Category Archives: Man Candy Monday

NBA All Star Derrick Rose Launches Scholarship Program

Derrick Rose is the latest baller to cheer for, and it has nothing to do with his jump shot.

The former Bulls point guard announced the Rose Scholars via Twitter on Wednesday.

The scholars program seeks three “civically-minded” high school students–must be a sophomore, junior or senior–to apply for funds for college.

One lucky student can win $200,000 to go towards their higher learning fund. Two other students can earn $20,000 each.

Rose reveals he got the idea to launch the scholarship when reflecting on his charitable works, in a letter posted to the Rose Scholars site.

As I started to reflect on my service to others, the idea of The Rose Scholars program started to form. An award that would reflect on my desire to find greatness, my dedication to perseverance and determination, my passion for self-empowerment, and my wish to elevate it in promising individuals applies.

The Chi-Town native continued by writing the scholarship could be a turning point in teens lives.

I know we can all identify a moment where our lives changed. A new path opened up to us that was not previously available. This new path allowed us to make different decisions and start to imagine new possibilities. This is exactly what the Rose Scholars program is meant to achieve in each and every one of you that applies.

It’s a path friend and fellow advocate for education LeBron James can get behind by tweeting his support.
You may have heard he opened a school in his hometown of Akron, Ohio last week.

The deadline to apply for Rose Scholars is Sept. 30 and winners will be announced around Oct. 15.

Denver Baller Will Barton Donates Game Room to Local School

Denver Nuggets baller Will Barton made it a feel good Friday for students at Johnston Square Elementary school.

By converting a spare room in the Baltimore school into a game room. And it’s officially ready for testing.

Will donated the games as a way to give back to his native B-more.

Telling CBS Denver:

(I thought) how could I help this school and help kids stay in school with good attendance and keep striving to get good grades?

By bribing little boys with video games, of course.

Not to be left out, the girls were given a dance/exercise room. Donated by owners of The Vino Vixens Social Club.

Barton’s rules are boys and girls earn points to use the room–based on classwork, attendance and (duh!) good behavior.

Will may be on to something.

Terrell Owens Makes Surprise Visit to LA Women’s Shelter

T.O. spread Mother’s Day love to those that need it the most.

The ex-Seahawk player turned reality star dropped by Alexandria House, an LA-based women and children’s shelter.

T.O. delivered much needed supplies to the shelter. And gave single moms a break by playing catch with the kids.

Let’s tip our hat to mama Owens for raising her son right.

Tracy Morgan Upgrades Hometown Playground

Spread love, it’s the Brooklyn way.

Tracey Morgan (being the faithful Brooklyn-nite he is) did just that last week by returning to the ‘hood to officially open the gates of shiny and new Marcy Park.

TBS and The Last OG comedian donated $215,000 to renovate the Bed-Stuy playground.

“Thanks to Tracy and TBS for making it possible for NYC Parks to refurbish Marcy Playground, a beloved Bedford-Stuyvesant park that was in need of some TLC,” Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams said in a statement.

Including new basketball backboards with the TBS logo, of course. Fresh asphalt and a mural from artist Askew One.

It’s the first upgrade Marcy Park has gotten in a decade, according to NYC Parks department.

Yet it’s the back in the day times Tracy remembers most.

“I played on this court as a kid. I actually cut my finger on a glass bottle here and the blood I spilled on the court was for these kids. This is for Brooklyn. It makes me so happy.” Tracy said at the event.

Will Smith Donates Bottled Water to Flint Schools

Will and Jada Smith are using their new bottled water company– JUST–for good.

The power couple is donating their eco-friendly water to Flint, Michigan public schools each month, until city’s water becomes drink-able again, Huffington Post reports.

So far 9,200 b̶o̶t̶t̶l̶e̶s̶ cartons have been shipped to the schools.

With so much more of the plant-based H20 on the way, says JUST CEO Ira Laufer.

“This just makes sense for us to do,” Laufer told MLive. “After reading more about [Flint’s] challenges and the mayor objecting to pulling bottled water from the schools, we thought, ‘Let’s help these kids.’”

Where there is a will there’s a way. Sorry, had too.

On a serious note this is a great gesture for a company that is barely four years old. Given how toxic the water levels still are in Flint–EPA rated city’s lead at 397 parts per billion, the standard is 15 ppb.

Yeah, keep them cartons coming, big Willy.

Kevin Durant Donated $10 Million to Hometown College Prep Program

Kevin Durant is the Golden boy of Prince George County.

Not just for that championship rock on his finger.

The Maryland native donated $10 million to jumpstart a local College Track program, which helps low income students prepare for college, The Washington Post reports.

The intense (decade long!) program is designed for test prep, tutoring and matching students with colleges.

High school students also to have to commit three to five hours a week after school and summer school.

The program aims to support low income families whose members never attended college.

Kevin Durant’s investment will bring College Track program to the East Coast for the first time. Centering on Maryland and Washington D.C. area.

But of course his heart lies with the first College Track program in Seat Pleasant, Md.

“This hits home, because it’s right in the neighborhood where me and my buddies lived,” said Durant,who opens the center later on this year.

The College Program, started 20 years ago in California by Powell Jobs, has helped over 3,000 students in nine centers in California, Louisiana and Colorado.

Durant, who got involved in the College Program early last year, says his ultimate goal is to level the playing field.

“We didn’t have the resources to get our minds thinking about the next level,” Durant told The Post. “I want to do my part, whatever it is. If College Track students want to be the next Steve Jobs or the next influencer or the next tastemakers, they can get there.”

No doubt with Durant’s big boost.