The Lou Williams Foundation...

I had the extraordinary moment, while visiting Philadelphia, in meeting some truly wonderful people, that traveled to the "City of Brotherly Love." The group was representing the newly formed Lou Williams Foundation. Lou Williams is a professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers. The Memphis native is in a rare class of NBA players where in which, he was drafted right out of high school to play in the NBA in 2005.

The people supporting this newly formed foundation were Ms. Kimberly Haynes, who serves as a chief consultant for the Ombi Group Company in Atlanta, Georgia. And there was the heart and soul of Lou...His mommy.

Lou graduated from South Gwinnett High School located in Snellville, Georgia. His talent put South Gwinnett HIgh School on the map. As a sophomore, he scored a season high 50 points. As a junior, he led his team to the Georgia 5A State Championship. As a senior, he was selected as a McDonald's All-American and named "Mr.Georgia Basketball."

One of his many top accomplishments was receiving the Naismith Award , signifying the nation's top high school player. Lou committed to play at the University of Georgia, but decided to be declared for the 2005 NBA draft. He was selected in the second round of the draft by the Sixers.

He is currently in his fourth season with just over 11 points per game with 3.3 assists.

Ok...that is all great! But...what makes this young man special, is his desire to give back to his community, city, state and the nation in-striving to empower and inspire youth by combining athletics, education and positive mentorship to motivate them to reach their highest level of success.

Lou conducts a basketball camp each summer a his Alma Mater in Georgia, But...Mr. Williams plans to to conduct a free camp for inner-city youth in Philadelphia. FREE??!! That speaks volume of a young man reaching out to help and heal communities and disadvantage youth.

The Lou Williams Foundation will choose three high school basketball teams and challenge them to make outstanding academic achievements. The schools will be from Memphis, Atlanta and Philadelphia. Each student is required to write an essay on the importance of acquiring a good education while pursuing his or her athletic goal. The best essay will be awarded the "Lou Williams Academic Baller of the Year" award and a scholarship to the college of his or her choice. And you notice it said his or hers ... That's right, the young ladies are truly involved the same as the young men.

We need more "Lou Williams" today and to have such a young start and be focused in touching young lives, when his is still upstarting, is truly a blessing and God send. I applaud Lou Williams for this effort and his staff of phenomenal people. I didn't even get to meet the young man, for he had to leave for practice before I arrived. But if the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, his mother, Janice, who serves as the executive director-shows you the fire, love and commitment of her son and this is a testament of her raising this exceptional young man.

For information and more details of this lovely foundation contact the foundation at:

3550 Centerville Hwy. Ste.107-228, Snellville, Georgia 30039. You can also email at: The LWFoundation@gmail.com and http://www.louwill.com/ . If you would like to speak to the Executive Director, call (770) 860-0162- Ms. Janice Faulkner

Support this wonderful foundation and the youth there of and know that You...and Lou...can and will , make a difference in the lives of our youth of America.