Jamal Harvey is the No. 1 amateur boxer in the WORLD. In 2024 he will be the youngest fighter to participate in the Olympic Games in Paris, France. Like many participants at the Miracle Theater he kep it moving!

Mom, Kim introduces the champion, while comedians and co-host Sylvia Traymore and Chris Thomas look on.

William “aka Poochie” and and his wife Nel Butler are the proud parents of Prince Butler. Prince is a student/athlete at the University of Alabama. Dad and mom share the spotlight with Prince after the game. He will graduate at the top of his class in 2024.

Photos: Miles, friend and me celebrate a big win after championship game / Miracle Theater: Mom Candence-HB-Miles-Grandma Gloria and the late Darryl Pendington (Steny Hoyer office of Constituent Services) / Miles says a prayer before campus talk show / Miles volunteering at Bowie Senior Center with Grandma–she taught him his best lesson. The art of giving back.

I have known Miles Clark since he was was in diapers crawling around in the Pin Oak Senior Center in Bowie, Md. His grandma, Gloria Gaddy was the resident manager of the building. His mom, Candence use to drop him off at the building for Grandma to watch. He became the star of Pin Oak.

My wife Hattie and I would become his biggest cheerleaders at an early age and watch him go from Little League Football, to Bowie High School Football and a member of the band–next stop Bowie State University!

To my surprise, he would switch to something that was as big as he was, but he did not to have to hit and block in pratice and in games–the tuba. Miles became a member of the Bowie State band–a brilliant decision.

His next move came as a surprise, he and several other students became the co-host of a campus radio talk show–talk radio is something that is close to my heart. I am still waiting for him to invite me, his mentor on the show as a guest. In the meantime, we will keep cheering him on in The Game Called Life!

Photos: HB-Robin Sugar Williams and the late Fozie the Clown co-host the Kids In Trouble annual Christmas toy party for elementary school children / Robin and daughter at the Miracle Theater / NBA Legendary Coach Red Auerbach and Robin celebrate Black History Month at the Hyatt Regency Hotel/ Robin dedicates, “My Hero” to Judge Luke C. Moore during his birthday celebration on the SW waterfront/ NFL legend RB Robin, Duane Thomas, his wife and me are Santa’s Helpers at the KIT annual Christmas toy party for elementary school children.

Robin Sugar Williams is a renowed gospel singer, who has sung at the White House for the President, sung Christmas caroles on the Montument Grounds and traveled the world spreading her love for Jesus Christ. She has been a member of the Kids In Trouble family since she was 10 years old. Robin grew up in Ward 8 of SE DC, she was educated and taught in the DC Public Schools. She has never forgotten who she is and where she came from. Her contributions and involement can never be measured in silver and gold.

GONE TOO SOON:

HAROLD BURKE / PRODUCER “WE REMEMBER ALI” MIRACLE THEATER 2019

Dr. George Logan-El (cap and gown) was a native Washingtonian and a community activist. His work with youth gangs and at-risk children in the DMV, especially in Alexandria, Virginia is legendary. He was one of the founding fathers of group of young men called, “The Untouchables.” His best work was needed and saved for his grandson, Antonio Logan-El. He raised him single handedly making sure that he nerver strayed too far away from the importance of an education and good sportsmanship among his peers.

Antonio excelled in sports and academics in the classroom with the understanding there was no football or basketball without good grades.

Antonion was participating in my Christmas toy parties and youth forums when was 5 years old. He is seen sitting on the Baby Grand Piano at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, DC. He was 5 or 6 years old. Antonio can also be seen serving the children, food and drink at the annual KIT toy party. He was an All-American football player at Friendship Military High School Academy in Forestville, Md. He graduated from Towson State in Maryland. His grandfather died of cancer and never got to see him play college football or graduate from college. RIP Dr. George Logal-El.

William Walker served on the Board of Director of Kids In Trouble. He was instrumental in organizing my toy parties and youth gang forums. William was playing an important role in my documentary/movie project. He died suddenly, two years ago leaving his elderly mother, and a 16 year old son behind.

WE REMEMBER SANDY FREEMAN: THE GODFATHER OF DC PLAYGROUNDS!

Sandy Freeman was a native Washingtonian and one the greatest all-around athletes ever produced in the DC Public Schools. When we talk about 3 lettermen in high school your thoughts, are football, baseball and basketball, Sandy excelled in all three. The reason he was not a 4 letterman, boxing was not considered a high school sport. Sandy was one of the most respected athletes to ever play on a DC playground basketball court.

I remember when I banished Big John Thompson to sit on the hill outside the Brown basketball court. I had chosen him to be on my FIVE. He stood in the neigborhood of 6’10 and I needed a rebounder–I was the shooter! The rules–you lose you sit on the hill and watch. I was not ready to lose.

For some odd reason Big John thought he was playground basketball legend “Willie Jones”, and started to take jump shots! I called time-out and banished him to sit on the hill and wait his turn. His bodyguards, Sandy and Batman were nowhere in sight!

When Sandy and Batman finally arrived he was allowed back on the court. Big John selected them on his team and our winning streak ended. Free, never said a Word to me regarding Big John, but I got his message loud and clear. I was tired anyway!!!

Free did save me one Sunday from a good ass kicking. My housing project hero and later my Minor League football teammate and coach, the great Earl Richards ran me into the pole. I was about to score the winning basket in a one on one. Free had to jump between us before he had to call an ambulance for me (I was smelling myself).

The Virginia Sailors: DC players–No. 50 Earl Richards and No. 82 HBell

Free never even pretended he knew anything about the boxing ring, but everyone else knew! I don’t ever remember Free getting in an agument on the court and I spent a lot of time on his domains, Blow and Brown basketball courts.

During the TRIBUTE OF HONOR & LOVE for Free at the mass of Christian Burial Saint Thomas Moore Catholic Church, the homegoing service was one like none I have ever witness.

After the WORDS OF REMEMBRANCE: The Reverend Raymond Moore made a move like I have never seen made in the Catholic Church–it would have made Free proud.

After words of Remembrace by Ollie Johnson-Stacy Robinson-Monk Wilkins and nephew Roland Johnson, Reverend Moore send a shoutout to family and friends in attendance. He asked if there were any more words of Remembrance? The rush to the mic was as if Reverend Moore had said, FREE MONEY!

Reverend Moore gave the speakers a no-time limit–unheard of at any church in the DMV. He waited patiently for each speaker to finish their desertation. I think he was enjoying the words of remembrance as much as we were.

My life long friend, Andrew Johnson, and I sat and smiled. We realized the words of remembrance was coming from a different generation of Sandy Free admirers.

Andy and I had been friends since 12 & under (Parkside vs Langston), and high school teammates at Spingarn. He was a cop on the beat in the U Street corridor, and Harrison Playground, another one of my domains as a youth gang task force member of the DC Department Recreation & Park’s elite Roving leader program.

He retired as a DEA supervisor. He has had my back and others like me in the community and around the World for 50+ years (1968 and counting).

We left the church amazed by the great stories told by Ollie, Stacy, Monk and nephew Roland Johnson. The bonus round of remembrance was off the charts delivered by playground legend DeLonte Taylor, Stanley Carter and nephew Roland Robinson.

The most hilarious story was delivered by DeLonte. His story: Free threaten to knock out coach George Gibbs of the Old Timers. On a road trip to New York City, Gibbs was ignoring his words of advice.

He kept advising Gibbs to put the hot shooting duo of JoJo Hunter and DeLonte back in the game to protect their lead. Gibbs kept pretending not to hear a word Free was saying. Finally, Free said, “If I come down there and knock you out–you will hear me then.” Those words brought the house down!

It was a beautiful bright sun shiny day for a homegoing for a true legend. Friends and family gathered out in front of the church for over an hour reminising. We were serenaded by the songs outside of the church by Luther Vandross (A Dance With My Father) and Smokey Robinson (We Are Going to Miss You). Free was listening closely by in a ride fit for a legend.

Horton’s Funeral Director and owner Reds Horton provided the ride that took Free to his final resting place in style.

Andrew and I left the church realizing that Free had another basketball life after the Blow and Brown basketball courts, Bradbury Heights and the DC Old-Timers–he was still shooting the ball at age 70.

Sandy was truly THE GODFATHER of playground basketball and I was an eyewitness. RIP my brother.

Before he became “Big Man on Campus” John Thompson is seen talking to a group of kids at one of my annual KIT Toy Parties. Look closely and you will see his son Lonnie under his right elbow.

Playground Basketball Legends: Sandy Freeman’s Disciples

TOP PHOTO: Monk-Keith-Thurmond-Stanley-HB-Andrew-Ollie & Wine

Standing in the back is playground basketball legend Stacy Robinson and his crew at the Kids in Trouble Hillcrest Saturday Program. This was long before Bradbury Heights and DC Old Timers.