A phenomenal man who lived a phenomenal life, impacting so many in a phenomenal way. The arc of Tommy’s life has demonstrated that you can be successful in business and continuously serve your community. You can educate and empower others and give voice to the voiceless by speaking truth to power, all while mentoring the next generation of leaders. Every area of his life he dedicated to public service is important, but mentoring youth was his passion. It comes across crystal clear in his book The Miracles of Mentoring: How to Encourage and Lead Future Generations. Chairman Thomas W. Dortch, Jr. was a change Maker and a legend in the African American community. He will be missed but never forgotten. His leadership will remain an inspiration for generations to come.
MGB INC. is pleased to announce that it was successful in cultivating a partnership with Cox Communications that culminated in the development of a Cox Innovation Lab/workspace in the Kings Park Community for youth in Out-Of-School Programming or those who lack access to technology. The innovation lab is located in the Kings Park Community Center, in East Macon, 3283 Kingston Court, Macon, GA 31217.
For several months, Kelvin Middleton and MGB Inc. advocated, on behalf of the initial incorporators of the Kings Park Community neighborhood association, its families and children who were impacted greatly by lack of access to digital technology. Cox agreed to provide an in-kind donation of laptops, chairs, 50″ flat screen and workstation/conference table. The lab is located in the Kings Park Community Center which was built in 2017 with Blight Remediation Program funds allocated for Commission District 3 for the purpose of providing a community meeting space for the Kings Park neighborhood association (501 (c)(3) and its residents. The generous donation from Cox was made to the Kings Park community from MGB INC.
Kelvin Middleton leveraged the Cox Communications partnership and technology donation to develop additional corporate/community partnerships that helped the Kings Park families & children:
Mercer University/MerServe Partnership. Developed a Pilot Literacy Program with student academic tutors, 3 days/week. Also, developed arts, crafts and special events.
Bibb County Board of Education. Provided Kings Park Community youth remote access to Tutor.Com from the Cox Technology Lab, 24/7
Mr. Middleton also states that Cox usually develops its Cox Innovation Labs in large non-profit networks such as the Boys & Girls Clubs; therefore, the Kings Park Community has truly been blessed with their generosity and investment in their youth.
Providing Technology Access to Young People
Support from Cox bridges the digital divide for many disadvantaged young people. Cox generously provides contributions to fund technology centers in key Cox markets. In total, Cox has distributed nearly $25 million in cash and in-kind internet, cable and advertising support. Providing low-cost internet service through its Connect2Compete program, Cox and its local affiliates have also established significant advances in digital literacy for many Boys & GirlsClubs across the nation.
Through its partnerships, Cox is committed to creating meaningful moments of human connection through its technology grant program. Since 2003, Cox has partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to provide more that 100 state-of-the-art innovation labs across the nation. The $20,000 grant from Cox allows the individual Clubs to install these labs that provide students with computer literacy skills and help bridge the digital divise for those without access to a computer or internel at home. Labs are a safe place for youth to explore their interest in STEAM fields and give youth access to vital technology, tools and high-speed technology.
About Cox Communications
Cox Communications is committed to creating meaningful moments of human connection through technology. The largest private broadband company in America, we proudly serve six and a half million homes and businesses across 18 states. We’re dedicated to empowering others to build a better future and celebrate diverse products, people, suppliers, communities and the characteristics that make each one unique. Cox Communications is the largest division of Cox Enterprises, a family-owned business founded in 1898 by Governor James M. Cox.
Mercer University MerServe, a group of students with a passion for service and leadership, recently held a “Paint and Sip” event, at the Kings Park Community Center in East Macon for the youth in the Out-Of-School-Program. The event was a huge success!
Art transcends cultural boundaries. – Thomas KinKade
All art should inspire and evoke emotion. Art should be something you can actually feel and it is a safe space where you can express yourself without using words. – Kelvin B. Middleton
HISTORY
MerServe was founded the summer of 2015 by a group of students with a passion for service and leadership. Upon its creation, MerServe had two goals: provide opportunities for student leadership in the service field and give students opportunities to serve and connect with their greater community.
The first board consisted of 11 board members and an executive director. Since then, the board has grown to 14 board members and 3 executive members.
Merserve is a student-led service programming board dedicated to providing opportunities for Mercer students, faculty, and staff to connect with the surrounding community. As students, we are looking to make sustainable changes in Macon to better our city.
On January 9, 2023, my former USFL Oklahoma Outlaws teammate, Dewey McClain, was sworn in for his 6th term as a Georgia State Representative for District 109.
For this term, Dewey McClain will serve as the Chairman of the Gwinnett House delegation and is looking forward to serving with the largest class of first term legislators. That is 43 and counting!
After he retired from football, McClain went to work for the city of Atlanta. He worked in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs for 18 years, and for the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency for four years. In 2013, Dewey became the president of the Atlanta North Georgia Labor Council, an affiliate of the AFL–CIO.
McClain ran for the Georgia House of Representatives, to serve the 100th district, which took place on November 5, 2013. He was the only candidate on the ballot, and won the race uncontested. He was sworn into office on December 5, 2013 and has continued to serve his constituents so honorably.
Congratulations, Honorable Georgia Representative, District 109, Dewey McClain!
Kelvin B. Middleton, MGB INC. and former USFL Oklahoma Outlaws
FILE – Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris stands next a statute of himself on Sept. 12, 2019, at Pittsburgh International Airport near Pittsburgh. Harris died on Wednesday morning, Dec. 21, 2022, at age 72, just two days before the 50th anniversary of The Immaculate Reception. (Nate Guidry/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP, File)
By WPXI.com News Staff, December 21, 2022 at 9:02 pm EST
On the week of the 50th anniversary of the “Immaculate Reception,” professional football’s greatest play in league history, the playmaker has died.
Franco Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers Hall-of-Famer, died overnight, his son told the Associated Press. He was 72.
On the week of the 50th anniversary of the “Immaculate Reception,” professional football’s greatest play in league history, the playmaker has died.
Franco Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers Hall-of-Famer, died overnight, his son told the Associated Press. He was 72.
On Thursday, November 3rd, Mercer University’s MerServe student volunteers launched the 2022-2023 Kings Park Community-East Macon literacy pilot program, “Empower Hour”, at the Kings Park Community Center After School Program. For the past several months, Kelvin Middleton, CEO/Founder, MGB Inc., and a Kings Park Community Center Coordinator, has been meeting with Lauren Shinholster, of Mercer University, and Emily Ogdobo, Mercer University, MerServe, Youth Engagement and Development, representative, in an effort to develop a strategic plan for a Peer-To-Peer pilot program for the marginalized community.
Once a comprehensive plan was developed, the concept had to be approved by Mercer University and Macon-Bibb County, Parks & Recreation, Director, Robert Walker. Next, Ms. Ogdobo had to utilize her position with the Merserve program to advocate for the student-led organization to approve this project and solicit and train Mercer University student volunteers.
Mr. Middleton states that it was difficult meeting the criteria for Mercer University’s consideration for approval initially because the Kings Park Community Center only has a 2,300 sq. ft. meeting space; therefore, limited capacity for the After School Program, and also lacks digital technology (computers, laptops, I-Pads, etc.) for the students. However, Ms. Shinholster and her colleagues, at Mercer University, resorted to grant research and writing to fund the program and secured a $3,900 Dollar General Literacy Program grant to purchase program curriculum and track outcomes. Our sincere thanks also to Mercer University representatives Vickie Luther, Hannah Nabi, Associate Director of Engagement Learning, and Carrie Ingoldsby, Director of Student Life & Student Involvement.
Middleton will continue to work towards developing a viable resource for digital technology for the students in the After School Program; and, was informed by Curlanda Smith, of Bibb County Public Schools, that each Bibb County Public Schools student can access its free, on-line tutoring software remotely from the Kings Park Community Center.
Peer-to-Peer Tutoring by Mercer University student volunteer with purple hair reaches our kids where they are in life.
HISTORY
MerServe was founded the summer of 2015 by a group of students with a passion for service and leadership. Upon its creation, MerServe had two goals: provide opportunities for student leadership in the service field and give students opportunities to serve and connect with their greater community.
The first board consisted of 11 board members and an executive director. Since then, the board has grown to 14 board members and 3 executive members.
Merserve is a student-led service programming board dedicated to providing opportunities for Mercer students, faculty, and staff to connect with the surrounding community. As students, we are looking to make sustainable changes in Macon to better our city.
The Kings Park Community Center, After School Program, boys’ reading group assisted the center staff with unpacking, sorting and displaying a large donation of brand new books from the Community Foundation of Central Georgia, Linda Harriet Lane Fund for a Pilot Empowerment Literacy Program that will serve all youth in the historical Kings Park Community.
The community has been identified as a “book desert” which are concentrated in low-income communities across the U.S. that lack access to educational equity and books. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic the youth in these communities were disadvantaged: and, the closing of schools, remote learning, isolation, lack of access to digital technology; and, subsequent academic and Covid-19 memory regression for vulnerable children in low-income, disenfranchised communities is exacerbated.
Kelvin Middleton, CEO/Founder, of MGB Inc., states, “Books are critical and access to those resources is one of the greatest contributors to educational equity. Research shows that just the presence of books in the home improves education outcomes. Books and resources impact everything from psychological wellbeing to academic performance, but kids in need don’t have that advantage. Therefore, MGB Inc. must advocate for the kids in Kings Park and develop community partnerships that will address that critical gap.” Six months ago, there were no new, culturally-diverse, age appropriate or gender-specific reading materials in the Kings Park Community.
Today, the library includes a diverse compilation of authors such as Barack and Michele Obama, Beyonce’, Disney, Ryan Shazier, Amanda Gorman, Russell Wilson and Ciara Wilson, Chelsea Clinton, Stephen Curry, Lebron James, Shaquille O’Neil, and Coretta Scott King. Mr. Middleton states that is essential to build a community library, in Kings Park, offering 10-20 books per student in the After School Program that reflect the diverse and unique stories of our students; and, that we develop a “lending library” so the students can take the books home and encourage others in the home to share the love of reading together.
Taking a Well-Deserved Break and Having a Snack!
Note: The Community Foundation of Central Georgia was founded in 1993 by a group of citizens interested in encouraging philanthropy and strengthening communities. Since then, the foundation has awarded more than $100 million in grants. Our donors make possible the foundation’s mission to enhance the quality of life for the people of Central Georgia. To learn more, visit cfcga.org.
Reading is a foundational skill necessary for virtually everything we do. It opens possibilities for all children to succeed—to learn and grow, to explore and imagine, to investigate and verify, and to lead fulfilling lives. Reading well instills confidence and helps reduce inequities. The disruptions due to the pandemic make focusing on literacy even more important, to assist our students not just to catch up but to thrive.
Thanks to the American Federation of Teachers’ (“AFTA”) for distributing more than one-half million books through their Reading Opens the World Initiative that is focused on Education Equity for kids in marginalized and low-income communities and Title I. Schools; and, provides new books, learning materials and other essentials.
AFT has held more than more than 140 events in 26 states and Puerto Rico at schools, community centers such the Kings Park Community Center-East Macon after school progra, faith-based organizations and union halls, with many more planned to continue to spread the joy of reading.
The American Federation of Teachers’ Reading Opens the World initiative focuses on:
Giving teachers and school staff the tools and professional development that translate the science of reading into usable resources to help students read and read well.
Giving parents and caregivers fun and research-based tips and tools to support literacy.
Building on and forging new connections among families, communities, educators and schools to be partners in students’ literacy.
Giving children and young people free books to read, love and keep, because …
Congrats to NFL All Pro, DeSean Jackson, on his First Super Bowl Championship Honor, from MGB Inc. (Men Giving Back) – Macon, GA.
DeSean Jackson was part of the Los Angeles Rams’ Super Bowl ring bestowment ceremonies, as he showcased his Super Bowl ring on his Instagram story. The veteran receiver, who remains a free agent, earned the first championship honor of his career despite asking to be traded from the Los Angeles Rams prior to the postseason, his last game in blue and yellow coming in October.
Born in Los Angeles, Jackson later starred at Cal-Berkeley before the Philadelphia Eagles drafted him in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
Jackson earned 221 yards on only eight receptions in seven games with Los Angeles, most of that tally coming in the Rams’ September victory over the defending champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He and the Rams parted ways midway through the season after he struggled to gain opportunities behind Cooper Kupp, Van Jefferson, and Robert Woods.
Los Angeles attempted to find a training partner and outright released him in November when such efforts proved futile. Jackson signed with the Las Vegas Raiders shortly after and earned 249 yards on 13 receptions in nine games, including a Wild Card appearance against the Rams’ Super Bowl opponents from Cincinnati.
The sign of goodwill from the Rams is perhaps no surprise after head coach Sean McVay admitted that Jackson deserved better opportunities than what he was offered in Los Angeles.
“I think really, what it boils down to is opportunities that I think he’s deserving of and the situation and some of the circumstances that surround it,” McVay said, per the team website. “We had a good conversation … we’re working through some things with him. We are allowing him to be able to look into some options for himself.”
Jackson has never appeared in a Super Bowl, his closest attempt coming after his rookie season in 2008. Despite a strong effort in the NFC title game (92 yards and a score), Jackson and the Eagles fell to the Arizona Cardinals 32-25.
Kelvin Middleton, CEO/Founder, MGB Inc. states that DeSean Jackson, and his mother, Gayle, have always been avid supporters of his grassroots, community-based initiative that focuses on disadvantaged, marginalized children, youth and families in Macon. Recently, Jackson awarded MGB Inc. his NFL Foundation Social Justice grant and donated hundreds of brand, new multi-cultural books to develop a library for the youth at the Kings Park Community Center; and, he provided all of the items and decorations for the annual Kings Park Community Center Easter Egg Hunt.
Furthermore, Middleton also states that DeSean has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to charities and individuals throughout his career many of which were not published and never will be known. Some of the major donations that Middleton states Jackson made was about $400,000 to develop AFYL team, the Cali Bears Youth Football & Cheer, 5 tackle teams, ages 14U disadvantaged youth; and, his annual DeSean Jackson FAST Camps for 250-300 youth during the off season (free). For more information please visit http://www.deseanjacksonsfoundation.org.
MGB Inc. (Men Giving Back), a grassroots community-based initiative, in Macon, GA, recently took the lead in advocating for equity in access to education; and, the tools to succeed for the vulnerable families and children in the marginalized Kings Park Community-East Macon.
MGB Inc. developed a collaboration between public, private, and community stakeholders with a vested interested in the health, education and welfare of the vulnerable youth in the Kings Park community. According to the National Retail Federation, parents are expected to spend about $661 to $864 on K-12 school supplies for the 2022-23 academic year which is a 30-year all-time high and increase of over 32%. School clothing prices have also soared over 20% and food prices have soared over a 40-year high which disparately impacts and exacerbates the health, education and well-being of the most vulnerable in our communities. An added cost this school year was the critical need to secure mesh or clear backpacks for all students in our school system in compliance with the Macon Violence Program and school safety mandates. Therefore used backpacks handed down could not be used; and, the availability of clear and mesh in Macon to purchase and also on-line were extremely limited and costly.
Consequently, MGB Inc. utilized its partnerships with the Bibb County Public Schools, Community Foundation of Central Georgia, Linda Harriet Lane Fund and MGB Inc. resources to provide compliant backpacks, school supplies, uniform shirts, shoes and basic necessities for fifty (50) youth in the Kings Park Community Summer and After School Programs.
MGB Inc. works tirelessly to fill the gap in services for the disenfranchised in marginalized communities with its limited resources; and, builds key partnerships to reinvest in our families, communities, and successful incomes for our children.
New Complaint Backpacks – Bright Futures!First Day of School – Clear Backpacks were GREAT!Brand New Shoes Instill a Sense of Pride and Well-BeingNew Shoes, Backpack, White Uniform Shirt – Go Isiah!New School Year – Fresh, New Hairstyles – Our Kings Park Community StarsOfficial Uniform Shirts in Compliance with the Macon-Bibb Violence ProgramClear Backpacks, in compliance with the Macon-Bibb Violence Program and school supplies
Bibb County Schools held its annual Back to School Bash drive-thru distributions for families in need on July 30th, at the Ed Defore Sports Complex and Westside High School, however, some Kings Park community residents lacked the transportation and resources to participate in these events. Therefore, MGB Inc. CEO/Founder, Kelvin Middleton, intervened and advocated on behalf of these residents and coordinated equal access and equity in educational tools and supplies with the assistance of Curlanda Whitefoot Smith, Bibb County Schools, District Coordinator.
Note: The Community Foundation of Central Georgia was founded in 1993 by a group of citizens interested in encouraging philanthropy and strengthening communities. Since then, the foundation has awarded more than $100 million in grants. Our donors make possible the foundation’s mission to enhance the quality of life for the people of Central Georgia. To learn more, visit cfcga.org.
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MGB INC. - Men Giving Back 