Black Lives Matter Panel At Newark Library On Sports, Activism

NEWARK, NJ — A panel of Newark coaches and community activists discussed their experiences with sports and activism throughout the years at an annual Black Lives Matter panel earlier this month.

The Feb. 13 panel brought several local community figures together at the Newark Public Library as part of the library’s Black History Celebration and Black Athlete exhibit.

Present at the event were:

SHAWN MCCRAY - Coach Shawn McCray made a stunning transformation from drug dealer from the Hayes Home projects in the city's Central Ward to basketball guru for that same community when he founded the Zoo Crew Summer Basketball Program in 1998 and later became head coach at Central, his alma mater. That Zoo Crew name now represents healthy competition, participation and even a temporary escape from tough, sometimes unforgiving streets of Newark.

VANESSA WATSON - Bloomfield College Women’s Basketball Coach Vanessa Watson enters her second season at the collegiate level with the start of the 2018-19 women's basketball campaign. In her first year, she led the Bears to a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) regular season championship after winning 15 of her last 18 contests to earn a post-season spot. Before Bloomfield, she had a storied 31-year career at the helm of her alma mater, Malcolm X Shabazz High School in Newark, N.J. where she retired in 2014 and then joined the NCAA Division I, Delaware State University in 2015 as an assistant coach. With a record highlighted by 10 state championships, 6 Tournament of Champions titles and over 700 wins, Watson’s Hall of Fame coaching career made her one of the most successful and accomplished coaches in the history of women’s basketball in the state of New Jersey on the high school level.

DOUGLAS FREEMAN - A graduate of Weequahic High School, Douglas Freeman is a Newark stakeholder, committed to developing, administering and enhancing activities for residents of the South Ward and Essex County. His professional career in the telecommunications industry paved the way for him to become the owner of a Newark-based independent communication and insurance brokerage company. As co-founder and president of the Weequahic Park Sports Authority (WPSA), Freeman recognized the need for a fundamental training program that focuses on key areas of youth empowerment and success. As a community leader, he gathered members of the public/private sectors and the County of Essex to move Weequahic Park renovation projects forward including the Irvin Booker Handball Court, a new playground, sports fields and other park renovations. He is a certified USTA Tennis Instructor, involved in Let’s Move Programming, Baseball Fundamental Training, Golf Awareness, Restoring Tackle and Flag football, and a host of other outstanding projects. His passion to enhance the community is a lifetime goal that will follow him throughout his journey in public service.

C.C. MINTON - Cecelia “CC” Minton (Moderator) is an author, media contributor, lifestyle empowerment strategist and social impact executive with a passion for people. She is a nationally recognized recipient of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition Leadership Award. Her grassroots journey began in the kitchen of her home and took her all the way to the most prominent address in the country -- The White House. Minton gave voice to her experiences becoming Health and Lifestyle Editor at Harlem World Magazine. Invited by the Press Office of First Lady Michelle Obama, she covered The Kids' State Dinner in the East Room and outside in The White House Kitchen Garden. Co-hosting the first Team USA Olympic Day sanctioned event in the city of Newark, participants experienced a worldwide celebrated day of festivities and learning about Olympic values. A community leader that added an entrepreneurial focus to her work, she tackled big business as a New York/New Jersey NFL Super Bowl XLVIII business connect partner. Minton is President of the Board at Stevenson & Moses Boxing for Life organization. She will soon release her new book, Passionately Focused, sharing lessons learned on her journey from the kitchen to The White House.

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