MAAFA graduate and current program manager Quentin Harris explains how the program changed his life
By Ashley Gimbel
Throughout the past Fall Quarter, I’ve had the fortune of working with the Chicago Bulls and the MAAFA Redemption Project, thanks to Professor Andy Clark’s Introduction to Sports Management course. Myself along with my classmates met with Marshall Hatch Jr., Executive Director and Coach at the MAAFA Redemption Project, DePaul alum and Chicago Bulls Director of Alumni Relations, Tony Rokita along with two former Chicago Bulls Players and a graduate of the MAAFA Redemption Project. Each meeting worked towards creating proposals that will help raise awareness for the MAAFA Redemption Project while utilizing the resources of the Chicago Bulls. This experience allowed me to work with surrounding Chicago area organizations, make meaningful connections after a fully virtual school year, brainstorm ways to better Chicago communities and gain meaningful perspective. Many thanks to the Chicago Bulls and the MAAFA Redemption Project for allowing us to collaborate with them this quarter.
The MAAFA Redemption Project is a faith-based organization in West Garfield Park to help at-risk young men ages 18-30. Half of MAAFA’s 26 students participate in a residential program and are required to wake up at 7:15 am to begin their daily program. The rigorous daily schedule includes participation in philosophy and self-identity courses, meditation, and job training in addition to other courses and activities. Quentin Harris, graduate of the program and current program manager and life coach at MAAFA, spoke to the class about MAAFA’s impact on his life. Harris told the class that the self-identity course was the most impactful part of MAAFA. In this course, Harris learned about African American culture, the Civil Rights Act, and the Atlantic Slave Trade. Prior to taking the course, Harris explained that he saw his neighbors as enemies. The course provided him with a different perspective, and Harris is now able to see people in a different light.
Teams present their final projects to Tony Rokita, Marshall Hatch Jr., and the class in Week 10
Marshall Hatch Jr., MAAFA’s executive director, elaborated that the young men in West Garfield Park need an opportunity and a space where they can put their talent and skills into the world. “It was very encouraging to partner with DePaul University and the Chicago Bulls on this critical project. Often our work at MAAFA feels isolated, but it was heartening to witness a diverse group of students become fellow thought-partners dedicated to grappling with one of the city’s seemingly intractable problems,” Hatch explained. “I remain optimistic about Chicago’s future because, yet another space has been created for the sharing of ideas, commitments, and hopes.”
The class also met with Tony Rokita, the Bulls’ director of alumni relations and a DePaul alum who has spent over 30 seasons with the Bulls. Rokita proudly spoke of the fact that since 1987, the Chicago Bulls have raised over $37 million for charitable organizations with an emphasis on education, health and wellness, and anti-violence.
During the first class meeting, Rokita brought along former Chicago Bulls players, Randy Brown (’95-’00) and Mickey Johnson (’74-’79). Brown and Johnson stressed the importance of education for all youth. The former players continue giving back to their communities. Additionally, the students learned about MAAFA and the goal of the project, which was to spread MAAFA’s mission while utilizing the resources of and including the Bulls. The class was split into seven teams consisting of five students each. Teams began brainstorming ideas that would work towards this goal.
Former Chicago Bulls player, Mickey Johnson stressed the importance of education for all
At the next meeting, teams pitched one to two ideas to Hatch and Harris, and the duo offered constructive ideas and pivoting points in return.
The third meeting for the class was a Zoom session with Rokita. Each team provided a short description of its idea and potential sponsors. Rokita’s feedback for all teams included that each team project must have specific metrics to measure success, have a specific plan to incorporate the Bulls’ unique assets, have defined goals to make the community better and explain how to specifically engage people with this project.
After four weeks of work, each team had 10-15 minutes to pitch its idea, which included a crosstown basketball tournament, a sports complex, partnering with the LaSalle Network to start a job search and mentorship program, a basketball summer camp, mental health programs, and other unique ideas. Rokita and Hatch watched all the presentations, asked questions, and delivered detailed feedback.
While reflecting on the presentations, Rokita explained that “it’s been incredibly inspiring to see all the DePaul students in both classes come up with innovative, impactful ideas about how to support MAAFA and increase opportunities to work together with the Chicago Bulls. I’ve been working together with Professor Clark for over four years, and this was one of the best class presentations I’ve been involved with.”
From left, DePaul alumnus Tony Rokita, Mickey Johnson (Chicago Bulls ’74-’79), Randy Brown (Chicago Bulls (’94-’00) and Andy Clark outside of the DePaul Center on the Loop Campus
Students in the course not only had the opportunity to work with the professional business community but also learned how to work in teams, challenged themselves, and were able to see tangible outputs on MAAFA and the Bulls from this project.
Ashley Gimbel is a senior at DePaul double majoring in Sports Communication and Communication Studies. She works for DePaul Athletics in the Sports Information office as a communication assistant. You can reach Ashley on LinkedIn.
Photo Credits: Kathy Hillegonds