Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / June 3, 1999, edition 1 / Page 14
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Stead man from page Bl attainable." Consequently Graham said , he focused all of his attention on sports. He said that is the approach of many young African Americans. Even though he used sports to get him to col lege and make a living, Graham said he didn't understand the free enterprise system. "Most African Americans don't understand the system in America," he told a group of some 100 students, "1 was the same way. My parents didn't understand how to take advan tage of the opportunities they have." Neither did Graham for most of his life. "In order to be successful in this country, you have to have skills that are marketable," he said. The thing that happens to most young blacks is they don't have the skills to make the kind of money to afford the things they want out of life." As a result, Graham said, young African Americans resort to a life of crime. o "I've worked in prison and I've seen a lot of young people just like yourselves," Graham said. "They didn't start out wanting to be criminals. All they wanted to do was have the same things that everyone else wants, like a nice car, a nice place to live, nice clothes and to be able to go on vacation. But once they get out into the world and see that there's no way they can do that with the money they make from their jobs, they turn to crime - most of them selling drugs - to make a living. Before long they're in the jail- And from there, they end up going back agaigrbecause they still don't have the skills to go out and get the type job that will enable them to live the lifestyle they want." Graham said it was after his^ professional basketball career ended that he found himself fac Stoadmon Graham ffluitratot a point to UFT Acadomy studonH. ing the' same situation. But instead of getting involved in crime, he came up with a plan to get access to the system. "That's why it is important for you to understand that you can make it too," he said. "1 made it and I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I real ized that the system will work for you if you have a plan." In his book, titled "You Can Make It", Graham outlines a strategy for success in the busi ness world. Last year, he said, one of his businesses grossed more than $20 million. "It's because I was deter mined to make it happen," he said. "There have been a lot of disappointments in my life but I never gave up. You have to have i the same drive it you want to succeed. Don't let anyone tell you what you can or cannot do in life." Graham committed to send ing each student at LIFT Acade my a copy of his book. "I want you all to read the book and come away with some thing that you can use to help you in life," he said. NAbCAK from page Bl side of NASCAR that minorities aren't given equal access to the sport. ./ "We were treated very well by Bruton Smith and Bill France of NASCAR," Erving said. "They , brought us into their offices and * told "us that we could use them as a resource. They put us in touch with people,who they thought could meet our needs and left the dpor open for us to develop our team." "I think they recognized and respected what w^ brought to the table," Erving added. "We came ^ in and showed theiq that we wanted to participate and that we had something to add to the sport." Although Ervjfig said U might be his and Washington's desire to someday Held a Win ston Cup team, he is perfectly happy with being on the Busch Cup Tour, which is a minor league of sorts to the Winston Cup circuit. "We're not any closer to being a Winston Cup team than we were last year," Erving said. "We're very happy competing on the Busch Tour and(we just want to be the best we can be on that level. That doesn't count out the possibility of an entry or step up down the road. However, Erving said there is no rush. "I think we have shown that we can be competitive," Erving said. "Our sponsor (Dr. Pepper) is happy with what we've done and 1 think we have grown since we started." Erving's primary input is in regards to major financial deci sions. Washington runs the oper- . ation from day to day. That arrangement is fine with both parties. "Joe makes the decision regarding the team," Erving said. "He's there at all 32 races and I might attend five. Jtfe knows the ins and outs of the business." That gives Erving time, to continue to pursue his interests as a sports announcer and to also play golf. For someone who never picked up a golf club until he turned 37, Erving said he is doing quite well. "I played the best round of golf I've ever played on Satur day," he said. "I came late to the ?" sport, but I've grown fond of it. I don't know how good I might- be if I had started in my college days or earjier." * < ' Matkins from page Bl Hayes said he could not com ment. However, a source told The Chronicle that Matkins was excited about the prospect of playing for the Aggies in the upcoming season. Since he is moving from Division I to Divi sion I-AA. Matkins will be eligi ble to play for.the Aggies in the upcoming season. , . Hayes' team might be deeper than any team at A&T since the early 1980s when the Aggies cap tured consecutive MEAC cham pionships. A&T returns nearly i its entire defensive unit and also many of its starting offensive players, including a host of out; standing wide receivers. Perhaps the team's biggest loss was at quarterback, which has not been one of the team's strong suits in recent seasons. Matkins is expected to step in at the quar terback position and that would make the Aggies a legitimate contender for the MEAC cham pionship. Matkins' ability as a pocket passer suits the style that Hayes' team has gone to in recent sea sons. 1 THE CHRONICLE rV < 'hoicr for j African American . ^^VTV* '' Wr*TM and Inform*tion ?fy^ Subscribe Today. Call: mB^mk 722-8624 Count ? The Chronicle For The Best In Local Sports The Deadline For Sports Is 5 pm Monday B8BB| \ ?I y ? : * * ? > ? V -I .V *? ? We think the people who look after us deserve special treatment themselves. V V ^^Irst Citizens IUnk BUSINESS BANKING -Sweep Accounts -Medical Building Real Estate Loans -Medical Equipment Loans & Leases -Retirement Accounts -Online Banking (Business Expressm) www.firstcitizens.com 1-888-FC DIRECT (1-888-323 4732) t Member FDIC At First Citizens, we've created 1 a package of banking services ' - - " specifically designed for doctors and dentists. For example, we offer special rates and terms on medical building real estate loans, with up to 100% financing. \ I ' To find out more, give us a call. 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Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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June 3, 1999, edition 1
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