubs after-school program, Daybreak Center, Macon Area Habitat for Humanity, Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful, the United Way and the Bibb County School District.
“For any business, you have to show off all the good that you’re doing. For Mercer, it’s authentic, genuine care for the community and our students,” she said. “They really buy into changing the world. The opportunity to do it through all the service events really allows students to walk the walk. I don’t think you get that everywhere.”
Shinholster is also involved in campus voter engagement initiatives. She has advised Mobilize Mercer for the past four years, helping members as they competed in voter participation contests, registered students to vote, and hosted debate watch parties and election night parties. Last year, the group hosted 13 voter engagement events and co-sponsored an early voting pep rally.
In 2020, Mercer was recognized for its high student voter participation during the SoCon Votes competition and ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. The University was also named an Ask Every Student Commitment Campus.
Political science students set up on Cruz Plaza for National Voter Registration Day in 2020.
Tutoring initiatives are a big chunk of Shinholster’s responsibilities, as she coordinates the paperwork involved, gets students hired and trained, and helps arrange transportation to tutoring sites. Each year, at least 200 Mercer students tutor Bibb County children in math and/or reading for the United Way’s Read2Succeed program and the America Reads/America Counts (ARAC) federal work-study program.
Tutors worked with students in 12 elementary schools and Campus Clubs this past year, and three additional schools will participate during the upcoming school year.
Some Mercer professors — including those teaching integrated curriculum (INT) 101, INT 201, life skills for first-year student-athletes, psychology, and law and public policy — have their students become Read2Succeed tutors as a service-learning aspect of their courses.
“It’s so easy to take for granted things that are part of your job, but when I hear from students how transformative an experience was for them, it makes me so grateful to play a small part in that,” Shinholster said.
Due to the pandemic, participation in Read2Succeed last year was restricted to the ARAC work-study tutors, who piloted virtual tutoring through the Microsoft Teams platform, and service-learning classes and other student volunteers, who created read-aloud videos instead.
Rebuilding and expanding tutoring services will be a major priority for the upcoming year, Shinhoster said. Service-learning tutoring will resume through virtual methods. The Center for Community Engagement hopes to hire 150 ARAC work-study tutors, and the United Way will hire a limited number of non-work-study tutors.
Another of Shinholster’s goals for the 2021-22 year is to work on changing the way the community and its needs are framed. Students often hear about the negative aspects of Macon, which doesn’t paint a fair picture.
“I’m hoping to grow our non-service community engagement and have our students go out to all the amazing events that are going on in our community. I want our students to see themselves and the community as tremendous assets,” she said.
MGB INC. (Men Giving Back) played an integral role in helping the historical Kings Park Community neighborhood association plan and execute its annual Easter Hunt for the youth in the Kings Park Community. The event was held at the Kings Park Community Center in East Macon and was hosted by the Kings Park Community neighborhood association and well attended by approximately 40 children, their parents/guardians, Kings Park residents and a Macon-Bibb Co. recreation staff member.
Kelvin Middleton, CEO, of MGB INC., was instrumental in securing in-kind donations and sponsorships from NFL All Pro, DeSean Jackson, MGB INC., and local community stakeholders for decorations, plastic and gold eggs, baskets, candy and door prizes. Macon-Bibb Co. Parks & Recreation provided a small monetary donations that were placed in the gold eggs hidden in the grass and some food. The neighborhood association provided additional food and oversaw the event.
MGB INC. RECEIVES 2019 SAUCONY RUN FOR GOOD FOUNDATION GRANT
MGB INC. is the proud recipient of the prestigious 2019 Saucony Run for Good Foundation grant of $10,000. The Saucony Run for Good Foundation was established to help combat childhood obesity by providing financial support to community-based youth running programs. The mission of the Saucony Foundation is to improve the lives of children by further optimizing the impact and success of community organizations that inspire kids to run. Since 2006, the Saucony Run for Good Foundation has awarded over one million dollars to nearly 120 schools and community organizations–all dedicated to preventing childhood obesity through running and an active lifestyle.
According the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), childhood obesity has more than tripled over the past 30 years. One of five children, age 6 to 11, is considered obese. The number are even higher in African American and Hispanic communities, where nearly 40% of the children are overweight or obese. Many will face chronic obesity-related health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer and asthma.
Kelvin Middleton, President/CEO, of MGB INC. states that Macon has the highest obesity rate of similar major cities in the United States according to a recent study conducted by the New York University School of Medicine, Department of Public Health. (Macon Telegraph, May 21, 2018). “We are facing a crisis epidemic”, states Middleton, “and we cannot wait for anyone else to save our children and families.” The Saucony Run for Good Foundation brand is focused on runners and social responsibility; and, will directly help combat childhood obesity and also include instruction related nutrition, self-esteem, social skills and making appropriate, healthy choices.
College Football Hall of Fame, Atlanta, GA • Saturday, February 10, 2018
Press Release
The Black College Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2018 was honored at the Ninth Annual Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Presented by the Atlanta Falcons on February 10, 2018. The sold-out Induction Ceremony was held at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Class of 2018 includes Harold Carmichael (Southern), Raymond Chester (Morgan State), Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson(Langston University), Leo “Lincoln Locomotive” Lewis (Lincoln), Greg Lloyd (Fort Valley State), Everson Walls (Grambling State)as player inductees and Coach Bill Hayes (Winston-Salem State and North Carolina A&T).
“This class represents three Super Bowl rings, 18 Pro Bowl selections and several Black College Football championships,” said BCFHOF Co-Founder and 2011 Inductee, Doug Williams. “Take a look at what they’ve done off the field as well, and each has earned this incredible honor.”
Votes were tallied from the 12-member Selection Committee, comprised of prominent journalists, commentators and historians, as well as former NFL General Managers and executives, and from previous BCFHOF inductees to determine the 2018 Inductees.
Bowie State junior quarterback Amir Hall was selected as the 2017 recipient of the Black College Football Player of the Year Award. He was presented with the Deacon Jones Trophy, named in honor of the football legend and inaugural Black College Football Hall of Fame inductee.
Arizona Cardinals Safety Antoine Bethea was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Black College Football Pro Player of the Year Award, presented by the NFLPA. It will be awarded annually to the most outstanding professional football player from a Historically Black College and University.
The Inductees were also recognized on ESPN at the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta on December 16th, 2017.
2018 – All of the Past and Present Black College Hall of Fame Inductees
The Doug Williams Family
2018 – Inductee Banners
Amir Hall with Black College HOF Trustees – Doug Williams, Willie Lanier, Mel Blount, Art Shell
Antoine Bethea with Steve and Carl
Claude Everson, Butch, Mel Blount, Doug Williams, Burrough
Doug Williams and Everson Walls
Doug Williams and Kelvin Middleton – Former USFL Oklahoma/Arizona Team Members
Harold Jackson, Hollywood Henderson, Mel Blount
Kelvin Middleton and Greg Lloyd – Former NFL Pittsburgh Steelers Team Members
McKenzie and Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama Quarterback
Gregg Lloyd Interview – 2018 BCF HOF Inductee & Fort Valley & Former Pittsburgh Steelers
Gregg Lloyd – Autograph Session – 2018 Black College HOF Inductee
Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama Quarterback and Kelvin Middleton
History
Black College Football began play in 1892 with segregation well-established and heavily managed with Jim Crow laws. Following World War I the sport of college football ignited the passions of patriotism, pride and school spirit as America had found a new past time.
From the cotton fields of the South to the slums of major cities, young black boys dreamed of glory in this newfound game with the only problem being that they couldn’t play the sport wherever they wanted. For more than 70 years, young black college-bound football players flocked to black colleges and universities. While the major state institutions allowed only a trickle of black players into their programs, the vast majority of black football players, prior to 1965, played at Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs).
Black College Hall of Fame – History
Born of farms and city neighborhoods and with little to no formal football training, coaches with little notoriety or glamour, gave of themselves for their love of the game. These teachers of men faced inferior facilities, less than stellar equipment and very few venues in which to showcase the enormous talent, thus establishing a trend that continues through today.
About The Black College Hall Of Fame
The Black College Football Hall of Fame was founded in 2009 by African-American pioneers, quarterbacks James Harris and Doug Williams to preserve the history and honor the greatest football players, coaches and contributors from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). There have been 64 Inductees since inception, including Mel Blount, James Harris, Willie Lanier, Art Shell and Doug Williams, who serve as Trustees.
The Black College Football Hall of Fame is presented annually by The Shack Harris & Doug Williams Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization.
Empowering Students to Adopt Healthy Lifestyles
Introducing the Inaugural Funding Opportunity
The inaugural funding opportunity will support schools participating in the Presidential Youth Fitness Program for the 2013–2014 and 2014–2015 school years.* Applications will be accepted online from April 1 through April 30, 2013.
*This is a private funding program administered by the AAU, AAHPERD, NFFSN, and The Cooper Institute®, co-sponsors of the PYFP. This is not a government grant program. The availability and administration of this funding opportunity, including the selection of recipients and all other decisions of the funding program, are not endorsed by any federal agency or office. No federal funds are being used in or for the administration or awarding of this private funding opportunity.
What the Funding Covers
This funding opportunity supports participation in the Presidential Youth Fitness Program for a period of two years—providing eligible schools with 100% of the elements that make up the three core pillars of the Presidential Youth Fitness Program for Year 1 and 50% matching support for Year 2. For a school of 500 students, the dollar equivalent for funding is $1,402 for Year 1 and $526 for Year 2. Schools that are selected to receive funding will not receive a check to purchase materials or supplies. The core program elements, below, will be sent directly to the school from the supplier:
1)FITNESSGRAM® assessment: Funded schools will receive one site license of the FITNESSGRAM/ACTIVITYGRAM® 9.x software1; annual access to the latest edition of the e-book version of the FITNESSGRAM manual, test administration videos, and cadences for tests (PACER, push-up, and curl-up); annual technical support for the FITNESSGRAM 9.x site license; annual web hosting by The Cooper Institute®; and the ability to print or email student reports. Please note that there are specific software needs that must be met in order for aspects of FITNESSGRAM 9.x software to function properly2.
2)Professional development and education for physical educators: Physical educators will receive access to a series of self-paced, virtual training opportunities and web-based resources to facilitate successful program implementation.
3)Awards and recognition for students: Schools will receive a quantity3 of Presidential Youth Fitness Awards (emblems and certificates) to present to students in recognition of their achieving the Healthy Fitness Zone® standard on at least five test items from the six fitness/health components.
What the Funding Doesn’t Cover
These items are NOT covered:
The staff time required by the school IT department to set up software in Year 1 (2013–2014)
The purchase of instructional materials used to conduct the various tests in the FITNESSGRAM® assessment (see below)
Substitute teacher costs associated with physical education teacher participation in professional development trainings
A project manager nor a grant manager
Instructional materials may include gym mats, cones, scales, a CD player, a stop watch, a whistle, calipers, masking or athletic tape, and a sit-and-reach box. Instructional materials that may be used are dependent upon the test item offered and preference of the educator.
Eligibility and Responsibilities
See if your school meets the eligibility requirements, as well as the terms and conditions. And get your application started today!
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1Human Kinetics is a third-party vendor of the FITNESSGRAM/ACTIVITYGRAM® software and related manuals, guides, and technical support.
2Browser requirements: Internet Explorer 7 or above; Firefox 2 or 3. Software does not support Safari nor Google Chrome. Connectivity, school use: T1 or fiber optic lines. We highly recommend a fast, secure, and stable connection. Otherwise, the user experience will not be optimal. Screen resolution: 1024 x 768. For FITNESSGRAM reports (generated as PDFs), schools and homes must have Adobe Reader 7 or above. If you’re using Windows VISTA OS, you must use Adobe Reader 9.
3Quantity is 50% of student enrollment. Data indicates that approximately 40% (or less) of students participating in the FITNESSGRAM assessment achieve the Healthy Fitness Zone on five or more events. Extra awards can be kept by the school and used for following years’ implementation of the Presidential Youth Fitness Program.
DeSean Jackson caps off his 65 yard touchdown return vs. the New York Giants in 2010 ( (Chris Faytok/The Star-Ledger))
Eliot Shorr-Parks, NJ.com By Eliot Shorr-Parks, NJ.com
on April 09, 2013 at 1:25 PM, updated April 09, 2013 at 1:35 PM
[Reprinted by MGB-Men Giving Back, Wednesday, April 10, 2013.]
Eagles DeSean Jackson’s game-winning punt return vs. Giants voted NFL’s ‘Greatest Play Ever’
Dubbed “Miracle at the Meadowlands No.2″, DeSean Jackson’s amazing punt return vs. the New York Giants in 2010 has been voted the “Greatest Play of All Time” by NFL.com
Jackson’s 65 yard game winning punt return- with no time left on the clock- beat out a Steve Young touchdown run vs. the Minnesota Vikings. Jackson’s punt return won by close to 16 million votes (58,635,836 to 42,853,011). The winner was decided by a fan vote.
The voting has been going on for close to a month and started with 64 plays. Jackson’s punt return beat out a Michael Vick touchdown run, a hail mary by Billy ‘White Shoes’ Johnson, a touchdown run by Barry Sanders, ‘The Catch’, and a Troy Polamalu flying tackle.
Jackson’s famous touchdown came on December 19th with just 12 seconds left, capping off a 21-point comeback by the Eagles. After fumbling the punt initially, Jackson took off and went almost untouched on his way to end zone. Tom Coughlin told Matt Dodge to not punt the ball to Jackson, but the punter was unable to do so.
At the time, the win was viewed as the start of something special for the Eagles. Things did not workout that way, however, as they lost in the first round of the playoffs that year. It was a devastating loss for the Giants as it kept them out of the playoffs.
MGB INC. - Men Giving Back 