Birmingham radio personality, Sly King

Sylvester (Sly) King is a radio personality in Birmingham, AL. Sly has never been directly affected by a blood cancer disease neither has anyone in his family, yet he has been inspired to fight against blood cancers by raising funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).

When I first read he was a candidate for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s 2013 Man of the Year I was like, “I have gotta feature this on my site.” As many of you know, I loss my father to Leukemia 14 years ago this month. Like Sly, I know cancer doesn’t care about race, gender, age, finances or religious affiliation. Although cancer doesn’t care, I do and so does Sly.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)

The mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society helps blood cancer patients live better, longer lives.

Statistics show that “approximately every 4 minutes one person in the United States is diagnosed with a blood cancer disease” and “approximately every 10 minutes someone in the U.S. dies from a blood cancer.” That person could be King, his wife, his 3-year old daughter, or it could be you. He has chosen to be proactive. Before this life-altering disease affects the live of someone he knows and loves, he has chosen to join forces with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to raise funds to ensure continued research, Approximately every 4 minutes one person in the United States is diagnosed with a blood cancer.provide financial assistance to those in need, and deposit back into the lives of those young and old who deserve the best care available. Cancer does not care, but King does. Be proactive and join him in this fight.

Join Sly and I in the fight against blood cancers. Click here to Make A Donation

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son. That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

That’s heavy. To give the world that type of protection and promise (GRACE) because it could not save itself… To give the world HOPE… To give the world LOVE… God loved the world so much in-spite of its behavior and dishonor, he chose to give his son as a sacrifice to save us from ourselves.

Not even the power of all our world leaders combined since the beginning of time could create something that could compare to what God did through Jesus Christ.

As a little skinny, sandy brown from head to toe, hazel eyed lil country girl in central Florida all it took was John 3:16 for me to understand that there was no love greater than the Love God gave to us through his son Jesus Christ.

So as we reflect on the purpose of celebrating Holy Week and the Resurrection of Christ let us remember (daily) that he lived and died for us and he is the ONLY WAY to the father. He is LOVE!

Check out this song, No Greater Love by The Georgia Mass Choir

Shortly after 7pm at approximately 7:09 on February 26, 2012 a call was made to the Sanford Florida Police. The caller said there was a suspecting looking unknown male walking around in the rain. The caller went on to describe the suspecting looking unknown male as wearing a gray hoodie, jeans and sneakers. The caller was adamant about something being in the hands of the suspect who he later described as a black kid in his late teens. The police dispatcher tells the caller that they don’t need for him (the caller) to follow the suspect, someone is en route to investigate. The call was then wrapped up.

7:17 Eight minutes later, when Sanford Police arrived on the scene they found the unknown “suspect” (suspect of what) lying face down in the grass. The shooter, was still on the scene and was identified as the 911 caller, GZ. (He’s not worthy of being named unless we call him murderous coward)

GZ was taken into custody. As other first responders arrived, attempts were made to revive the unidentified and unresponsive teen. A short time later, the teen was declared dead.

While GZ was telling his story down at Sanford PD headquarters, the unidentified body of Trayvon Martin was sitting unclaimed at a morgue. His father had filed a missing persons report after the teen never returned from a quick walk to the store.

The senior Martin and his son had been visiting the home of his fiancé who lived in the gated community where the senseless crime had occurred.

Trayvon Martin was killed by a single gunshot ruled a contact shot according to a Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation report.

Trayvon Martin’s name and death have gone on to become synonymous with the legal concept of Stand Your Ground, and the social concept of walking while Black.

Trayvon Martin to me is somewhat like this century’s Emmett Till. A young man off visiting family away from home who went to a store only to never be returned alive to those who knew and loved him. His parents like Till’s mother have shared with the world and media his image so that we will never forget what was done to their child!

This death and others like it pain me and take me a place that reminds me that the skin I wear although it is beautiful, strong, powerful and imitated is the most understood and hated hue… James Craig Anderson of Mississippi; Anthony Hill of South Carolina; and most recently the death of another 17 year old teen, Jordan Davis of Jacksonville Florida, nearly 9 months to the date of the death of Trayvon Martin.

Wake up people! Stop sleeping and believing that we’ve arrived as a nation just because the President and First Lady are Black… We’ve only just began to see the hatred that exist towards our people!

The more I thought about it, I realized everyone I encounter is actually a part of my team. Sounds weird, I know. It’s also weird that I’m up after 2 am and blogging…

But back to the team… Throughout the day the star player is present, that being Christ. However, sometimes I forget to turn to him for the offense/defense because I focus on a “play” someone else has done and I give it power instead of gleaning a lesson.

We are all truly intertwined and connected to one another. Even when we are on opposite ends, we still affect each other. I think the problems we face arise when we focus on the “game” and not on the fact that we can use their “play” to maneuver us into a better personal position.

Sure I have key players that I know are running with me for the goal, but I have to keep in mind that the players on my team who are trying to “throw the game” can’t beat the Master. Not even with their “cheat codes” and “sneakiness”… NOPE!

So relax. Be mindful everyone on your team isn’t gonna celebrate you making your goal, but they are all necessary participants. Their actions positive or negative should all be utilized by you to help you be better as you approach the next goal or level. The test they present you; the failures they may cause you; the losses they may bring, all of these things are a part of the process of you being a champion!

Celebrate the key players though. Reward them with regular gratitude. Be sure to give the captain (Christ) praise throughout the “game” and be an example to all your teammates, the good, the bad and the ugly ones. That’s what being a CHAMP is all about!

I’m missing all of that now. Pray for my mother and father. This is a day they’d usually be excited about just as much as if not more than me. Pray their strength. They’ve suffered an unthinkable pain for nearly a year.

Pray for my family. They didn’t deserve to see me go out like this. Pray for my community. Pray their strength is unbreakable as they along with my family demand justice in my name.

Pray for the family of Jordan Davis. He and I share a similar story of how a coward can steal the innocence of a child.

Pray for all the young people who like me just want to make it home from the store without being thought of as suspicious because they’re protecting their head from the rain or because of the way we listen to our music while wearing a beautiful dark hue. A hue so strong and powerful it is seen as a threat and despised because its all that many choose to see about a kid.

Jordan and I both had dreams that were stolen from us in 2012 as blood spilled from our bodies and as we took our last breath. So please, while you still have a chance, this Black History Month and for my 18th Birthday decide today to conquer your dreams, live them courageously and unapologetically and share them with the ones you love!

2 murdered. 7 injured.

PEARL HIGH SCHOOL. Pearl, MS.

March 24, 1998

5 murdered. 10 injured.

WESTSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL. Jonesboro, AK.

April 20, 1999

13 murdered. 24 injured.

COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL. Columbine, CO.

March 25, 2001

2 murdered. 13 injured

SANTANA HIGH SCHOOL. Santee, CA.

March 21, 2005

9 murdered. 7 injured.

RED LAKE HIGH SCHOOL. Red Lake Indian Reservation, MN.

October 2, 2006

5 students murdered. 5 injured.

AMISH SCHOOLHOUSE. Nickel Mines, PA.

April 16, 2007

32 students murdered. 17 injured.

VIRGINIA TECH UNIVERSITY. Blacksburg, VA.

February 14, 2008

5 students murdered. 16 injured.

NORTH ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY. Dekalb, IL

April 2, 2012

7 murdered. 3 injured.

OIKOS UNIVERSITY. Oakland, CA.

December 14, 2012

26 murdered. 20 were children.

SANDY HOOKS ELEMENTARY. Newtown, CT

ENOUGH!!!

Then one day, I met someone who told me to stop that. Who? I honestly don’t remember. I do remember it being at the hair salon though. The woman shared with me how prayer works. Even though I had been praying for myself for over 20 years, until then, I had never considered how it worked besides me telling God what I needed/wanted.

She asked me why I was praying for strength. I told her. She then told me to stop praying for strength and that I was strong. She explained that prayers for strength require weights and lifting weights can grow tiresome and can be difficult.

Just like that, a light when off in my head and a bell rang *ding, ding, ding*

I knew what she was saying was true.

The more I would pray for strength the more I endured. Sure I overcame my situations, but I also attracted them to myself.

It’s like God kept sending me “strength training” exercises and instead of being like, “thanks God, I’m strong now”, I just kept chasing him down with prayers for more strength.

I think God put me in the salon that day with that lady as a way for me to hear from him. He used her to tell me I was strong enough. I needed her to tell me that so I would stop bulking up on strength and to prevent me from being so “strong” in myself that I forgot from whence cometh my strength.

I began praying prayers of Peace shortly thereafter. That was about 7 years ago. I still pray for peace today.

Often when people tell me they are praying for strength I tell them to consider praying for Peace instead.

Think about this… Goliath was a giant filled with strength and might. But all it took was a rock to take him down.

I’m not saying don’t be strong. I’m saying be strong and smart enough to seek peace and to properly utilize your strength.

You can be strong as an ox, handling all kinds of complicated and stressful situations and battles, but the smallest thing can cause you to lose it… But you’re strong though! Don’t lose it over something small.

A friend of mine use to always say “Ju I’m praying for the patience of Job.”

JOB… Why on earth would you pray for the patience of Job? I think she heard that somewhere and ran with it. That’s gotta be it!

To understand and know Job’s story, there’s no way you would pray for or say you have the patience of Job. And why would you, unless you really didn’t know his story.

Wheeeeeeew…

But Peace… Peace is the prayer I’ve grown to seek. Peace alleviates pain, provides purpose and removes the negative situations you don’t even know are brewing in your midst.

I encourage my friends, mentee’s, colleagues, social media pals and even strangers to seek Peace; pray for peace; speak peace and share it.

Yesterday, when my Pastor (and I say that LOL since I haven’t formally joined) preached about peace I was so happy. Philippians 4:6-9 was his text.

Peace is what I have learned to seek and to embrace. It keeps me out of trouble and it feels good.

Peace requires you to release unforgiveness. The two can’t coexist.

Besides if the Prince of Peace died by crucifixion for our sins and forgave us how and why would we hold on to unforgiveness? I’m strong enough to forgive and blessed enough to chose it!

Walk in peace my friends.

All over the nation on Friday nights you can find teens like 17- year old Jordan Davis, “chilling” in a parking lot listening to whatever is the hottest music out. Jordan Davis a student at Wolfson High School in Jacksonville, FL was with friends on Black Friday. The teens had been out at the malls shopping earlier that day. Last Friday night Jordan Davis was seated in the backseat of a SUV with a few friends chilling while parked at a local convenience store when a 45- year old out-of-towner by the name of Michael Dunn pulled up in a dark colored sedan and parked beside them.

Dunn was in town for his son’s wedding. He was in his car with his girlfriend when he and Jordan Davis “met.” According to reports, Dunn told/asked the kids to turn the music down.

The teens and Dunn argued over the music. Somewhere in the argument something ticked and Dunn opened fire, shooting EIGHT or NINE times hitting Jordan Davis twice. Dunn’s attorney says he acted in self-defense.

Dunn’s girlfriend came running out of the convenience store after the shooting and they left.

Jordan Davis was in the SUV when he was fatally wounded. He died while in the backseat of the SUV in the arms of one of his friends.

Witnesses were able to get the tag from the car driven by Dunn. THANK GOD!!!!!

Dunn sped away from the scene returning to his hotel. On Saturday morning, he “heard” that Jordan Davis had died as a result of the shooting on the news and decided he should return home.

173 Miles

I imagine Dunn drove frantically down 95 S or some other route back to his home in Satellite Beach, while the family of Jordan Davis gathered at his home trying to understand why their loved one had been murdered.

Dunn was arrested at his home on Saturday and charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder. At his arraignment, Dunn entered a plea of “Not Guilty.” Dunn’s attorney, Robin Lemonidis had this to say:

“Once all the facts come out, what really happened is made known, that it will be very clear that Mr. Dunn acted responsibly and as any responsible firearms owner acted under these same circumstances.”

According to law enforcement, there were NO GUNS IN THE SUV and none of the teens were carrying weapons. Perhaps the music scared Dunn. Its still unclear what caused him to fear for his life.

Do You Have Questions? I Do.

WHY WOULD YOU (a grown man) ARGUE WITH A KID WHO IS MINDING HIS OWN BUSINESS WITH FRIENDS OVER LOUD MUSIC?

WHO FIRES OFF 8 OR 9 ROUNDS INTO A VEHICLE FILLED WITH TEENAGERS?

WHO FLEES THE SCENE OF A CRIME AND GOES BACK TO THEIR HOTEL?

WHO SKIPS TOWN AFTER LEARNING THAT A KID WAS KILLED FROM 2 OF THE ROUNDS FIRED INTO THE VEHICLE?

WHO DRIVES OVER TWO HOURS AWAY BACK HOME AFTER COMMITTING CAPITAL MURDER?

WHEN IN THE HELL WILL FLORIDA REVISE THEIR STAND YOUR GROUND LAW SO COWARDS CAN STOP MURDERING CHILDREN?

DOES THIS STIR UP EMOTIONS IN YOU OVER FEBRUARY 26, 2012 AND THE MURDER OF TRAYVON MARTIN?

9 Months

Just nine months ago we grappled with the loss of another 17 year old child’s murder in Florida. Remembering Trayvon Martin ~>;; Nine Months Later

*This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. Be blessed and be a blessing.*

I’ve tried to imagine the the how’s and why’s of the situation which would be your last. I’ve reasoned and wrestled with it over and over in my head, on paper and in conversation with close friends. At times your last moments consumed me for hours, sometimes days at a time. I have been saddened, angered and inspired by your death.

Many young men and women die innocently at the hands of a stranger and sometimes at the hands of people they know. However, you were different. Maybe it’s because we’re both Floridians. Perhaps it’s because you reminded me of former students I taught or mentored. Maybe its the love and gentleness I see in your eyes on all the pictures online… I’m not sure why, but I carry it with me. I carry you with me.

I pray for your family. I couldn’t imagine losing my sister or brother brutally at the hands of a coward. The rage of imagining it is so powerful I shake at just the thought of it.

Each time I see my nephew, I squeeze him just a few seconds longer. He probably thinks I’m babying him, but I’m praying for him and the millions of other young men who are targeted as suspects just for the color of their skin. He’s only a year younger than you were when you left this world.

So here we are 9 months later and I ask myself, “What has been “birthed” from your death?”

For me, it’s to not be complacent with the comforts of suburbia and gated communities. It’s also made me glean more about the criminal code and SYG legislation around the nation. I’m sure this is true for others.

I believe that your death won’t be in vain, despite all the pain it has caused. I hope your murderer is found guilty, and I pray for the safety of youth everywhere.

I’m not sure what you dreamed of being when you grew up. I imagine like most young people it was something cool that would be a gift to the world. You should know, despite the sudden halt of those dreams, even in your death you’ve been a gift and you have changed the world.

Nine months…