Nickelodeon Celebrates Black History

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February 19, 2015

Nickelodeon Celebrates Black History Month Through Multi-platform Partnership with Because of Them, We Can™ Initiative
Kids depicting notable African Americans featured in PSA Campaign on Nickelodeon

NEW YORK – Nickelodeon is partnering with the Because of Them, We Can™ initiative to commemorate Black History Month through a campaign launched Tuesday across the network’s multiple platforms, including on-air, digital and social. Nickelodeon will air three original 30-second PSAs that feature kids portraying distinguished Aides kids and families with additional information about Black History Month.
“Through this partnership, Nickelodeon is using the power of our screens to amplify a positive message and connect kids to the lessons of the past that underscore the remarkable contributions of African Americans,” said Marva Smalls, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs, Nickelodeon. “The Because of Them, We Can™ campaign encourages a new generation of kids to learn about African-American history in a way that makes them part of the narrative and is relevant to them.”
“We are excited to share these videos through the lens of Nickelodeon, empowering their viewers and hopefully, awakening their potential,” said Eunique Jones Gibson, Founder, Because of Them, We Can™. “Our goal is to connect kids to heroes, past and present, and create a banner of excellence for all people, young and old, to live by.”
Kids can log on to http://www.nick.com/thanks to stream the Because of Them, We Can™-created spots; learn interesting facts about other noteworthy historical and modern day African-American icons; view additional Black History-themed video clips; and get more information about the Because of Them, We Can campaign™. Nickelodeon’s social media channels will also support the initiative with daily tweets of images from the Because of Them, We Can™ initiative via @NickelodeonTV and posts on Nickelodeon’s Facebook page throughout the month.
The Because of Them, We Can™ photo campaign was launched by activist and photographer Eunique Jones Gibson to inspire young people and create images that positively represent African Americans. The initiative has expanded beyond still images to include video content, a book and products designed to empower people of all ages and colors.

Michael Jackson : Motown 25

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Birmingham Times

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February 19, 2015

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PBS TO BROADCAST MOTOWN 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever
Landmark Concert and TV Special celebrated 25 Years of Motown, debuted Michael Jackson’s Moonwalk,
Reunions of The Jackson 5, The Miracles and The Supremes
FAIRFAX, Va. – Where were you when Michael Jackson unveiled his iconic moonwalk for the very first time? This cultural milestone was one of many incredible moments that took place during the legendary TV special Motown 25: Yesterday · Today · Forever when it debuted on NBC on May 16, 1983. The historic concert event has never been rebroadcast on television since that night, and was available on DVD just last year. But on February 28th, PBS will air Motown 25 on stations throughout the country, giving fans a second chance to see the magic and history of both the television special and the famed record label. It will make its national PBS premiere on February 28 (check local listings for station information and broadcast times) and will run throughout March as part of the PBS Pledge Drive.
Produced by de Passe Jones Entertainment and Berry Gordy’s West Grand Media, Motown 25 was taped before a live audience at California’s Pasadena Civic Auditorium and showcased virtually every Motown artist from the company’s inception, including Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, The Supremes, The Jackson 5, The Miracles, The Temptations, Four Tops and many others.
The show also featured many guests outside the Motown Records sphere who had been influenced by Motown artists, including Linda Ronstadt, who performed a memorable duet with Smokey Robinson, Billy Dee Williams, Jose Feliciano and British new wave star Adam Ant, who was riding a wave of popularity from MTV exposure. As an added highlight, the historic evening was hosted by Richard Pryor, who was arguably the hottest comedian in the world at the time. A seminal event in pop culture history, this concert event, which would capture the Emmy® for Best Variety Program and a George Foster Peabody Award, would establish the gold standard for all future televised concert events and go on to provide the backstory for the Tony®-nominated Broadway play, Motown The Musical.
Motown 25, being jointly distributed by StarVista Entertainment/Time Life, producer TJ Lubinsky and de Passe Jone Entertainment, will be used for PBS’ March Pledge Event. Premiums will include tickets to “Motown: The Musical”, now touring nationally, as well as a DVD of the full concert in newly remastered 5.1 surround sound with more than an hour of bonus material, including the 40-minute documentary The Making of Motown 25 and a performers’ roundtable; an expanded three-DVD set contains more than six hours of extras, such as outtake songs, footage of a Marvin Gaye rehearsal, and performer and production roundtables. Additionally, the “My Music” seven-CD set Motown Big Hits & More featuring 132 cuts from the label’s other performers, including the Spinners, Gladys Knight and the Pips, and the Isley Brothers will be available for fans of the era.
“With the popularity of ‘Motown: The Musical’, which continues to open in major markets across the U.S., and the program’s recent success on DVD, there’s never been a better time to re-air the original broadcast”, says Suzanne de Passe, the Executive Producer of the TV show. “Whether you’re discovering that incredible night of music for the very first time, or are huge fan of Motown whose been eagerly awaiting the show’s return to TV, ‘Motown 25’ offers a lifetime of magic and memories for everyone.”

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Birmingham Times

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February 19, 2015

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R&B Legend Charlie Wilson Announces

FOREVER CHARLIE TOUR

with Special Guests KEM and JOE

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Grammy nominated artist Charlie Wilson has announced his new national tour Forever Charlie will kick off on February 12, in Cleveland, Ohio and will wrap on March 27 in Oakland, Calif. The tour is named after Wilson’s latest album on RCA Records. Charlie Wilson’s new single “Goodnight Kisses” was the #1 most added song at Urban Radio and Billboard says about the single “…Over snap-and-swing doo-wop-inspired production, the GAP Band co-founder sings sweetly about his loved one’s smoochies. At 61 years old, Wilson is still as convincing a romantic as ever.”
“I am so glad to be on the road once again and to bring my show to so many cities across the country. It’s going to be a special night for all the ladies that will join me and my special guests!” says Charlie Wilson. “I am looking forward to sharing the stage with my two talented friends Kem and Joe. They are both artists that I admire and am honored to have them on my tour. We are planning a show the audience won’t ever forget.”
Jeff Sharp, Vice President of Urban Touring AEG Live says “The Forever Charlie Tour is the most prominent R&B tour for an adult urban audience that is scheduled to hit the road in 2015 thus far. The fact that three of the most important male vocalist/entertainers of our era are sharing the same stage nightly is something that brings AEG as a company to commit any and all of its many assets to the project.”
Wilson has received seven Grammy nominations and multiple awards throughout his career; he was named Billboardmagazine’s #1 Adult R&B Artist and has had eight #1 records that topped the Billboard Urban Adult Contemporary radio chart including, “Without You,” “Charlie, Last Name Wilson,” “Magic,” “There Goes My Baby,” “Can’t Live Without You,” “You Are,” “Life of the Party” and “My Love Is All I Have.” Most recently, Wilson received a Grammy nomination for the song “If I Believe” in the Gospel category; he was also an NAACP Outstanding Album Award winner for the album Love, Charlie and BET presented to Wilson a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013.
The FOREVER CHARLIE TOUR is scheduled for Atlanta, Ga., Phillips Arena – February 21; Birmingham, Ala., BJCC Arena – February 22; Mobile, Ala., Civic Center – March 18. (Dates and venues are subject to change.)

For the latest on Charlie Wilson please visit his official website at www.charliewilsonmusic.com.

Birmingham Fisk Alumni Club Holds Jazz Brunch Fundraiser

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Birmingham Times

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February 19, 2015

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On February 21, Birmingham Fisk University alumni will present Dr. Horace Carney’s musical group, Omni-Music, in a jazz celebration to pay tribute to the Honorable Helen Shores Lee, Dr. Dannetta K. Thornton Owens, and Dr. William E. McCollum for their dedication to the university and the community. The event will take place at the Summit Club in downtown Birmingham at 11 a.m.
Dr. H. James Williams, president of Fisk University, will deliver the keynote speech before paying tribute to the alumni honorees. The event is being held to provide scholarships for worthy students from the Birmingham area and the general scholarship fund. It promises to be an unforgettable affair.
Fisk University is one of the older HBCUs. Founded in 1866 by the American Missionary Society
and the Freedmen’s Bureau, the school has provided excellent academic opportunities for its
students and consequently has produced outstanding graduates. The world-renowned Fisk
Jubliee Singers have traveled the globe bringing attention to the university as well as to African
Americans.
Tickets may be obtained through birminghamfiskalumni@gmail.com or any B’ham Fisk Club
member and specifically from Ms. Beverly Dixon (832)-605-5731 or Dr. Aldophus Jackson (205)
907-6747.

Local Author on a Mission!

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Birmingham Times

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February 19, 2015

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Local Author on a Mission!

People have often asked me to share the reasons why I started my blog and wrote the book: The ABC’s of Real Beauty. If you go to the website, you will see the mission statement: “to be the change agent that helps women and young girls break the bondage of negative self-image; appreciate their God-given uniqueness; and get on the path of being all they were created to be!” While it sounds like a fairly lofty goal, I know from personal experience that it is absolutely possible.
The whole project was born out of personal struggles with negative self-image as well as conversations and observations of other women. We tend to do a good job painting on the face of: “I’m ok”, but will actually be struggling on the inside. A couple of years ago, I ran across a survey that was done by Dove. It stated that only 2 percent of women would describe themselves as beautiful. I then began to do some research and was absolutely blown away by the amount of money that people were spending to alter their appearance. This disturbed me. As I began to recall the issues I had growing up, even into adulthood, I remember comparing myself to others and this is what I suspected the other 98 percent of women in the survey were doing. I then began to wonder what God thought about all of this – I believe that He created us all and if the intent was for all of us to look alike, He would have designed it that way. On the contrary, when you look around, you see different skin tones, different hair textures, different physiques, etc. How can we not appreciate the variations of His handiwork? It’s almost like putting your absolute best effort into a project; a project that you are so proud of and then having that project come to life and tell you that you did it wrong.
It dawned on me, instead of celebrating the things that make us unique, they are being wielded as flaws; flaws that must be fixed! We have certainly bought into that line of thinking – so much so that we have created multi-billionaires on one hand, and numerous internally-conflicted souls on the other. Women and girls are being ousted, bullied, ignored, and oppressed in their own minds because they don’t fit the mold of what’s being sold as “beauty.”
One of my favorite sayings is: “become the change that you seek.” While I sometimes feel like the voice crying out in the wilderness, The ABCs of Real Beauty is my personal attempt to help raise awareness of how major of an issue this is. When I read about the dark-skinned women in Africa and India who are exposing themselves to harsh, cancer-causing, ingredients in skin lightening creams, or the plastic surgeries that go wrong, I want to make people stop and ask the hard questions. It also serves as a reminder that Real beauty is not all about looks. The definition of beauty talks about something that pleases the mind as well as the senses. The book points to other character traits totally unrelated to appearance. Even though the book is written for women, I encourage men to read it as well. Many men don’t realize that they too have bought into these “unwritten rules” and feed into the very insecurities that are plaguing our women and girls.
As I watch and listen, I see and hear so much self-doubt, self-loathing, and self-unappreciation. I see women settling for “less than” all because they don’t understand who they really are. I want women to catch the revelation that they are beautiful, powerful, equipped, and that they hold the keys to greatness. However, it is foundational that they believe it. It’s time out for masking and hiding – no more taking the designer’s original and turning it into counterfeit! There is an indescribable feeling that comes with true self-acceptance. It’s a freedom of sorts that tends to put things into perspective. Once you catch the revelation of who you are and whose image you were created in, you are free to move forward without hindrance, hesitation, or fear. You are free to be you!
Copies of The ABCs of Real Beauty can be found on Amazon (paperback or e-version)
You can also order copies by contacting Sharon at: sharon@realbeautyatoz.com
Sharon is also a Speaker and Personal Coach.
Connect with Sharon at:
Web: www.realbeautyatoz.com (sign up for her newsletter and Blog)
Facebook: facebook.com/realbeautyatoz
Twitter: @realbeautyatoz

Wilson’s Go-Ahead RBI Single Sparks Lady Hornets Past SEMO

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Birmingham Times

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February 19, 2015

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Photo: Jenna Mae Thorne had three hits on the day for the Lady Hornets.

Wilson’s Go-Ahead RBI Single Sparks Lady Hornets Past SEMO

MONROE, La. – Brittney Wilson came through with a go-ahead RBI single as part of a three-run sixth inning and Melissa Christmann came on in solid relief as the Alabama State softball team defeated Southeast Missouri State 8-5 on the first game of the day at the Mardi Gras Tournament.
The Lady Hornets got huge production from the bottom of the lineup.
Jazzmin Romero, batted from the eighth spot, and went 2-for-2 with a walk and three runs scored. Wilson, hit ninth in the order, and batted 3-for-3 with a home run, three runs and three RBI.
The starting pitchers controlled the game early with each tossing scoreless innings through the first two and a half innings.
ASU struck first in the top of the third. After Jazzmin Romero worked a walk, Wilson singled between the shortstop and second baseman.
Valerie Centeno showed bunt and swung away for a RBI single that got through up the middle. Laura Aguilar bunted over the runners to second and third and Jenna Mae Thorne reached on a fielder’s choice. Pinch runner Tacresha Favors came around to score. Carly Evans drove it to right field for a sacrifice fly RBI.
The Redhawks (0-1) got back into it with a two-run home run in the top of the fourth inning.
SEMO tied it in the fifth on a RBI single and a fielding error by the centerfielder and then took a 4-3 lead on a single to right-center field.
ASU recaptured the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Romero led off with a flare single to left before Wilson teed off with a two-run home run to left-center field.
The inning nearly became even bigger when Aguilar drew a one-out walk and Thorne bunted for a single. But, a 9-2 double play ended the threat.
SEMO then tied it at five in the top of the sixth on a RBI single to center field.
ASU answered back with the decisive three-run sixth. Kendall Core drew a walk. Chelsea Rivera pinch ran for her. Aleesa Yanez moved over Rivera to second on a swinging bunt. Romero singled through the right side to move Rivera to third. Wilson singled through the left side to plate Rivera to give ASU a 6-5 advantage.
Centeno scorched a ground rule double that deflected off the first baseman’s glove and beyond the right field line to drive home a run. Diauna Nelson flew out to right, but the right fielder’s throw home went over the catcher’s head and in came another run.
Christmann stayed on the mound to close it out with a 1-2-3 seventh.
In game two, ASU lost to host Louisiana-Monroe 10-2 in six innings.
In the top of the second, Romero blasted a triple over the right fielder’s head that plated Yanez to knot the score at one.
ASU had an opportunity to take the lead in the third when Evans drove it to the left-center field warning track with a runner on third, but ULM was able to complete a 7-6-5 double play when the runner from third base was ruled that she left the base early.
The Warhawks (5-1) scored four runs in the bottom half of the inning to take a 5-1 lead and didn’t look back.
ASU attempted a comeback, but left runners on base in key situations.
In the fourth, the Lady Hornets left runners on the corners after Core hit a one-out double to right-center and Romero hit it through the right side.
ASU tacked on a run in the fifth when Centeno came around to score after leading the inning with a single.
Core, Thorne and Romero all had two hits apiece for the Lady Hornets (2-5).
Alabama State will wrap up Mardi Gras Tournament play with rematches against both teams.
The Lady Hornets will play Southeast Missouri State at 9 a.m. followed by another meeting with Louisiana-Monroe directly after the conclusion of the first game.

Evans, Phelps Named SWAC Players of the Week

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Birmingham Times

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February 19, 2015

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Juniors Carly Evans and Maddie Phelps were named the Southwestern Athletic Conference Players of the Week for the week of February 2-9.
Evans, who played at first base for all five games in the Troy Tournament, was named the SWAC Hitter of the Week.
Evans batted 6-for-14 with two home runs, one triple, seven RBI, three runs scored, two walks and a 1.000 slugging percentage from Friday through Sunday against Buffalo, North Florida, Florida A&M and in two games against Western Kentucky.
The North Highlands, Calif. native also was flawless in the field, making 34 putouts and three assists at first base.
Evans hit a pair of two-run home runs to lead the Lady Hornets to a 10-1 win against Florida A&M on Saturday.
“Carly stroked the ball well all weekend,” said Alabama State coach Chris Steiner-Wilcoxson. “We were looking to her for leadership and she came up with big hits and big RBIs from the four spot in the lineup. She was confident and consistent.”
Maddie Phelps was named the SWAC Pitcher of the Week.
The six-foot junior pitcher tossed six innings of one-run ball, scattering four hits and struck out three in picking up the victory in a 10-1 win against Florida A&M on Saturday. Phelps threw 90 pitches with 54 accounting for strikes and only walked one batter.
“Maddie did better than what her numbers reflected,” Steiner-Wilcoxson added. “She hit her spots and executed her pitches. She stayed calm and pitched the way we wanted her to pitch.”

2015 Preseason Baseball Team and Polls Released

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Birmingham Times

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February 19, 2015

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southwestern Athletic Conference released its 2015 preseason baseball all-conference teams and poll Wednesday morning and Alabama State University took two of the three big awards along with being pegged to repeat as east division champions.
The Hornets’ starter Joseph Camacho (El Paso, Texas/Franklin)
earned pitcher of the year honors, while designated hitter Waldyvan Estrada (Loiza, Puerto Rico/International Baseball Academy) was named player of the year. Prairie View A&M University’s Cody Den Beste (Wilmington, Calif./Torrence) was named defensive player of the year.
Alabama A&M University placed the most on preseason teams at five. Alabama State and Texas Southern University each placed four.
In the east division, Alabama State earned first place with a commanding 76 points and 12 first place votes. Reigning SWAC champion Jackson State University just edged out Alabama A&M for second place. The programs finished with 55 and 54 points, respectively.
The top three places in the west were separated by only five points. Texas Southern earned eight first place votes and 59 points to beat out Prairie View for the top spot. PVAMU finished just one point behind the Tigers at 58 points, respectively, picking up three first place votes. Reigning west division champion University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff rounded out the top three with 54 points and two first place votes.

Player of the Year – Waldyvan Estrada (Alabama State)
Estrada started 56 games last season and hit .347 with six home runs and 60 RBI. He had 31 multi-hit games and 20 multi-RBI games last year. Estrada finished first in the SWAC in RBI, third in runs scored, fourth in total bases, and fifth in on-base percentage and home runs.

Pitcher of the Year – Joseph Camacho (Alabama State)
Camacho finished 2014 with a 10-1 record and 2.34 ERA. He appeared in 14 games with 13 starts and three complete games. Named 2014 SWAC Pitcher of the Year, Camacho led the league in wins, was third in strikeouts, tied for fourth in runners picked off, and fifth in strikeouts.

Defensive Player of the Year – Cody Den Beste (Prairie View A&M)
Named 2014 SWAC Freshman of the Year, Den Beste was a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American. He hit .309, had a slugging percentage of .449, and earned an on-base percentage of
.434. Den Beste also committed just two errors in 112 chances last year.

Tornadoes Storm to 2nd in Latest NAIA Top 25

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Birmingham Times

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February 19, 2015

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TALLADEGA, Ala. – (GCAConf.com) – Talladega College is now the number two ranked team in the nation after the Tornadoes tallied 237 points, including a first-place vote, in the latest NAIA Division I Coaches’ Top 25 released recently. This is the highest any GCAC team has been ranked since LSU-Shreveport was second on February 20, 2008. Talladega (22-3, 9-0 GCAC) is tied for the most wins in the NAIA with 22 and has the nation’s longest current win streak at 17 consecutive games. The Tornadoes rank in the top five nationally in scoring margin (+18.8) and in field goal percentage at better than 50 percent shooting. They hold a 1.5 game edge over Xavier in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference standings.

14 – 15 NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball Coaches’ Top 25 Poll – Feb. 10

1.   Cal State San Marcos (9)
2.   Talladega (1)
3.   Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.)
4.   Pikeville (Ky.)
5.   Hope International (Calif.)
6.   Campbellsville (Ky.)
7.   Arizona Christian
8.   Dalton State (Ga.)
9.   Georgetown (Ky.)
10. Concordia (Calif.)

Meet Allstate’s Champions For Good

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Birmingham Times

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February 19, 2015

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Four individuals who “Give It Up For Good” honored for their service to others

How does Allstate Give It Up For Good? By shining a spotlight on the heartwarming stories and acts of good that take place within our local communities every day, and honoring those giving back, doing unexpected good deeds, and serving as unsung local heroes.
To honor these heroes, Allstate named four leaders from across the country as Allstate Champions For Good. In fall 2014, each Champion received a national award recognizing their commitment and leadership during a surprise presentation in their communities. Surrounded by colleagues, family, and fellow volunteers, each Champion For Good was celebrated for their achievements and service. The Champions also attended the 2014 Allstate Tom Joyner Family Reunion in Orlando, Florida, where they partnered with Allstate to conduct a live Twitter chat to celebrate stories of good and encourage others to give back – and “Give It Up For Good.”
These four individuals have dedicated themselves to making a difference in their communities and serving others. Allstate is proud to feature them as role models this Black History Month.

Anthony Delgado – Atlanta, Ga.: From living on the streets to starting a nonprofit organization devoted to ending homelessness, veteran Anthony Delgado’s life has truly come full circle. In order to give back to the community where he knows it is most needed, Anthony founded I Care Atlanta, which provides resources and emergency assistance to the working poor and homeless in Metro Atlanta and surrounding communities. Visit ICareAtlanta.org for more information.

LaRita Francois-Flotte – New Orleans, La.: Spending her teenage years in a homeless shelter and serving as guardian to her younger brother, LaRita Francois-Flotte says that she grew up faster than most kids. She now gives back by helping kids and teens who are facing similar conditions without a greater vision for themselves. LaRita founded Take the Lead Foundation, an organization focused on providing enhanced motivation and educational programs to youth in New Orleans. Her nonprofit focuses on building self-esteem, promoting leadership, and enhancing communication skills. Visit TLFNola.org for more information.

Lydell Henry – Baltimore, Md.: Lydell Henry founded Beat the Streets-Baltimore, a nonprofit program that uses wrestling as the hook to get students involved in academics through tutoring and mentoring programs. Lydell leads a group of volunteer coaches who partner with local university graduate students to tutor high school wrestling athletes after school on a weekly basis. Find Beat The Streets at www.facebook.com/BeattheStreetsBaltimore to learn more.

Lamont Robinson – Chicago, Ill.: In addition to serving as an Allstate agent for the Chicago community, Lamont Robinson acts as a mentor for young men in grades 9-12 through the Kappa Leadership Institute of Chicago. As a mentor, Lamont provides youth with college readiness, tutoring and study skills, and leadership development programs to help them achieve their goals. Visit www.KappaLeagueChicago.org for more information.

How can you Give It Up For Good? Allstate encourages everyone to find simple ways to do good in your community. Share your stories using #GiveItUpForGood to inspire the good in others. Visit Allstate.com/GiveItUpForGood and follow @GiveItUpForGood on Twitter.