Andrew Yang calls on LeBron James to join the Yang Gang

Andrew Yang wants LeBron James to be a part of the Yang Gang.

When TMZ Sports asked Yang who’d he choose from the NBA to be his running mate, he wasted no time before saying he’d go with the King himself.

READ MORE: LeBron James dons ‘Beto for Senate’ hat before Lakers game in San Antonio

“I’d have to go with LeBron James,” Yang told TMZ. “He’s already shown he’s got a heart of gold and loves the American people.”

Yang added that James “certainly could do better than the guy who is currently there,” before pondering which name his team would use: “Yang-LeBron. Yang-King. Yang-James.”

Then 2020 democratic presidential hopeful, who also happens to be a huge NBA fan, told TMZ that he wants James’ endorsement. He looked into the camera and sent the Los Angeles Lakers star a message: “LeBron, if you’re watching… let’s work together.”

Yang, a tech entrepreneur, has already attracted a solid group of celebrity endorsements – including musician and actor, Donald Glover, who sponsored a pop-up event for him in LA last month. Other high profile Yang supporters include comedian Dave Chappelle, Weezer star Rivers Cuomo, Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, investor Sam Altman, actors Nicolas Cage and Noah Centineo, and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. Yet, Yang has not yet landed a professional star athlete endorsement.

Bron, who is no fan of President Donald Trump’s and has even called him a “bum” and a “clown” on several occasions, supported Hillary Clinton’s campaign in 2016, and introduced her at a rally in Ohio. So it’s feasible that he will eventually endorse a democratic candidate for president.

Also during the TMZ Sports interview, Yang continued to challenge Texas Sen. Ted Cruz to a basketball battle, “anytime, anyplace, one on one.” Yang challenged Cruz back in September to a game saying the loser would have to donate $5,000 to a non-political charity of the winner’s choosing.

READ MORE: Donald Glover is co-sponsoring a fundraiser for Andrew Yang

Cruz agreed to the challenge even as he told his Twitter followers that Yang had a height advantage and appeared to be a good shot, judging from online videos.

Still, the one-on-one game hasn’t happened.

“Come on Ted, you accepted. You said it was game on. The people of Texas deserve better. The people of the United States deserve better,” Yang joked.

The post Andrew Yang calls on LeBron James to join the Yang Gang appeared first on TheGrio.

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Bundle Up For Winter With $19 Henleys From Jachs

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How to Be a Better White Person in 2020

Occasionally The Root will interrupt our coverage of black news, opinions, politics and culture to openly address our white readership. In 2020, we’d like to finally have that oft-discussed “conversation about race” we hear you guys mention so often. To be clear, white people need to have a conversation about race.…

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Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young donates more than $1M to help Atlanta families’ medical debt

Outstanding medical debt in Atlanta has been reduced by more than $1 million, thanks to Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young and his philanthropic foundation.

The Trae Young Foundation relieved medical debt from 570 struggling families in Atlanta by partnering with RIP Medical Debt, a national nonprofit established to buy down medical debt across the country, according to CNN.

READ MORE: Vince Carter makes history as first NBAer to play in four different decades

“The city of Atlanta has welcomed me with open arms,” Young said, according to CNN. “Giving back to this community is extremely important to me. I hope these families can find a bit of relief knowing that their bills have been taken care of as we enter the New Year.”

RIP Medical Debt was created as a 501c3 in 2014 by two former debt collection executives as a way to purchase bundled medical debt on the secondary debt market for pennies on the dollars, according to the nonprofit’s website. The nonprofit targets those most in need, including debtors that are “two times or below the federal poverty level, insolvent and/or with debts that are five percent or more of gross annual income,” according to the nonprofit.

Once RIP buys up the outstanding debt, the organization sends forgiveness notices to the families and also helps them repair their credit reports, according to the organization’s web site.

Through RIP Medical Debt’s model, Young’s foundation donated $10,000, which erased $1,059,186.39 of medical debt. The average amount of debt forgiven was $1,858, according to a press release.

READ MORE: Tyler Perry pays medical expenses for couple stranded in Mexico

Young is a star point guard in the NBA. He currently ranks fourth in points per game (28.9) in the league and fifth in assists (8.4). He was a 2019 Rookie of the Year Finalist and tied Oscar Robertson’s record as the only players to earn 2,000 points and 800 assists in their first 100 career games.

Young started his foundation last year with a focus on mental health. According to his foundation web page, The Trae Young Foundation aims to help provide continued education and research to make a “positive impact to all children and adults from all walks of life who suffer from Mental Health problems.”

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Sam Sylk: Radio Personality Has A Heart For His Community

BE Modern Man: Sam Sylk

Radio personality, restaurateur, author; 45; Host, The Sam Sylk Show; Owner, Sam Sylk’s Chicken & Fish

Twitter: @samsylkshow; Instagram: @samsylk

I’m blessed to be a voice in the community through my radio show, which is heard on 93.1WZAK in Cleveland, Ohio. Each year I host an annual coat drive, called Winter Wraps. Over six years we have given away more than 7,000 coats.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN LIFE?

Wow; there is so much, I don’t know where to start. I’m proud of me and my wife building an empire with our restaurants, Sam Sylk’s Chicken & Fish.

HOW HAVE YOU TURNED STRUGGLE INTO SUCCESS?

In 2012, I lost my job and closed my business. I thought I would never open another because I was so depressed, but I didn’t give up. I took what I went through to become better. Now, I own Sam Sylk’s Chicken & Fish in four locations in the Cleveland area. It’s the same with radio; being let go several times taught me to build my brand as a radio personality and to stay connected with my followers.

WHO WAS YOUR GREATEST MALE ROLE MODEL AND WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM HIM?

Hubbard Jones, from Chicago, is my friend’s father. He was the guy on the block that everyone looked up to. He took us camping, to church ballgames, etc.—such a great man.

WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?

You have to believe in yourself. If you don’t believe, how will anyone else believe in you or what you’re trying to do? And be consistent!

HOW ARE YOU PAYING IT FORWARD TO SUPPORT OTHER BLACK MALES?

As both a radio personality and an entrepreneur, I pay it forward by being available to listen and give advice. When I was coming up, we had men (what some may call O.G.s—LOL) to drop some knowledge on us, and I feel it’s my duty to mentor young men and give back. For example, I’ve hired three young, male high school students, and these are their first jobs. Employing them gives me a chance to be a positive influence on them.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE MANHOOD?

Manhood is being a leader and a role model for someone. We have to protect our families and community.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT BEING A BLACK MAN?

Overcoming obstacles and being there for my family and community.

 

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BE Modern Man is an online and social media campaign designed to celebrate black men making valuable contributions in every profession, industry, community, and area of endeavor. Each year, we solicit nominations in order to select men of color for inclusion in the 100 Black Enterprise Modern Men of Distinction. Our goal is to recognize men who epitomize the BEMM credo “Extraordinary is our normal” in their day-to-day lives, presenting authentic examples of the typical black man rarely seen in mainstream media. The BE Modern Men of Distinction are celebrated annually at Black Men XCEL (www.blackenterprise.com/blackmenxcel/). Click this link to submit a nomination for BE Modern Man: https://www.blackenterprise.com/nominate/. Follow BE Modern Man on Twitter: @bemodernman and Instagram: @be_modernman.

 

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