Councilmember Fielkow and the New Orleans Zephyrs Show
Support for Minor League Baseball™ Youth Leadership Academy
July 27, 2011 – New Orleans, LA – Today, City Council Vice-President Arnie Fielkow is in Vero Beach, FL to celebrate the inaugural Minor League Baseball™ Youth Leadership Academy at the Vero Beach Sports Village (VBSV). Of the 31 academy participants, there are four teenagers from New Orleans whom were identified by Fielkow and the New Orleans Zephyrs to participate in the all-expenses-paid academy.
The impetus for the Youth Leadership Academy was a similar program executed last summer when MiLB Charities worked with Fielkow and the New Orleans Public Library to provide 40 youths from New Orleans with a weeklong, all-expenses paid recreational and educational trip to VBSV.
“Last year’s program was an invaluable experience that the 40 New Orleans youth participants will never forget. MiLB should be commended for their commitment to improving the lives of disadvantaged youth by turning the 2010 pilot program into an annual youth academy that will benefit kids from across America,” said Fielkow. “I am in Vero Beach today to show my continued support for this transformational academy. I look forward to seeing this program grow and change the lives of inner city youth for years to come.”
The academy is designed to enhance and enrich the participants’ academic achievements and expose youths from underserved communities to life skills training, positive peer development, career opportunities, personal development and health and wellness. It will not only promote their future through individual growth, but also build their résumé and provide exposure to experiences encouraged for college entrance.
A panel discussion about baseball, society and leadership featuring Sharon Robinson and Branch B. Rickey is among the highlights of the inaugural academy. Robinson is the daughter of Jackie Robinson, the man whom Rickey’s grandfather, Branch Rickey, signed to a contract and brought to the Major Leagues with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 to break baseball’s color barrier.
“We are excited about the presentations and events we have planned for the 31 teenagers from some of our Minor League cities that are attending our first Youth Leadership Academy,” Minor League Baseball President Pat O’Conner said. “The caliber of speakers, such as Sharon Robinson and Branch Rickey, who have agreed to assist us in providing these young people with the tools to become successful and productive members of their respective communities is tremendous.”
Other events planned include presentations by O’Conner; Dr. Ismail Conway, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Mass Communications at Virginia State University; Tim Flanagan, owner of Flanagan Custom Leadership Solutions; Virginia Flanagan, who has more than 15 years of professional experience teaching and training emotion management; and Florida A&M student B.K. Jackson, an energetic saxophone sensation who has received numerous awards and has opened for many nationally renowned artists. A beach outing and a trip to a St. Lucie Mets Florida State League game are also scheduled. Students from the nearby Gifford Youth Activity Center will join the academy participants for some of the presentations and outings, including a service project with the Harvest Food and Outreach Center.
“The New Orleans Zephyrs organization is honored to be working with our partners at Minor League baseball and the New Orleans City Council to make this opportunity possible for four of our community’s teenagers. It is always an important area of focus for our organization to spread the message of baseball and the values associated with it into our community. The Youth Leadership Academy will be an unforgettable experience,” said Mike Schline, General Manager, New Orleans Zephyrs Baseball.
Minor League Baseball Charities provided funding for the six-day academy. Global Promotions & Incentives (GPI), an ASW Global company owned by former Major Leaguer Andre Thornton, is also a sponsor of the MiLB Youth Academy. In addition to its sponsorship, GPI is providing a scholarship through Minor League Baseball Charities for one student to attend the Academy.
Fielkow will return to New Orleans Thursday, July 28.
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Contact:
Danielle Viguerie
Office of Councilmember-at-Large Arnie Fielkow
Office: 504-658-1063
daviguerie@nola.gov
