URBAN PREP CHARTER ACADEMY FOR YOUNG MEN
THE LION’S ROAR NEWSPAPER January / February 2020 Volume 1, No. 1
GAME ON: Urban Prep hosts “Balling With The Stars”
By Sandell Coleman
News Editor, Englewood Campus The 2nd annual celebrity basketball game took place on February 12th at the Urban Prep Englewood Campus. The event was a complete success. It was hosted by the wonderful Aleta Clark, also known as Englewood Barbie. Clark, partnered with Urban Prep to coordinate this event in the Englewood community. The celebrity game kicked off NBA All-Star weekend in the city. The game featured two Chicago rappers, Chance The Rapper verses G Herbo who had a team of players that also included Urban Prep basketball team players from each of our campuses. Before the game began, Chance could be seen in the gym warming up and getting ready for the game. Attendees standing in line outside were shocked to see him arriving so early. With doors not yet open, there were many eager fans and supporters waiting to gain access to the gym and pick a good seat. As time went on, more people began to show up and eventually the gym was packed with an excited crowd of onlookers waiting on the game to begin. A famous YouTuber known for his basketball videos, Tristan Jass, was a player in the game. However, when the game was preparing to start people started to worry because G Herbo had not yet arrived. The game kicked off with the singing of the national anthem followed by a performance from a famous rapper, Polo G, who sang three of his best songs. Everyone in the gym went crazy when they saw him walk through the door. When Polo G finished his performance, G Herbo made his entrance and the crowd went wild. This was the moment the crowd was waiting for, Team Chance and Team G Herbo met at center court for the jump ball. Team G Herbo gets possession and in his first play, he is guarded by Chance The Rapper. He goes for a layup but misses. By the end of the second quarter, Team Chance led by 12 points. LION’S ROAR
Photos: Davin Ford
Urban Prep basketball players with Chance The Rapper and Urban Prep Founder Tim King
CONTENT FORUM 2 NEWS 3 FEATURES 6 G Herbo receiving the in-bounds pass from teammate.
During halftime Englewood Barbie presented Urban Prep students with a check for $1,000 to support the schools’ continued efffort in educating young black men. Additionally, there was also a halftime performance by Geek Squad, who entered the gym wearing sunglasses and captivated the audience with their amazing dance moves. When halftime was over Team G Herbo had caught up and started winning by 8 points. When the game ended, G Herbo takes the
SPORTS
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win and everyone screams. Some people lingered after the game to get some pictures with their favorite celebrities who were present. Overall everyone enjoyed themselves and was able to watch a peaceful and fun game of basketball. “Since this is my senior year, it was fun because I ended my last year hooping with some of Chicago’s most famous celebrities”, said Urban Prep Englewood senior, Cor’dell Lott who was a member of Team Chance.
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What’s UP in the world?
A Tribute to NBA Basketball Legend Kobe Bryant
By Justin Grant
Freelance Writer, Englewood Campus It was January 26th a day that the world seemed to suddenly stop. This particular date will be remembered as the day the world lost not only a great basketball legend, but a philanthropist at his core. Just the night before, in Kobe’s hometown of Philadelphia, LeBron James passed Bryant on the all-time scoring list. Kobe’s last tweet, at 9:39 p.m., the night before he tragically passed, was paying respect to James’ accomplishment. Just hours later, people around the world mourned the loss of the global icon. The NBA postponed a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers happening at the Staples Center the night after Kobe’s death. That was the first time a game was postponed, not due to weather conditions, since the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013. Teams across the league showed their respect to Bryant by committing 8 and 24-second violations, the two numbers Kobe donned during his NBA career. Kobe Bryant’s untimely death did not just hurt professional athletes, but also students and staff at Urban Prep. During Community which is how we start each day at Urban Prep. On the first day back after the tragedy, Mr. Clark at our Englewood Campus delivered a tearful message to all of the students on how Kobe impacted him and his life. Students wore Kobe and Laker apparel to honor him and moments of silence were held. As time went on and more people sent condolences, the date, 2-24-20 was set to be the memorial for Kobe and GiGi Bryant inside of the Staples Center. Well known for his career in the NBA, he was also an example to all black men, showing that we can make it 2
Cartoon by Maliq Wilson, Bronzeville Campus and how we can help others after we make it. It showed me that I need to appreciate life so much more. Much more than a basketball player, he was a philanthropist, advocate for women’s basketball and above all else, he was as a father. Helping spread the word about the talent and abilities held by the women in the WNBA, and openly working with current NBA players after his retirement, he never turned down the opportunity to help another.
FORUM What’s Next....
The Presidential Primary LION’S ROAR
NEWS
Chicago Bulls hosts “Just Mercy” private screening In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the Chicago Bulls hosted a private screening of the recently released film Just Mercy. The film, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, and starred Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx. The film is based on a book by the same name, written by public interest attorney, Bryan Stevenson. The private screening was hosted by Chicago Bulls players Kris Dunn, Denzel Valentine and Coby White. The film was followed by a post-discussion led by Xavier McElrath-Bey of Represent Justice. McElrath-Bey told his story about being incarcerated at an early age and the importance of having positive role models. He shared that he felt the justice system didn’t care about him because no one really offered to help him, rather they threw him away stating he would only become worse, judging by his juvenile record.
Photos: Chicago Bulls
Urban Prep students at the private screening of “Just Mercy” hosted by the Chicago Bulls for MLK Day 2020
Ranade Johnsonel, Brandon Black, Jalen Chisim and and Tyler Mckenzie from the Bronzeville Campus
Chicago Bulls Chris Dunn, Coby White and Malik Valentine
Tis The Season: Students receive gifts for the holiday
URBAN URBAN PREP PREP ACADEMIES CHARTER ACADEMY
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Bevel hosts a panel of All-Stars at Urban Prep It was days before the NBA-All Stars weekend kicked off and celebrities were giving back by hosting and being a part of events throughout the city. Many of the Pre-NBA All-Star weekend events were attended by Urban Prep students thanks to the companies and organizations that support our schools. On Thursday, February 13th, Miami Heat’s Kendrick Nunn and Showtime’s The Chi star Jacob Latimore stopped by Urban Prep to speak to students from each campus about what it means to be an All-Star in their own lives. The panel of All-Stars also featured Urban Prep Founder Tim King and was moderated by WGCI’s Kendra G, who did an amazing job engaging the attention of students by asking relevant and relatable questions. Latimore encouraged students by sharing that he starts his day early to prepare himself mentally “It helps”, said Latimore. Kendra G posed this question to the panel, “Who in your life would you consider your All-Star and why?”. “I would have to say my Dad. He’s been with me every step of the way. He raised my sister and I as a single father” said Nunn. This is different from
Photos: Bevel Urban Prep students with Kendrick Nunn, Kendra G, Jacob Latimore and Urban Prep Founder Tim King the story of many students. The entire event was sponsored by Bevel, a Walker & Company brand, that specializes in heath and beauty products, specifically for people of color. Bevel not only sponsored this amazing event for students by bringing All-Stars to Urban Prep, but they showed students that they are invested in our futures by making a substanial donation toward college initatives at our three campuses. Darrell Johnson (BRZ), Kendrick Nunn, Terrance Byrd (ENG), and Jacob Latimore
Malcolm X College offers dual enrollment to students
By Kenneth Mazerat
Managing Editor, West Campus The Urban Prep West Campus, which is currently housed in Malcolm X College has been extended a unique and amazing opportunity. Juniors and Seniors from the campus have been selected to participate in dual enrollment courses. Dual Enrollment is offered at the Englewood and Bronzeville Campus but this opportunity, which was once offered two years ago, has returned to the West Campus. Urban Prep students who participate in the dual enrollment program are able to receive college credit and points toward their grade point average upon completion. This semester students are currently taking Business 111 4
and Bio 120. “This is an amazing opportunity for students because they can get a head start on their college career and actually receive college credit” said Marvelas Hare, College Counselor at the West Campus. The business course is taught by Professor David Daniels who has been teaching for over 30 years. Senior, Rashawn Webster, who is currently taking his course expressed that he has enjoyed the course thus far and likes Daniel’s teaching method. Students are able to keep their assignments and course work organized by using the app BrightSpace. “The class is interesting and the course work isn’t bad. I’m grateful for this opportunity and I always look forward to going to class each Wednesday” said Webster.
Photo: Elijah Hymon
LION’S ROAR
NEWS
Starbucks’ Rosalind Brewer inspires Urban Prep students By Kenneth Mazerat
Managing Editor, West Campus The largest Starbucks in the world is now located in Chicago on the Magnificent Mile. Last month, Urban Prep students were invited to attend a special luncheon hosted by the Economic Club Chicago. The event featured a guest speaker, the Chief Operating Officer of Starbucks Rosalind Brewer who was instrumental in this expansion. The conversation was moderated by Mellody Hobson, who is the President and Co-CEO of Ariel Investments in Chicago. When students walked in the room you could feel the professional atmosphere. There was talking, laughing and networking with one another before the event was called to order. It was amazing to hear Brewer’s story as a young black woman who has defied the odds by serving in several executive positions as a result of her hard work throughout her career. Fortune ranked Brewer as #28 on it’s 50 most powerful women in business in 2019.
Photo: Jessie Mack Urban Prep students with Starbucks Chief Operating Officer Rosalind Brewer at the Economic Club Luncehon During this conversation, Hobson asked about the racial incident that occurred in 2018 at a Starbucks in Philadelphia’s Center City and the insight that Brewer shared was eye opening. Her decision to close all of the Starbucks for racial sensitivity training was a great business move and set the tone for other large companies to do the same. As the mother of a son, Brewer shared that, when she received more information, her motherly instincts
kicked in and she thought “What if that was my child? My son looks exactly like those boys and he dresses like them too”. To hear her level of reasoning for why this incident was a problem resonated with Urban Prep students in attendance who, as black young men, are constantly considered a statistic. Overall the experience was extremely inspiring and informative. Students in attendance expressed how much they enjoyed the event.
Georgetown University Law Center visits Urban Prep By Tabius Boss
Staff Writer, Englewood Campus On Jan. 15, students were selected from each campus to participate in a special presentation given by the Dean of Admissions of Georgetown University Law Center, Andrew Cornblatt. During this event, Cornblatt gave an “Intro to Law” lesson and informed students that GULC would be flying them all out to Washington, DC in April to spend a day learning about the Law Center, meeting professors and touring the Capitol. In his lesson, Cornblatt gave students a real life scenario in which students had to come up with a defense for each client given the circumstance. The scenario detailed a blogger who posted a picture of a coach handing URBAN PREP CHARTER ACADEMIES ACADEMY
Photo: Tim King Students with Andrew Cornblatt after Georgetown Law Presentation money to a player. What they didn’t know was that the photo was manipulated by the publisher. The students then divided into groups to come up with a defense for the two people.
This gave students an insight into the type of cases law students study and how to properly make an argument on behalf of a defendant. 5
FEATURES
UP Seniors: “We Are College Bound”
Seniors from the Englewood, West and Bronzeville Campuses receive their red and gold striped ties for being accepted into four year colleges and universities.
By Dorian Hill
Editor-in-Chief, Bronzeville Campus
At Urban Prep it is tradition that students start off with a red tie. They receive their blazers during Convocation, which is held after the first week of their freshman year. Convocation is one of many important rituals to Urban Prep in which students dawn their blazers for the first time. As they progress through their highschool careers, students are alloted the chance to receive a gold tie for being exceptional in class or in school in general. During a students’ senior year they apply to a certain amount of colleges. Those students are able to receive a red and gold striped tie from the principal of their campus, Chief Academic Officer, Mr. Dennis Lacewell and Founder and CEO Tim King. Once the students submit their acceptance letters, they receive these ties symbolizing being accepted to a 4 year College or University. The On To The Next One (OTTNO) ritual was created in the Fall of 2009 to recognize and celebrate the Class of 2010 (Urban Prep’s first inaugural graduating class) for their dedication, commitment and focus to work exceptionally hard during their 6
time at Urban Prep to earn their official acceptance to a four-year college or university. The name of the OTTNO ritual comes from a song with the same name on Shawn Carter’s critically acclaimed album, The Blueprint 3. If you read the lyrics of the song, it is easy to see that the theme of the song is about always progressing, moving forward, and never being scared to fail while working towards exceptionality. Our young men have exhibited those sentiments through their work at Urban Prep towards exceptionality that has earned them their official acceptance to a four-year college/university. Thus, the chorus (not the verses) of this song is played continuously during this ritual. Students who have received their ties include:
Englewood Campus Darius Bowden Devin Canady Aaron Coleman Tyjen Fields Tony Gamby Micheal Gary Jr. Devion Johnson Core’del Lott Jaden Roundtree Xavier Doby Antoine Winston Percy Washington Joshua Idugboe Travon Arnold West Campus Derek Calvin
Tiberias Canders Marty Cleaves Shemond Copeland Korian Dalton Michael Gray Anthony Lofton Trevon Mason Antwoine Morgan Johnny Neal Jakobi Parker Nicholas Ross Olajuwon Slaughter Bronzeville Campus Jaden Armstrong-Upshaw Daniel Baker, Jr. Rico Barnes Aaron Brize
Fatir Muhammad from the Bronzeville Campus has received the most college acceptances within the network with a total of 57.
Michael Gray, Anthony Lofton and Olajuwon Slaughter (WST)
Roberto Ceballos Phillip Curry Frederick Handy, II Elijah Holmes Tyler Hurn Brian Johnson, Jr. Darrell Johnson, III Kyle King Michael Lilly Xander Maclin
Zion Martin-Dillard Maximus McFadden Jaylen Nesbitt Stacy Reed Jacquez Smith Daylen Treaseh Creshawn Trimble Malik Waddy Edward Walker, III Kendrell Warren LION’S ROAR
Students recieve gold ties for being exceptional STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
Mr. Jaquan Pollard, Class of 2022 - Englewood
This month Mr. Pollard has recently received (3) gold ties. Mr. Pollard’s teacher wrote: “He always asks questions. If he is behind, he wants to catch up. If he is ahead, he is proud of himself. He stays alert and always ready to complete whatever it is that is asked of him. One of the kindest young men I have worked with here at Urban Prep. I am thankful for his positive energy and he is always a positive influence on the room, no matter what is going on around him. He never allows anyone to distract him from accomplishing his goal and that is to be educated. Very thankful that I get to work with him each day”.
Mr. Kenyan McGee, Class of 2023 - West
Mr. Jeremiah McMiller, Class of 2021 - Bronzeville
Mr. McGee receievd a gold tie during the month of January. His teacher wrote: “Mr. McGee demonstrates what it means to be on time, which is to be early, by making himself available to volunteer in setting UP Community. He makes sure that he is in proper uniform before he engages staff and Community preparation which would suggest that in his first year at Urban Prep he functions like an upperclassman with poise, humility and integrity”. Mr. McGee lives what he recites with his Urban Prep brothers every moring in Community, “We have a responsiblity to our family, community”.
Mr. McMiller recieved his gold tie during the month of Feburary. Principal Bywater wrote: “Mr. McMiller transferred into Urban Prep Bronzeville in January. In only two months since joining the Urban Prep family, Mr. McMiller has done a great job of demonstrating the Urban Prep core values. He has shown solidarity as he has fit in quickly and well with his brothers. He has also shown selflessness towards his classmates and teachers. Earlier this month his exceptionality was on full display as he earned a gold tie as Student of the Week in front of his brothers in Community.”
Urban Prep’s Great Debaters bring home the win
Last weekend, the great debaters from the Urban Prep Bronzeville Campus competed in Chicago’s Debate League winning first and fourth place. Messrs. Payne, Christmas and Young won individual speakers awards. Urban Prep Alumnus from the Class of 2011 Raheem Cooper-Thomas is the Assistant Coach. Mr. Cooper-Thomas was a member of Urban Prep Englewood’s debate team when he was a student and won various awards during his participation.
Travon Dupart, Kamari Payne, Jamari Christmas, Yasser Young and Michael Watson
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SPORTS
Urban Prep basketball teams face-off By Kejaun Barbee Staff Writer, Bronzeville
The Urban Prep basketball teams across our network have competed against teams from around the city of Chicago this season. However, to conclude the regular season, our campuses were given an opportunity to compete against one another in what we call the “Brotherhood Bowl”. Since each of these three games featured graduating seniors, those young men and their parents were recognized during half-time at each game. Our Englewood and Bronzeville Campus competed on January 24th at the Englewood Campus with Englewood winning 70 to 56. Then, West and Englewood competed on February 12th with Englewood winning 73 to 37. The final game was on February 18th where Bronzeville competed against West at Taylor Park with Bronzeville walking away victorious. The final score was 57 to 55.
Photos: Darius Bowden/Jessie Mack
ENG Senior Leon Smith, III face WST Laron Washington
BRZ Sr. Brian Johnson and WST Damarius Taylor go for the rebound
Englewood faces Bronzeville during Brotherhood Bowl
ENG Senior Donovan Turner slam dunks the ball
Chicago Bulls Coby White surprises basketball team
Photo: Chicago Bulls/Jessie Mack Chicago Bulls Coby White gives members of Urban Prep’s basketball team shoes and visits their campus. 8 8
LION’S ROAR
Urban Prep basketball teams compete in IHSA Tournaments
After the regular basketball season ended, each of Urban Prep’s basketball teams competed in the 2A level tournament as a part of the orginial March Madness, which is a Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Basketball tournament. Each campus competed in the Regional Quarterfinals of their Sectional. On Monday, February 24th, all three campuses had their first game. Englewood and Bronzeville took home victories against Gage Park and Nobel Street - Rauner. West fell short, losing by 4pts against Bronzeville Military Academy after forcing the game into overtime. In the second round of the IHSA tournament both Englewood and Bronzeville fell short, but we are extremely proud of them for their resilence and relentlessness! #TeamLions
Kevin Little (West) during the game against Bronzeville Military Academy
Next Month’s Issue
1st Semester Assembly Lacrosse Coverage Teacher of the Month Student Spotlight
URBAN PREP CHARTER ACADEMIES ACADEMY
Photos: Elijah Hymon/ Kejuan Barbee/Jessie Mack
Urban Prep Englewood basketball player Antonio Alexander during the game against Gage Park at Dyett Highschool
Christian Rycraw (BRZ) during the game against Noble Street- Rauner
Elvin Means (West) shoots a free-throw during game against B.M.A
The Lion’s Roar Staff
Dorian Hill (BRZ) Kenneth Mazerat (WST) Sandell Coleman (ENG) Elijah Hymon (WST) Kejaun Barbee (BRZ) Tabius Boss (ENG) Maliq Wilson (BRZ) Darius Bowden (ENG)
Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor News Editor Photo Editor Staff Writer/Photographer Staff Writer Cartoonist Photographer
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