On Saturday, I had the privilege of attending a private Black History Month celebration at the Nike offices here in Chicago. MC'd by WGCI radio personality and funny man Leon Rogers, the event centered around the release of this year's Nike Black History Month Air Force 1 which was auctioned off to the attendees with a portion of the proceeds going to the Young Chicago Authors non-profit organization. A spoken word competition also took place with some of our city's top youth Slam Poets, including students from Manley High School and Kenwood Academy. Topics to be included in the students poetry ranged from the impact of black citizenship in the Americas to Barack Obama's presidency. Judging the competition were noted poets and writers including Executive Director of the YCA CC Carter and "The WordSmith" Chicago's own Malik Yusef. I was so moved by how impassioned and enthused each and every group of student poets were, and how brillantly they worked together to create such profound pieces of work. First place winners, Kubba Linx, received a monetary donation from Nike to the Young Chicago Authors on their behalf as well as the coveted Nike BHM AF1. At the end of the night, the winners of the silent auction were also announced and boy oh boy did those folks walk away with a one-of-a-kind sneaker. The night culminated with a dance off (whoot whoot!!!) to some good tunes and yummy cupcakes (and no, I do not have a picture of the yummy cupcake =/). It was an awesome time all around and I definitely appreciate Nike for putting together an amazing event and a night I'm sure the students as well as the guests will always remember.
DON'T HURT EM LEON!!!!
First Place Winners - Kubbah Linx
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