WHAT’S THE ISSUE
Volleyball in Liberty City
OOS Arts & Crafts
Coach Devin
South Florida Resource Collective Food Drive
Co-Op
Upcoming Events
TACOLCY PRESS the
Aaliyah Fisher Editor in Chief
A NOTE FROM OUR EDITOR
Welcome to the sixth edition of our newsletter! ��
In this issue, we feature an exclusive interview with Coach CeCe Spencer, the powerhouse behind GENEXXT Volleyball, as she shares her mission to bring the sport to Liberty City.
Our Out-of-School kids got creative with Valentine’s Day and Black History Month arts and crafts, celebrating love and legacy in their own unique ways. Plus, we’re thrilled to announce a new initiative in partnership with Concerned African Women, Inc., expanding resources for families in need. We also take a look back at our last food drive and gear up for some exciting upcoming events you won’t want to miss!
There’s so much to share let’s dive in! ��
GENEXXT VOLLEYBALL BRINGS THE GAME TO LIBERTY CITY
ft. CeCe Spencer
Brittany “CeCe” Spencer is on a mission to change the game literally As the leader of Genexxt Volleyball, she is introducing inner-city youth to a sport that is often overlooked in their communities.
With a focus on exposure, resources, and mentorship, Genexxt aims to help young athletes not only develop their volleyball skills but also open doors to higher education and leadership opportunities.
Genexxt Volleyball is a co-ed program for ages 7 to 18, offering both beach and indoor play Modeled after the Club Model, participants compete in tournaments such as AVP and AAU, sharpening their skills against top talent. And while many assume that height is a requirement to succeed in volleyball, Spencer is quick to debunk that myth.
“It’s one of those sports where you see a mixed group of heights. If you’re playing back row, you’re typically shorter with better center of gravity to dive and get the ball. Someone like myself, at 6’2”, isn’t the best at diving, but I can jump high and block.”
“It’s not like the most popular sport, but when it comes to innercity kids—we tend to be the most popular within the sport.”
Spencer knows firsthand how limited access to volleyball can be in certain communities she didn’t start playing until she was 17. But she also knows that when given the opportunity, inner-city athletes thrive in the sport
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THE TACOLCY PRESS
Through Genexxt, Spencer is showing young athletes the possibilities volleyball can offer whether it’s earning a college scholarship, playing professionally overseas (as she did), or simply gaining transferable life skills
“A few young girls I’ve mentored and helped get scholarships come back and tell me, ‘Thank you.’ I follow them to make sure they’re doing well. I give them little knowledge nuggets especially if they’re a minority on how to be comfortable in different spaces and learn different cultures. It contributes to their success.”
Genexxt is now expanding, thanks to a new partnership with TACOLCY’s Athletics Department Known for pioneering Lacrosse in the inner city, TACOLCY will soon introduce volleyball for both boys and girls, making it the next big sport to hit Liberty City
Beyond physical training, mental conditioning is a core component of Spencer’s coaching philosophy.
“I really work on conditioning the mind before I condition the body. You can’t coach anyone who doesn’t believe they can do it.”
With Genexxt Volleyball growing and making an impact, Coach CeCe is proving that volleyball isn’t just a game it’s a pathway to opportunities and success for the next generation
CeCe training a group of young girls at GENEXXT Volleyball Training.
SOURCE: GENEXXT VOLLEYBALL WEBSITE
Coach CeCe at Genexxt Volleyball Training.
SOURCE: GENEXXT VOLLEYBALL WEBSITE
Coach
HIGHLIGHTING BLACK HISTORY WITH OOS
FIRSTGRADERSLEARNABOUTROSAPARKS
This Black History Month, our first graders in the Out-of-School Program took a journey through history as they learned about Rosa Parks and her courageous stand for civil rights.
Inspired by her story, they created their own “Freedom Buses,” decorating them with messages of unity, equality, and hope Through this hands-on activity, our young learners not only explored an important moment in history but also reflected on the power of standing up for what is right.
OOS VALTENINE’S DAY WITH
WRITINGLOVELETTERS
Thefirst-gradersinour OOSprogramcreated Valentine’sDayletters foreachotherinthe classroom, highlightinggoodand admirablequalities abouteachother.
TACOLCY’S COACH DEVIN
For 24 years, Coach Devin Williams has played an integral role in TACOLCY basketball and today, he stands as the only basketball coach associated with the program.
His journey started long before he picked up the clipboard; at just 13 years old, he was a TACOLCY athlete, recruited by the late Coach Ralph, a man who dedicated his life to mentoring kids, often filling the role of a father figure.
Inspired by Coach Ralph’s unwavering commitment, Devin returned at 18 not for a paycheck, but for the love of the game and the kids who needed guidance, just as he once did.
“Growing up under Ralph, I saw him coach so many kids who didn’t have a role model or a father figure. I wasn’t close to my dad, so I understood what Ralph was doing. It made me realize I can come back and give back to the park.”
In a world where time is money, some questioned why Coach Devin would invest so much effort as a volunteer. But for him, it was never about the money. It was about changing lives just as Coach Ralph had done before him.
“Coach Ralph never got paid, and he worked his butt off at the construction site. After work, he’d pick all of us up, drop us off at home—no matter how long it took. Having someone like that made me want to do the same.”
“That’s what makes me happy—to see that I did something positive in that child’s life.”
-Coach Devin
Today, Coach Devin continues that mission, now leading TACOLCY’s 8U basketball team, a shift that came three years ago when his own son expressed interest in playing. Since then, his impact has been undeniable winning a championship, increasing parent engagement, and providing a safe, structured environment where kids can grow, both on and off the court.
The proof of his influence? The kids he’s coached have gone on to play college ball, overseas, and even professional football. Yet, he doesn’t ask for recognition or help he just wants to see them succeed.
“That’s what makes me happy—to see that I did something positive in that child’s life.”
But his love for the game extends far beyond basketball, celebrating each child’s efforts with awards and recognition at their annual end-of-season banquet. As Liberty City faces ongoing challenges, TACOLCY continues to stand as a beacon of hope. Through dedicated leaders like Coach Devin, young athletes are given the tools to stay off the streets, stay disciplined, and stay inspired.
WANT TO JOIN TACOLCY RAIDERS BASKETBALL? CHECK OUT
LIBERTY CITY FRESH FOOD CO-OP
FEBRUARY 13, 2025
Join a Legacy, Build Your Future!
Be part of the TACOLCY Raiders family! Develop skills like teamwork, discipline, and leadership while excelling in basketball, lacrosse, or track and field. Open to kids ages 516.
Don’t miss your chance to register today!
�� Scan the QR code or visit
https://form.jotform.com/TACOLCY/ program-enrollment-form �� Basketball: Ages 7-14 �� Lacrosse: Ages 5-14 Track & Field: Ages 5-16
Have questions? Contact Coach Cedric Hooper at:
305-318-7869
chooper@tacolcy.org Become a Raider where champions are made!
UPCOMING EVENTS UPCOMING EVENTS UPCOMING EVENTS
MARCH 8
Self-Care and Self-Love initiatives for girls and women in the community
APRIL-MAY
Each program collects as many coin as possible. Different coins has power and points!
PastorGreene EASTER EVENT
APRIL 18
Easter egg hunt adventure and a meal from 10am-2pm.
THE TACOLCY PRESS
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TO OUR PARTNERS TO OUR PARTNERS TO OUR PARTNERS
TH U
