Tag Archives: George Williams

Derby Behind-The-Scenes

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Derby Behind-The-Scenes

May09-2We have survived yet another Derby season.  Despite the rain, I had a blast at all of the events that I attended.  It started Thursday night with all of the parties, and ended Sunday morning when all I wanted to do was sleep.  I’m in training for my next competition, so for half of the weekend I had barely any carbs.  No BBQ parties, no nibbling on the free food at many of the parties.  Nope, it was just me and my protein bars.  (Note to self: never enter a competition three weeks after Derby!)
Working with OnyxLouisville has introduced me to a lot of people to help make Derby the experience that we all enjoy.  The promoters work many months in advance to make the party run smoothly.  Elliott Horne, one of the organizers of the Goodtimers Party, worked non-stop over the past year to bring urban professionals a successful Friday night event.  Everyone wondered where ‘The Pointe’ was, but driving downtown, you saw the huge spotlight directing everyone to the location.  From the rented furniture, to the themed rooms, to DJ E Feezy spinning high up in the sky – every detail was carefully thought out.   It’s a large venture to create an exciting atmosphere for 4,000 people, but Elliott made sure it was done!
For those that don’t know George Williams, he is an amazing guy.  He is the photographer for OnyxLouisville and he and his pal Kenny hit most of the events taking photos.  Not only is George skilled at photography, but he is definitely a people person.  Over the next several weeks we’ll be downloading pics from the various events.  If you’re captured in any of them and want a copy, give George a call and he’ll hook you up.
Lastly, but definitely not least, is the lady I like to call the Derby Diva.  Without Sherlene Shanklin, Derby would not be the same.   If you need any media coverage for any event, she’s the queen!  When TheSlice was being organized, Sherlene kept me informed of the celebrities that would be attending and supplied information about the history and significance of the event.  She even threw her own party on Thursday night at Glassworks (I am not sure if she ever sleeps!) For the Grand Gala, she was the one to reach out to in order to make sure OnyxLouisville could cover the event.
Not only does she help promote the events in advance, she never stop moving while there.  Every time you see Sherlene, she is running around making sure that everything is running smoothly.  Even if she’s standing in one place, you can tell her mind is still thinking about her next move.  If she is stressed, she doesn’t show it on her face – instead she just gives you a smile.  I saw Sherlene standing at the red carpet at the Grand Gala.  She was waiting for one of the celebrities to finishing walking and taking photos.  I caught Sherlene’s eye glancing at everyone in attendance.  You could see the sparkle in her eye as she saw the smile on guests’ faces and realized that once again, she made things happen!
If you attended any events this Derby season, don’t forget to take time to thank those that put the events together.  We’ve been fortunate to have a choice of events to select from each night.  If you went somewhere and enjoyed it, please let them know.

M.Y.  May 2009

It All Starts with One Person Who Believes

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It Starts With One Person Who Believes

Mar09-4I was sitting in a meeting with a principal and a teacher and they were both saying praises about a guy named Al Northington.  At the time, he had led the Iroquois girls’ basketball team to the Sweet 16.  They said, if anyone deserved to win the title, he was the man.  About a week later, I received a call from George, the OnyxLouisville photographer, bragging about this same coach and how he just became the first African-American to win a state girls basketball title.

I had to find out who this man was and hear about his accomplishment.  I talked to him at 7:00pm on a Thursday night.  The night before the school’s big celebration for the win that would include the Mayor and everyone from the community.   He was still at the school hanging up banners and doing all the last minute details (alone).  He told me about a high school, Iroquois, that for several years didn’t have a girl’s basketball team due to lack of interest.  At the time, he taught basketball camps at Brandeis Elementary School and saw a fourth grader that he felt was skilled enough to play high school varsity ball.  Her name was Adia Mathies.  When she and several other females entered middle school, he placed them on Iroquois HIGH SCHOOL’s varsity team.   Yes, sixth graders playing against the big girls.

And slowly but surely, he changed the program around.  One win at a time, they made believers out of doubters and winners out of girls who often only felt loss.  But it wasn’t easy. He had to beg some of the girls just to come to school.  Many had problems with their grades.  Some had attitudes and trouble with their teachers.  Several would have been kicked off the team if they went to other schools.  But, Coach Northington refused to give up on them.  He altered his coaching style to try to reach them and stay motivated.

Coach is proud of what he has accomplished, but feels this is only the beginning.  He feels that six of his girls have potential to play at a Division 1 school.  Unfortunately, due to grades and other circumstances, only one of them will be playing at a D One school next year.  As much as he tries to do it himself, he still feels that these ladies need mentors, especially females, to help them change their ways.  He wants them to have mentors that will stress the importance of college.

It was interesting to me because the day before I spoke with Coach, I wrote as my facebook status ‘Michelle wants to be more involved with a community organization- especially the youth’.  Who would have known that God would have answered my request just a day later with a simple phone call?

OnyxLouisville readers, here is where you come in.  Coach Northington and I are going to put together some type of program for these women to meet and talk with other urban professionals (especially women) in the community to tell them that not only are we proud of them, but we want to help them continue to be a difference and make the difference.  The details of the program have not yet been worked out and the time commitment will be minimal.  The ladies cannot strive for a better life if they are not exposed to people that have struggled, yet continued to seek success.  Please email me if you can be a part of this project.  While a state basketball title can be sweet, we all know high school only lasts so long – and then the real world begins!

Email me if you’re willing to help!

Congratulations also to Adia who was also named Miss KY Basketball 2009!  She will wear the #1 jersey in the all star game this summer!!

M.Y. March 2009