By Pamela Grossman
What do we gain when we compete in sports? Discipline and physical strength, yes; but athletics can also offer the gifts of teamwork, cooperation, communication, and community. In this spirit, the Jack Brewer Foundation Global Ambassadors Sport for Development Summit was held at the United Nations on January 30th. The summit was hosted by Kweku and Ndaba Mandela, grandsons of the late Nelson Mandela, as well as Sidney Rice of the Seattle Seahawks and Jack Brewer, a philanthropist and former NFL player (www.jbfworldwide.org). International stars in the fields of sports and entertainment joined the hosts and U.N. representatives, which included Djibril Diallo (senior adviser to the executive director of the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, or UNAIDS). Among the participants were model Tyson Beckford; entrepreneur, philanthropist, and former pro football player Rohan Marley (son of Reggae legend Bob Marley; www.rohanmarley.com); NBA standout Jerry Stackhouse; and Miss Haiti Universe 2010, Sarodj Bertin. All gathered to explore the global possibilities of athletics, especially in relation to community development and AIDS awareness and prevention.
The summit began with a screening of Resilient Hearts, a documentary that marks the directorial debut of Haitian-American actress Claudine Oriol. The film follows Haitians and Haitian-Americans who were caught up in the mass destruction caused by the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Through the optic of the earthquake, the film shows the resiliency, history and culture of Haiti and its people. The film is expected to premiere in Washington, DC, this summer and in New York and Los Angeles this fall.
In addition to co-hosting the summit, Kweku and Ndaba Mandela served as spokespersons for the newly launched UNAIDS Protect the Goal Campaign (http://www.unaids.org/en/resources/campaigns/protectthegoal/), which calls for engaging youth around the world in the pursuit of an AIDS-free generation and which continues their grandfather’s work in response to AIDS. The campaign plans a strong presence at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
A common theme expressed by the athletes and celebrities in attendance was a desire to use the advantages their careers have brought to help those less fortunate. It was impressive to see them carrying the passion and dedication they have brought to their careers into charitable causes. “I have no choice but to dedicate my life to children who have less and need opportunity,” said Jack Brewer. “I ask you to dedicate a piece of your life to those who don’t have basic necessities. Let’s come together and empower the world.” NFL stars EJ Manuel, Takeo Spikes, and Israel Idonije echoed the sentiment. Those with greater resources have to “take advantage of this power to help the youth coming up,” Rice said. Like Brewer, some of the athletes gathered have established their own charitable groups; the Israel Idonije Foundation (israelidonije.org), for example, works in the States and internationally to focus on the development of social and emotional life skills within underserved communities. Several summit attendees mentioned Haiti’s recent struggles and expressed a special interest in addressing that nation’s needs. Haitian-American boxer Andre Berto poignantly noted, “My father told me, the meaning of life is to find your gifts, and the purpose of life is to give them away.”
World Cup Champion soccer player Lorrie Fair, who focusses her efforts on the education of women and girls, reminded the crowd that “AIDS in D.C. is on the rise—it’s not just ‘an African problem.’ ” However, she said, “Sports is the catalyst to empowerment. There is a South African saying: ‘I am because you are.’ That is what sport is about.” Volleyball star Lindsey Berg also spoke about the importance of educating and empowering girls and women around the world and noted that for her, this work is at least as important as her life in sports. “I have built my infrastructure,” she said, “so that I can do this.”
And Actor Richard Gant, who is working with Protect the Goal, said the initiative “stands at the junction of the power of sport and the power of spirit to connect.”
After the summit, Ndaba Mandela expressed gratitude for the enthusiastic crowd and hope for the future. “I was very inspired to hear so many athletes wanting to give back,” he said. “I want to thank Jack and all who are working on these causes—together we stand, to create a better world.” http://www.arfoundation.co/
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