1 00:00:05,920 --> 00:00:28,440 Speaker 1: Hmm. Welcome back all the smoke, LA. We're honored today 2 00:00:28,680 --> 00:00:32,800 Speaker 1: to have one of the most powerful women in basketball, 3 00:00:34,159 --> 00:00:38,120 Speaker 1: Vice President of the Lakers, Keisha Knicks. Welcome to the show, 4 00:00:38,440 --> 00:00:42,239 Speaker 1: Welcome to thank you, black woman Rock. Yes, who do 5 00:00:44,280 --> 00:00:47,400 Speaker 1: That's a mighty title. How did that title come about? 6 00:00:47,440 --> 00:00:50,280 Speaker 1: And how did you end up getting that position? Well? 7 00:00:50,320 --> 00:00:53,440 Speaker 1: I started my career actually in finance, believe it or not, 8 00:00:53,760 --> 00:00:56,360 Speaker 1: and I did that for about twenty one years. But 9 00:00:56,440 --> 00:01:00,440 Speaker 1: the last few years I managed the Bank of America 10 00:01:00,480 --> 00:01:03,040 Speaker 1: sponsorship with the Los Angeles Dodgers, So that got me 11 00:01:03,080 --> 00:01:06,240 Speaker 1: into sports and sports philanthropy and I did that job 12 00:01:06,280 --> 00:01:08,959 Speaker 1: pretty good. And when Jeannie Buss was looking for someone 13 00:01:09,040 --> 00:01:12,679 Speaker 1: to oversee the Lakers Foundation, she called the Dodgers. The 14 00:01:12,720 --> 00:01:15,280 Speaker 1: Dodgers referred me. I got a call on a Monday, 15 00:01:15,319 --> 00:01:18,240 Speaker 1: and by Friday, I had a whole new career. I mean, 16 00:01:18,319 --> 00:01:21,080 Speaker 1: someone who grew up in South central LA. What did 17 00:01:21,080 --> 00:01:23,560 Speaker 1: that mean? I mean, Dodgers was probably a cool opportunity, 18 00:01:23,640 --> 00:01:25,960 Speaker 1: but there's nothing like the Lakers. What did it mean 19 00:01:26,000 --> 00:01:29,319 Speaker 1: to you a girl coming from LA to be a 20 00:01:29,400 --> 00:01:32,640 Speaker 1: black woman coming into this position. But just the prestige 21 00:01:32,640 --> 00:01:35,640 Speaker 1: of the Lakers, I mean I grew up a huge 22 00:01:35,720 --> 00:01:39,240 Speaker 1: Lakers family. My family is all LA all day long. 23 00:01:39,640 --> 00:01:43,000 Speaker 1: So I'm from South central LA born and raised. We 24 00:01:43,040 --> 00:01:45,640 Speaker 1: watched the Dodgers, we watched the Lakers. You know, you 25 00:01:45,640 --> 00:01:47,880 Speaker 1: could do what you wanted on football, but those were 26 00:01:47,880 --> 00:01:51,559 Speaker 1: two teams. There was just no other things. And so 27 00:01:51,640 --> 00:01:55,880 Speaker 1: to grow up watching you know, Magic and Kareem and 28 00:01:56,160 --> 00:01:59,280 Speaker 1: Worthy and you know, all these Laker legends, and to 29 00:01:59,520 --> 00:02:03,600 Speaker 1: now work with them, to be a colleague, to call them, 30 00:02:03,880 --> 00:02:06,040 Speaker 1: you know, or they call me, you know, whenever they 31 00:02:06,080 --> 00:02:08,960 Speaker 1: need something. It's like a dream come true. And sometimes 32 00:02:08,960 --> 00:02:11,240 Speaker 1: I have to really pinch myself. And then to be 33 00:02:11,280 --> 00:02:13,799 Speaker 1: able to go back into the community that I grew 34 00:02:13,880 --> 00:02:18,000 Speaker 1: up in and to make opportunities happen for kids that 35 00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:21,440 Speaker 1: look like me, that is literally something I can't believe 36 00:02:21,440 --> 00:02:24,760 Speaker 1: it's work. I can't believe I'm being paid. You probably 37 00:02:24,760 --> 00:02:26,520 Speaker 1: like a player, you probably get phone called Can I 38 00:02:26,520 --> 00:02:28,120 Speaker 1: get some tickets? Can I get some tickets? Can I 39 00:02:28,120 --> 00:02:30,200 Speaker 1: get some to It's what's that demand been like and 40 00:02:30,240 --> 00:02:31,960 Speaker 1: what's kind of what was the response from your family, 41 00:02:31,960 --> 00:02:34,240 Speaker 1: Like you said, obviously you know huge Laker fans. How 42 00:02:34,960 --> 00:02:36,839 Speaker 1: how did that go across with the family? Oh, my god. 43 00:02:36,880 --> 00:02:40,959 Speaker 1: My family is so excited. My son is probably getting 44 00:02:40,960 --> 00:02:43,960 Speaker 1: the most of this because he's an only child and 45 00:02:44,000 --> 00:02:45,800 Speaker 1: so he gets to go to, you know, everything, But 46 00:02:45,880 --> 00:02:48,840 Speaker 1: my family is just they're really proud of me. Um. 47 00:02:49,080 --> 00:02:51,120 Speaker 1: They are the ones that don't ask for tickets and 48 00:02:51,160 --> 00:02:55,440 Speaker 1: they could. It's the people that shouldn't do the right Yes. Yes, 49 00:02:55,639 --> 00:02:59,160 Speaker 1: oh got the week of Lebron making history. You can't imagine. 50 00:02:59,160 --> 00:03:01,960 Speaker 1: On my phone was blowing up. But you know, I 51 00:03:02,040 --> 00:03:04,120 Speaker 1: do what I can, and I usually tell people just 52 00:03:04,200 --> 00:03:06,799 Speaker 1: let me bless you, don't ask me, let me bless you, 53 00:03:07,200 --> 00:03:09,760 Speaker 1: you know. And we have we have an allocation of 54 00:03:09,760 --> 00:03:12,440 Speaker 1: tickets for the community that we give out like every 55 00:03:12,480 --> 00:03:15,400 Speaker 1: single game, and so I you know, I meet people 56 00:03:15,440 --> 00:03:18,320 Speaker 1: every day that you know, have youth and I'm like, hey, 57 00:03:18,320 --> 00:03:20,080 Speaker 1: do they want to come to a Laker game? And 58 00:03:20,120 --> 00:03:22,200 Speaker 1: they say yes, and I'm able to do that for them. 59 00:03:22,280 --> 00:03:24,000 Speaker 1: That's awesome. We got a chance to see each other 60 00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:28,960 Speaker 1: the other night. I got to moderate the Showtime Laker panel, which, 61 00:03:29,280 --> 00:03:31,600 Speaker 1: like you said, we grew up watching these guys. And 62 00:03:31,639 --> 00:03:33,639 Speaker 1: to be able to sit down and talk to them 63 00:03:33,680 --> 00:03:35,440 Speaker 1: for an hour and a half, I mean, what is 64 00:03:35,440 --> 00:03:37,840 Speaker 1: it like mixing elbows and like you said, being colleagues 65 00:03:37,880 --> 00:03:41,280 Speaker 1: with guys like Magic and Kareem and Worthy and dealing 66 00:03:41,280 --> 00:03:44,120 Speaker 1: with guys like that, and then also Lebron and everything 67 00:03:44,120 --> 00:03:46,240 Speaker 1: that kind of comes with that Laker title, you know 68 00:03:46,320 --> 00:03:50,520 Speaker 1: it Like I said, it's it's amazing, and it gives 69 00:03:50,520 --> 00:03:54,600 Speaker 1: me the opportunity to change other people's lives. It's not 70 00:03:54,640 --> 00:03:57,160 Speaker 1: something that I take lightly because you know, we have 71 00:03:57,280 --> 00:04:01,480 Speaker 1: this iconic brand, this global brand, and we can use 72 00:04:01,560 --> 00:04:06,000 Speaker 1: that to really create opportunities for black and brown youth 73 00:04:06,200 --> 00:04:08,960 Speaker 1: that otherwise wouldn't have it. And then when you think 74 00:04:08,960 --> 00:04:11,920 Speaker 1: about our legends and our current players, how many of 75 00:04:11,960 --> 00:04:15,960 Speaker 1: them grew up single parent households, at boys and girls clubs, 76 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:19,120 Speaker 1: at Park and Rex. If they didn't have somebody look 77 00:04:19,120 --> 00:04:22,160 Speaker 1: out for them or some type of community advocate, they 78 00:04:22,160 --> 00:04:24,719 Speaker 1: wouldn't even be where they are today. So I feel 79 00:04:24,720 --> 00:04:27,800 Speaker 1: like the jobs that we have in philanthropy and in 80 00:04:27,839 --> 00:04:31,599 Speaker 1: community are so vital and so important, you know, because 81 00:04:31,680 --> 00:04:34,240 Speaker 1: if it weren't for some of the programs that we have, 82 00:04:34,680 --> 00:04:37,600 Speaker 1: we wouldn't have the Magics and the Shacks, you know, 83 00:04:38,160 --> 00:04:41,360 Speaker 1: and the Lebrons. They all have stories and a lot 84 00:04:41,360 --> 00:04:46,080 Speaker 1: of them are really similar. So I really understand the responsibility. 85 00:04:46,680 --> 00:04:50,159 Speaker 1: I may only have one biological child, but I feel 86 00:04:50,200 --> 00:04:52,600 Speaker 1: like the youth in my community all belong to me. 87 00:04:53,320 --> 00:04:56,560 Speaker 1: That because it takes a village obviously get an opportunity 88 00:04:56,560 --> 00:04:58,560 Speaker 1: to work with the Dodgers now the Lakers. Was that 89 00:04:58,680 --> 00:05:00,560 Speaker 1: always your goal to try to to find a way 90 00:05:00,600 --> 00:05:03,040 Speaker 1: to get into sports her that just kind of pop up. 91 00:05:03,640 --> 00:05:06,360 Speaker 1: It kind of popped up. I always loved sports. My 92 00:05:06,440 --> 00:05:09,160 Speaker 1: goal was really to be able to just do work 93 00:05:09,160 --> 00:05:12,159 Speaker 1: in the community. So while I was working in finance 94 00:05:12,200 --> 00:05:14,599 Speaker 1: and it was paying the bills, I was doing community 95 00:05:14,600 --> 00:05:17,360 Speaker 1: relations for free. I'm still waiting on that rebate check 96 00:05:17,400 --> 00:05:20,960 Speaker 1: to income. I was at Merrill Lynch for eighteen years, 97 00:05:21,400 --> 00:05:24,200 Speaker 1: working in high net worth finance. But I found a 98 00:05:24,240 --> 00:05:29,160 Speaker 1: way to bring those wealthy individuals to Compton, to South Central, 99 00:05:29,279 --> 00:05:32,680 Speaker 1: to watts So because of my day job, I was 100 00:05:32,720 --> 00:05:36,760 Speaker 1: able to create other opportunities. And after about eighteen years, 101 00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:39,680 Speaker 1: and Bank of America bought Merrill, they asked me to 102 00:05:39,760 --> 00:05:42,039 Speaker 1: join community relations and I said, oh, wait a minute, 103 00:05:42,080 --> 00:05:44,159 Speaker 1: I don't want to do this for real. I want 104 00:05:44,160 --> 00:05:47,320 Speaker 1: to do this, you know, for play. Going into community 105 00:05:47,320 --> 00:05:50,440 Speaker 1: relations was not lucrative. It was a pay cut a 106 00:05:50,480 --> 00:05:53,160 Speaker 1: big pay cut and my son was going off to college, 107 00:05:53,160 --> 00:05:55,520 Speaker 1: and as a single mom, like who makes that kind 108 00:05:55,560 --> 00:05:58,680 Speaker 1: of decision? But I knew that I would not end 109 00:05:58,760 --> 00:06:01,880 Speaker 1: up where I really wanted to if I didn't take 110 00:06:01,920 --> 00:06:03,760 Speaker 1: that leap of faith. And I didn't know that it 111 00:06:03,760 --> 00:06:05,240 Speaker 1: was gonna be with the Lakers. I didn't know that 112 00:06:05,279 --> 00:06:07,400 Speaker 1: it was gonna be with the Dodgers. I just knew 113 00:06:07,440 --> 00:06:10,560 Speaker 1: that serving my community was what I was born to do, 114 00:06:10,800 --> 00:06:13,440 Speaker 1: being a fan first and foremost and now working with them. 115 00:06:13,520 --> 00:06:15,400 Speaker 1: Was there anyone that you were kind of in awe, 116 00:06:15,440 --> 00:06:19,279 Speaker 1: whether it be Genie, Magic, Braun, I may be forgetting 117 00:06:19,279 --> 00:06:21,240 Speaker 1: people when you kind of first got the job, when 118 00:06:21,240 --> 00:06:23,880 Speaker 1: getting your feel under you. I would say, well, definitely, 119 00:06:23,880 --> 00:06:28,080 Speaker 1: in all of all of the above. But when when asked, 120 00:06:28,240 --> 00:06:31,599 Speaker 1: you know, Magic is just the ultimate, you know, Laker 121 00:06:31,680 --> 00:06:35,400 Speaker 1: for me and being able to work with him, my 122 00:06:35,440 --> 00:06:39,360 Speaker 1: son was in his mentoring scholarship program, so I got 123 00:06:39,400 --> 00:06:41,680 Speaker 1: to see, you know, the other side of him, and 124 00:06:41,760 --> 00:06:44,640 Speaker 1: now to be able to work with him is just amazing. 125 00:06:44,839 --> 00:06:48,800 Speaker 1: He is all that that you seem, always so upbeat, 126 00:06:48,839 --> 00:06:52,240 Speaker 1: always so uplifting, and he was one of the very 127 00:06:52,240 --> 00:06:55,239 Speaker 1: first people to call and congratulate me when I became 128 00:06:55,880 --> 00:06:59,880 Speaker 1: vice president, the first black female UNI in the history 129 00:07:00,080 --> 00:07:05,840 Speaker 1: the Lakers. That's big. That's really big. It's really big. Yeah. Um, 130 00:07:06,279 --> 00:07:09,200 Speaker 1: Genie offended the program. I've known Genie for a long time. 131 00:07:09,520 --> 00:07:11,720 Speaker 1: Talk to us about her. Yeah, Jack has a crush 132 00:07:11,720 --> 00:07:16,000 Speaker 1: on her, but that my friends crush, professional crush. No, 133 00:07:16,280 --> 00:07:19,440 Speaker 1: there's girls who have girls girls crush on Jennie. UM. 134 00:07:19,520 --> 00:07:23,240 Speaker 1: Genie's amazing, UM, being able to work you know, directly 135 00:07:23,240 --> 00:07:26,560 Speaker 1: with her um daily. Um. She's definitely somebody that I 136 00:07:26,600 --> 00:07:29,600 Speaker 1: look up to. UM. She said, you know, it's okay 137 00:07:29,600 --> 00:07:31,200 Speaker 1: to be the first, but it's not okay to be 138 00:07:31,240 --> 00:07:35,240 Speaker 1: the only. And you know those words, you know, inspire me. 139 00:07:35,440 --> 00:07:38,120 Speaker 1: You know, she's so smart. But what I love most 140 00:07:38,160 --> 00:07:41,720 Speaker 1: about her, she's so humble. She is just so humble, Like, 141 00:07:41,800 --> 00:07:44,120 Speaker 1: you know, she's just walking around the office. You know, 142 00:07:44,240 --> 00:07:46,800 Speaker 1: she's regular. She parks in the same places that we 143 00:07:46,880 --> 00:07:49,200 Speaker 1: park our cars and and she doesn't ask for a 144 00:07:49,280 --> 00:07:52,680 Speaker 1: lot of special privileges. UM. And she works hard, Like 145 00:07:52,720 --> 00:07:55,040 Speaker 1: sometimes I feel guilty if I'm leaving the office and 146 00:07:55,080 --> 00:07:57,640 Speaker 1: she's her car is still there. You know, she's an 147 00:07:57,680 --> 00:08:01,280 Speaker 1: owner that that believes in work and showing up and 148 00:08:01,320 --> 00:08:04,640 Speaker 1: so she's somebody that I definitely admire and I'm just 149 00:08:04,800 --> 00:08:06,480 Speaker 1: you know, I feel blessed to be able to work 150 00:08:06,760 --> 00:08:09,600 Speaker 1: and learn so much from her. Kobe was someone who 151 00:08:09,640 --> 00:08:11,520 Speaker 1: was big with giving back to the youth in the 152 00:08:11,560 --> 00:08:15,440 Speaker 1: community and obviously the Mamba Academy. Any stories about Kobe, 153 00:08:15,440 --> 00:08:18,440 Speaker 1: you get a chance to meet Kobe. Yes, So Kobe's 154 00:08:18,560 --> 00:08:20,760 Speaker 1: last year was my first year, okay, and so we 155 00:08:20,800 --> 00:08:23,440 Speaker 1: didn't do a lot of work together. That year. He 156 00:08:23,520 --> 00:08:26,200 Speaker 1: did things for the foundation, and it wasn't until like 157 00:08:26,320 --> 00:08:30,840 Speaker 1: Jersey retirement time that I started working with him and 158 00:08:30,880 --> 00:08:34,600 Speaker 1: the president of his organization, his corporation, and I helped 159 00:08:34,640 --> 00:08:36,880 Speaker 1: them raise a lot of money for the Mamba Foundation, 160 00:08:37,400 --> 00:08:39,439 Speaker 1: and they came back to me and said, you know what, 161 00:08:39,480 --> 00:08:41,520 Speaker 1: we like you, we want to work with you. And 162 00:08:41,559 --> 00:08:44,600 Speaker 1: so we started to do a lot of projects together. 163 00:08:45,040 --> 00:08:46,880 Speaker 1: And I was able to sit on a panel with 164 00:08:46,960 --> 00:08:51,360 Speaker 1: Kobe during Women's History Month in twenty eighteen, and that 165 00:08:51,480 --> 00:08:55,000 Speaker 1: was amazing just to see how excited he was about 166 00:08:55,120 --> 00:08:58,720 Speaker 1: women in sports, just like how when he played, you know, 167 00:08:58,760 --> 00:09:00,920 Speaker 1: and I just felt like, how he's going to really 168 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:03,920 Speaker 1: change the game, you know, for women in sports. And 169 00:09:04,000 --> 00:09:06,439 Speaker 1: so it was a blessing to be able to work 170 00:09:06,480 --> 00:09:08,480 Speaker 1: so closely with him. I really felt like, I mean, 171 00:09:09,800 --> 00:09:12,559 Speaker 1: he was the main push. I feel like, as a 172 00:09:12,800 --> 00:09:16,160 Speaker 1: former athlete that really started like okay, we because we 173 00:09:16,400 --> 00:09:18,720 Speaker 1: all supported the w NBA, but it just wasn't you know, 174 00:09:18,760 --> 00:09:20,400 Speaker 1: we watched it. You know, how do you come out 175 00:09:20,400 --> 00:09:23,320 Speaker 1: and really show support and get the gear and really 176 00:09:23,400 --> 00:09:25,960 Speaker 1: let people know that we are fans of this. And 177 00:09:26,200 --> 00:09:28,959 Speaker 1: I really credit him for really kind of making that push, 178 00:09:29,000 --> 00:09:31,080 Speaker 1: not only in the w NBA, but even in college 179 00:09:31,160 --> 00:09:34,000 Speaker 1: women's college athletics to kind of be like, okay, like hey, 180 00:09:34,000 --> 00:09:36,520 Speaker 1: we do support, let's really show them how we support. 181 00:09:36,640 --> 00:09:38,760 Speaker 1: And you know, I always, you know, took my hat 182 00:09:38,800 --> 00:09:44,080 Speaker 1: off to him for that. Thoughts on Lebron's longevity not 183 00:09:44,120 --> 00:09:46,680 Speaker 1: only in basketball, but the effect he has in the 184 00:09:46,760 --> 00:09:51,719 Speaker 1: community off the court. I mean, it's phenomenal to know 185 00:09:51,840 --> 00:09:56,480 Speaker 1: that he has created a whole school. I mean, just 186 00:09:56,600 --> 00:09:59,040 Speaker 1: the sounds of that, you know. I mean, yes, he 187 00:09:59,400 --> 00:10:01,439 Speaker 1: wrote the school record, and yes he's been in the 188 00:10:01,480 --> 00:10:04,960 Speaker 1: league for twenty years, but he designed a school and 189 00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:08,600 Speaker 1: he's he's changing lives of you know, the young people 190 00:10:08,640 --> 00:10:12,240 Speaker 1: in Akron, and he's giving them opportunities to go to college, 191 00:10:12,800 --> 00:10:16,000 Speaker 1: and he's not only helping them, he's helping their parents. 192 00:10:16,280 --> 00:10:18,800 Speaker 1: You know, it's a family affair, you know, with him, 193 00:10:19,240 --> 00:10:22,319 Speaker 1: and so it may sound crazy, but I'm more proud 194 00:10:22,360 --> 00:10:25,120 Speaker 1: of what he does off the court, even though he's 195 00:10:25,200 --> 00:10:28,200 Speaker 1: phenomenal on the court, because what he's doing off the 196 00:10:28,240 --> 00:10:31,319 Speaker 1: court will go so much further and will last so long. 197 00:10:31,640 --> 00:10:34,600 Speaker 1: And when I think about sometimes I look at interviews 198 00:10:34,640 --> 00:10:37,439 Speaker 1: he did coming right out of high school, and then 199 00:10:37,440 --> 00:10:40,760 Speaker 1: I think about how this man never went to college, 200 00:10:41,080 --> 00:10:44,359 Speaker 1: and when you hear him speak, he is so educated 201 00:10:44,440 --> 00:10:47,720 Speaker 1: and so on point, and I'm thinking, wow, I mean 202 00:10:47,760 --> 00:10:50,559 Speaker 1: that is just you know, the power of hard work. 203 00:10:50,880 --> 00:10:53,400 Speaker 1: Hard work is the great equalizer, I always say. And 204 00:10:53,440 --> 00:10:55,880 Speaker 1: so when I look at that, you can't tell me 205 00:10:56,280 --> 00:10:59,120 Speaker 1: that our young people can't do things like this. I mean, 206 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:01,240 Speaker 1: he was he said, I'm not going to be a 207 00:11:01,240 --> 00:11:03,839 Speaker 1: product of my environment. I know where I was born 208 00:11:03,960 --> 00:11:06,120 Speaker 1: and raised, but I'm going to do more than that. 209 00:11:06,200 --> 00:11:08,720 Speaker 1: And he defied all the odds. And so he's just 210 00:11:08,760 --> 00:11:10,960 Speaker 1: another one that I feel like our young people can 211 00:11:11,000 --> 00:11:14,000 Speaker 1: really look up to. I love that is what's the 212 00:11:14,080 --> 00:11:15,719 Speaker 1: day in the life for you? Like, well, what kind 213 00:11:15,720 --> 00:11:17,679 Speaker 1: of stuff in the community are you doing or around 214 00:11:17,720 --> 00:11:19,600 Speaker 1: the organization. What kind of stuff do you do? Oh? 215 00:11:19,640 --> 00:11:22,400 Speaker 1: My god, everything. So I left, I left speaking out 216 00:11:22,400 --> 00:11:24,880 Speaker 1: of high school this morning to come over here to 217 00:11:24,880 --> 00:11:27,400 Speaker 1: see you guys. Thank you very much, Yes, thank you. 218 00:11:27,520 --> 00:11:30,200 Speaker 1: And I go to all of our home games. I 219 00:11:30,240 --> 00:11:33,679 Speaker 1: have a fundraising element at every game. I have two 220 00:11:33,840 --> 00:11:37,520 Speaker 1: hundred community people, youth and organizations that I host at 221 00:11:37,600 --> 00:11:42,600 Speaker 1: every single game. I'm building basketball courts all around Los Angeles. 222 00:11:42,679 --> 00:11:44,760 Speaker 1: I think we're a little over forty at this point. 223 00:11:46,520 --> 00:11:49,240 Speaker 1: You know. I have health and fitness and basketball clinics. 224 00:11:49,600 --> 00:11:52,640 Speaker 1: We work with over twenty boys and girls clubs. That's 225 00:11:52,640 --> 00:11:56,320 Speaker 1: over a hundred thousand young people. Last night at the game, 226 00:11:56,640 --> 00:12:01,760 Speaker 1: we flew in the Jubilee singers from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. 227 00:12:01,960 --> 00:12:05,280 Speaker 1: They sang the national anthem. Last year was the first 228 00:12:05,280 --> 00:12:08,440 Speaker 1: time we ever had the black national anthems sunk at 229 00:12:08,440 --> 00:12:11,960 Speaker 1: a Lakers game, and that was thanks to our work 230 00:12:12,000 --> 00:12:16,520 Speaker 1: with Fifth University. UM. So, I mean, I'm everywhere as 231 00:12:16,600 --> 00:12:20,200 Speaker 1: much as I can be. It's not just in Los Angeles, 232 00:12:20,280 --> 00:12:24,360 Speaker 1: but mostly in Los Angeles and really in our underresource communities. 233 00:12:24,640 --> 00:12:27,800 Speaker 1: That's where you know the need is important and it's 234 00:12:27,840 --> 00:12:30,679 Speaker 1: important for me to show up and not just send 235 00:12:30,720 --> 00:12:34,160 Speaker 1: the check or send the basketballs or send the resources. 236 00:12:34,360 --> 00:12:36,800 Speaker 1: I want them to see me. I want them to 237 00:12:36,880 --> 00:12:40,839 Speaker 1: understand that the person that makes these decisions looks like them, right, 238 00:12:41,160 --> 00:12:43,880 Speaker 1: looks like their mom, looks like their grandmother or their sister. 239 00:12:44,160 --> 00:12:46,839 Speaker 1: I want them to understand that. And so every opportunity 240 00:12:46,880 --> 00:12:49,400 Speaker 1: that I get to go out and you know, flash 241 00:12:49,480 --> 00:12:54,920 Speaker 1: the ring, because not everybody, you know, especially not a 242 00:12:54,960 --> 00:12:57,440 Speaker 1: lot of women you know, have that. And so I'm 243 00:12:57,480 --> 00:13:00,160 Speaker 1: so proud of this, and so I do it so 244 00:13:00,280 --> 00:13:03,920 Speaker 1: that the young people that I serve understand what's possible. 245 00:13:04,120 --> 00:13:06,520 Speaker 1: Absolutely got to see it to believe it. That part 246 00:13:06,800 --> 00:13:10,960 Speaker 1: what goes into planning a showcase like a HBC. You 247 00:13:11,000 --> 00:13:13,600 Speaker 1: have time and stuff like that, like how difficult and 248 00:13:13,640 --> 00:13:16,439 Speaker 1: tedious you have to be to make sure everything goes 249 00:13:16,520 --> 00:13:19,560 Speaker 1: right with that, you know, you have to take a 250 00:13:19,600 --> 00:13:22,880 Speaker 1: lot and you have to understand what the greater good 251 00:13:22,920 --> 00:13:25,160 Speaker 1: who this is going to really serve. And so not 252 00:13:25,240 --> 00:13:29,680 Speaker 1: everyone always sees your vision. You know, I'm one who 253 00:13:30,040 --> 00:13:32,880 Speaker 1: you know is positive. And so I think about five 254 00:13:32,960 --> 00:13:34,880 Speaker 1: years ago, some of this stuff that I'm getting done 255 00:13:35,040 --> 00:13:38,400 Speaker 1: would not have been able. But because of social justice. 256 00:13:38,800 --> 00:13:41,480 Speaker 1: Because of things that happened during the pandemic, there are 257 00:13:41,520 --> 00:13:44,200 Speaker 1: so many more opportunities, and so you kind of have 258 00:13:44,240 --> 00:13:46,679 Speaker 1: to have patience, and you have to understand that not 259 00:13:46,720 --> 00:13:49,680 Speaker 1: everything that you want to do is going to happen overnight, 260 00:13:49,720 --> 00:13:52,160 Speaker 1: and not everybody sees your vision. But if you can 261 00:13:52,200 --> 00:13:55,640 Speaker 1: just have the patience and the wherewithal to see it through, 262 00:13:56,040 --> 00:13:59,280 Speaker 1: then you can make something like an HBCU. You know, 263 00:13:59,320 --> 00:14:02,760 Speaker 1: we had the very first HBCU come to a Lakers 264 00:14:02,800 --> 00:14:06,080 Speaker 1: game three years ago. We started with FAMU, then we 265 00:14:06,160 --> 00:14:09,079 Speaker 1: had Southern, Then last year we had Tennessee State, Now 266 00:14:09,120 --> 00:14:12,720 Speaker 1: we got FISK. Those things didn't happen before, and so 267 00:14:12,880 --> 00:14:15,320 Speaker 1: I could have gotten angry or frustrated, but I just 268 00:14:15,400 --> 00:14:18,440 Speaker 1: kept saying, in due time, in due time, how hard 269 00:14:18,480 --> 00:14:19,880 Speaker 1: is it, real quick not to cut you off, Jack, 270 00:14:19,960 --> 00:14:23,120 Speaker 1: to kind of weed out because obviously everyone wants to 271 00:14:23,120 --> 00:14:24,840 Speaker 1: be able to test their name to the Laker brand. 272 00:14:24,880 --> 00:14:27,160 Speaker 1: How hard is it to weed out what you choose 273 00:14:27,200 --> 00:14:30,560 Speaker 1: to do and what you may pass on. Ninety five 274 00:14:30,600 --> 00:14:34,120 Speaker 1: percent of my job is saying no to believe it 275 00:14:34,160 --> 00:14:37,560 Speaker 1: or not ninety percent because we get that many requests, 276 00:14:38,040 --> 00:14:41,720 Speaker 1: there's that many amazing organizations that I have to say 277 00:14:41,840 --> 00:14:44,680 Speaker 1: no that much, and that's really one of the most 278 00:14:44,760 --> 00:14:47,960 Speaker 1: challenging parts of my job. And Jeanie Bust and Linda 279 00:14:48,040 --> 00:14:50,920 Speaker 1: Rambas told me that when I got there, that is 280 00:14:50,920 --> 00:14:53,840 Speaker 1: going to be like, we want you because we feel 281 00:14:53,880 --> 00:14:56,640 Speaker 1: like you can do that. And so it becomes challenging 282 00:14:56,720 --> 00:15:00,520 Speaker 1: and sometimes I create more work for myself my team 283 00:15:00,560 --> 00:15:03,440 Speaker 1: because I don't say no. I say, well, we can't 284 00:15:03,480 --> 00:15:06,680 Speaker 1: do that, but okay, how about if we do this 285 00:15:06,760 --> 00:15:09,840 Speaker 1: and we'll start here, And so it creates more work, 286 00:15:09,920 --> 00:15:13,400 Speaker 1: but it also creates more opportunity. And so it's just 287 00:15:13,480 --> 00:15:17,160 Speaker 1: something that you know, I want unlimited resources, but we 288 00:15:17,160 --> 00:15:20,080 Speaker 1: don't have unlimited resources, believe it or not. I have 289 00:15:20,120 --> 00:15:23,800 Speaker 1: to fundraise all these projects that I'm talking about. There's 290 00:15:23,840 --> 00:15:26,560 Speaker 1: not just some magical person writing a check. I have 291 00:15:26,640 --> 00:15:29,280 Speaker 1: to go out in fundraise and the Lakers allow me 292 00:15:29,320 --> 00:15:32,400 Speaker 1: to use one hundred percent of what I raise to 293 00:15:32,400 --> 00:15:35,800 Speaker 1: put back into the community. So they're extremely generous. They 294 00:15:35,840 --> 00:15:39,200 Speaker 1: take care of all of our overhead and administrative costs, 295 00:15:39,240 --> 00:15:41,280 Speaker 1: so we don't have to worry about that. But it 296 00:15:41,520 --> 00:15:44,360 Speaker 1: behooves me and it's in my best interests to go 297 00:15:44,440 --> 00:15:57,160 Speaker 1: out there and make money for the foundation. You've opened 298 00:15:57,280 --> 00:16:00,760 Speaker 1: up many boys and girls clubs talk. Can we talk 299 00:16:00,840 --> 00:16:03,320 Speaker 1: about that? Sure? Because that I think that's awesome to 300 00:16:03,400 --> 00:16:05,120 Speaker 1: say that you not just open one, but you go 301 00:16:05,120 --> 00:16:08,360 Speaker 1: open many. Yes. So one of my favorites. And I'll 302 00:16:08,360 --> 00:16:10,280 Speaker 1: probably get in trouble for this, but I have to 303 00:16:10,280 --> 00:16:13,400 Speaker 1: say it. It's historical Challengers Boys and Girls Club in 304 00:16:13,440 --> 00:16:17,120 Speaker 1: South central LA. Challengers has been around for a long 305 00:16:17,160 --> 00:16:21,080 Speaker 1: time and we have a Lakers basketball court there and 306 00:16:21,160 --> 00:16:24,440 Speaker 1: as of last summer, I got purple bleachers in there. 307 00:16:23,800 --> 00:16:27,360 Speaker 1: Something excited about that. Those bleachers were a nightmare. I 308 00:16:27,360 --> 00:16:29,840 Speaker 1: didn't want the kids to get hurt. We have an 309 00:16:29,840 --> 00:16:34,920 Speaker 1: outdoor court. They actually have a dental lab in the 310 00:16:35,000 --> 00:16:37,880 Speaker 1: Boys and Girls club and they take care of the 311 00:16:38,120 --> 00:16:40,040 Speaker 1: youth during the week and on the weekends they open 312 00:16:40,080 --> 00:16:43,280 Speaker 1: it up to the community. They have like a sound 313 00:16:43,320 --> 00:16:47,080 Speaker 1: studio we're working on. I mean, you think about it's 314 00:16:47,200 --> 00:16:51,240 Speaker 1: life changing. It's not just the days when you know 315 00:16:51,280 --> 00:16:53,440 Speaker 1: they were just watching the kids because the parents didn't 316 00:16:53,440 --> 00:16:55,840 Speaker 1: have something to do. We built a STEM lab there 317 00:16:56,240 --> 00:16:59,000 Speaker 1: with our last championship through the NBA, we were able 318 00:16:59,040 --> 00:17:03,080 Speaker 1: to build a STEM lab. So what we're teaching these 319 00:17:03,400 --> 00:17:06,239 Speaker 1: young people at the Boys and Girls Club. It's not 320 00:17:06,280 --> 00:17:10,560 Speaker 1: just sports, it's stem, it's steam, its arts and culture, 321 00:17:10,800 --> 00:17:13,080 Speaker 1: it's all the things that they need to get them 322 00:17:13,160 --> 00:17:16,480 Speaker 1: to college, to get them to their first career. So 323 00:17:16,520 --> 00:17:19,240 Speaker 1: when you think about it, it's not just okay, we're gonna, 324 00:17:19,320 --> 00:17:21,080 Speaker 1: you know, drop our kids off, they're gonna you know, 325 00:17:21,080 --> 00:17:23,920 Speaker 1: play basketball outside for a couple of hours. No, they're 326 00:17:23,920 --> 00:17:27,440 Speaker 1: actually learning and stuff. And especially during the pandemic, it 327 00:17:27,480 --> 00:17:31,440 Speaker 1: was challenging to keep those clubs open, but it was necessary, 328 00:17:31,640 --> 00:17:34,640 Speaker 1: it was really necessary, and it was the only place 329 00:17:34,680 --> 00:17:38,800 Speaker 1: that they could sometimes log onto a computer, the only place. Well, 330 00:17:38,840 --> 00:17:41,600 Speaker 1: I think so often, you know, especially in the communities 331 00:17:41,640 --> 00:17:43,960 Speaker 1: that are underserved, we want them to you know, get 332 00:17:44,000 --> 00:17:45,800 Speaker 1: out of that street life or don't do this, don't 333 00:17:45,800 --> 00:17:47,240 Speaker 1: do that. But then what are we arming them or 334 00:17:47,280 --> 00:17:49,600 Speaker 1: tooling them with when we tell them not to do that? So, 335 00:17:49,680 --> 00:17:53,600 Speaker 1: I mean, things like this are instrumental for the youth. Exactly, 336 00:17:55,480 --> 00:17:59,640 Speaker 1: how do you work with current and pass players when 337 00:17:59,680 --> 00:18:01,800 Speaker 1: you're when you need the guys to support the cause, 338 00:18:01,840 --> 00:18:04,160 Speaker 1: And is it Any's a two question, And is anybody 339 00:18:04,160 --> 00:18:08,160 Speaker 1: that's always available when you call him. It's gonna sound funny, 340 00:18:08,240 --> 00:18:12,400 Speaker 1: but they're almost always available. I mean they love they 341 00:18:12,480 --> 00:18:15,440 Speaker 1: love doing it, you know. And I love working with 342 00:18:15,720 --> 00:18:18,359 Speaker 1: our legends as well as our current players. You know, 343 00:18:18,480 --> 00:18:22,000 Speaker 1: during the season, we're very mindful of the schedule, so 344 00:18:22,040 --> 00:18:24,560 Speaker 1: maybe we don't call on our current players as much 345 00:18:24,920 --> 00:18:27,520 Speaker 1: or we you know, we get them in and out. 346 00:18:27,560 --> 00:18:30,000 Speaker 1: Our legends, Oh my god, it's like a reunion every 347 00:18:30,000 --> 00:18:31,720 Speaker 1: time you see him. You saw him the other night. 348 00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:33,960 Speaker 1: We had dressing rooms set up for all of them. 349 00:18:34,080 --> 00:18:35,720 Speaker 1: Why do they all end up in the same wrestling 350 00:18:37,280 --> 00:18:41,320 Speaker 1: you know, um, And it's like that, literally, I feel 351 00:18:41,359 --> 00:18:45,040 Speaker 1: like I'm working with family. When I first got the promotion, 352 00:18:45,440 --> 00:18:47,960 Speaker 1: I remember coming to a game and James Worthy was 353 00:18:47,960 --> 00:18:50,639 Speaker 1: sitting in like row A and I walked by and 354 00:18:50,680 --> 00:18:53,680 Speaker 1: he was like all hell to the v Like he 355 00:18:53,800 --> 00:18:56,000 Speaker 1: was so happy for me and so excited. He was 356 00:18:56,080 --> 00:18:58,600 Speaker 1: introducing me to people, and I was just like, wow, 357 00:18:58,800 --> 00:19:01,840 Speaker 1: you know, they eat me like a little sister, and 358 00:19:01,920 --> 00:19:04,640 Speaker 1: I really really appreciate that. And they know there isn't 359 00:19:04,640 --> 00:19:07,240 Speaker 1: anything that we wouldn't do for them. And so when 360 00:19:07,280 --> 00:19:10,000 Speaker 1: I call, it's not like it goes a voicemail, you know, 361 00:19:10,040 --> 00:19:12,160 Speaker 1: they answer, or if they text me, I'm like, Okay, 362 00:19:12,200 --> 00:19:13,840 Speaker 1: what do you need, you know what, what can we 363 00:19:13,880 --> 00:19:17,479 Speaker 1: help you to accomplish because they all have, you know, 364 00:19:17,560 --> 00:19:21,119 Speaker 1: their own passions, their own foundations, or charitable efforts that 365 00:19:21,200 --> 00:19:24,240 Speaker 1: they're working on, and we do a lot to support 366 00:19:24,280 --> 00:19:27,840 Speaker 1: those efforts. Love it. In twenty twenty one, you were 367 00:19:27,920 --> 00:19:31,560 Speaker 1: voted Sports Illustrated most one of the most one hundred 368 00:19:31,600 --> 00:19:35,480 Speaker 1: influential Black women in sports. Knowing your journey, knowing where 369 00:19:35,480 --> 00:19:37,679 Speaker 1: you came from, what did that mean to you? That 370 00:19:37,800 --> 00:19:40,439 Speaker 1: meant so much to me, Matt, because I had just 371 00:19:40,480 --> 00:19:44,200 Speaker 1: gotten the promotion a couple of weeks before that, and 372 00:19:44,720 --> 00:19:48,080 Speaker 1: I was like, nobody knows like I was, you know, 373 00:19:48,160 --> 00:19:50,320 Speaker 1: like a little I don't know, taken back. And my 374 00:19:50,359 --> 00:19:53,720 Speaker 1: son was like, Mom, just calm down. You know, it'll happen. 375 00:19:53,800 --> 00:19:55,360 Speaker 1: And I was like, I know, but it was still 376 00:19:55,400 --> 00:19:58,359 Speaker 1: the pandemic, you know, things were different. And one of 377 00:19:58,400 --> 00:20:01,639 Speaker 1: my girlfriends jokingly said, I'm gonna call Sports Illustrate it 378 00:20:01,840 --> 00:20:04,320 Speaker 1: and my son was like, do not do that. Like 379 00:20:04,359 --> 00:20:06,439 Speaker 1: he could just see the wheels turning in our minds, 380 00:20:06,480 --> 00:20:09,159 Speaker 1: you know, and so and we didn't. But then for 381 00:20:09,240 --> 00:20:12,600 Speaker 1: that to happen, um, I was like, oh my god. 382 00:20:12,640 --> 00:20:14,359 Speaker 1: He said, I told you you didn't have to do 383 00:20:14,440 --> 00:20:18,160 Speaker 1: it like it happened, and then for Magic to call 384 00:20:18,560 --> 00:20:21,160 Speaker 1: and for Magic to tweet about it. I was like, 385 00:20:21,240 --> 00:20:26,520 Speaker 1: who needs media when you got magic? Powerful? Powerful? Um, 386 00:20:26,680 --> 00:20:30,040 Speaker 1: Obviously you've been able to have a very successful uh 387 00:20:30,840 --> 00:20:33,920 Speaker 1: business career and and and giving back to the youth. 388 00:20:34,040 --> 00:20:36,960 Speaker 1: But oh why you were a single mom raising young 389 00:20:37,000 --> 00:20:38,600 Speaker 1: a young black man and you've spoke to on your 390 00:20:38,640 --> 00:20:40,040 Speaker 1: son two or three times and every time you speak 391 00:20:40,080 --> 00:20:42,480 Speaker 1: on him you light up. So speak to your guys's relationship, 392 00:20:42,520 --> 00:20:45,000 Speaker 1: your bond, and how tough was getting on you, you know, 393 00:20:45,119 --> 00:20:46,719 Speaker 1: kind of getting your grind to where you are now 394 00:20:46,760 --> 00:20:49,640 Speaker 1: as a single mom. It was definitely not easy, but 395 00:20:50,200 --> 00:20:53,080 Speaker 1: my job was making it look easy. And so, like 396 00:20:53,160 --> 00:20:55,320 Speaker 1: I said, we grew up in south central UM. He 397 00:20:55,359 --> 00:20:58,000 Speaker 1: went to Dorsey High School. UM, not you know, a 398 00:20:58,080 --> 00:21:02,320 Speaker 1: prestigious you know, private school or anything. And while I 399 00:21:02,359 --> 00:21:04,800 Speaker 1: was working in finance, believe it or not, there were 400 00:21:04,800 --> 00:21:07,280 Speaker 1: times when I had to take him to work because 401 00:21:07,359 --> 00:21:10,720 Speaker 1: I didn't have anybody to watch him. And he grew 402 00:21:10,800 --> 00:21:14,520 Speaker 1: up there. Literally I found out I was pregnant a 403 00:21:14,600 --> 00:21:17,520 Speaker 1: couple months after getting that job, and I was so 404 00:21:17,600 --> 00:21:20,080 Speaker 1: afraid back in nineteen ninety four that I was going 405 00:21:20,119 --> 00:21:22,560 Speaker 1: to lose my job, so I had to hide it, 406 00:21:22,760 --> 00:21:25,920 Speaker 1: you know, until like I couldn't hide it anymore. And 407 00:21:25,960 --> 00:21:30,760 Speaker 1: so he literally was almost born at Merrill Lynch. Fast forward. 408 00:21:30,760 --> 00:21:33,560 Speaker 1: I started there at twenty four. Twenty four years later, 409 00:21:33,600 --> 00:21:38,159 Speaker 1: he started at Merrill Lynch as a financial advisor in 410 00:21:38,200 --> 00:21:41,399 Speaker 1: the same office as me. And I'm just like, wow, 411 00:21:41,440 --> 00:21:43,800 Speaker 1: that's how God brings it back full circle. You know. 412 00:21:44,119 --> 00:21:47,439 Speaker 1: He started out much higher than where I started, but 413 00:21:47,600 --> 00:21:49,800 Speaker 1: just those days when I had him in the office, 414 00:21:50,240 --> 00:21:54,440 Speaker 1: you know, it really influenced and impacted his life. And 415 00:21:54,760 --> 00:21:56,960 Speaker 1: now to be able to share the success I have, 416 00:21:57,600 --> 00:21:59,920 Speaker 1: you know, with the Lakers and the things that I'm doing, 417 00:22:00,000 --> 00:22:02,399 Speaker 1: and the reason why he wanted to come today. But 418 00:22:02,480 --> 00:22:06,640 Speaker 1: he's teaching financial literacy at two schools and he said, mom, oh, 419 00:22:06,680 --> 00:22:08,760 Speaker 1: I want to be there, but I really I really 420 00:22:08,800 --> 00:22:11,119 Speaker 1: liked the kids. And I said, well, you go do 421 00:22:11,160 --> 00:22:12,560 Speaker 1: what you gotta do, and I'll do what I have 422 00:22:12,600 --> 00:22:14,560 Speaker 1: to make sure when we film again or look, give 423 00:22:14,600 --> 00:22:16,080 Speaker 1: them the heads of income hang out for the day. 424 00:22:16,119 --> 00:22:18,600 Speaker 1: But that's really, I mean, that's dope because you know, obviously, 425 00:22:18,680 --> 00:22:20,560 Speaker 1: you know Jack and I being in our space and 426 00:22:20,600 --> 00:22:22,639 Speaker 1: we would bring our kids around and they inspire to 427 00:22:22,680 --> 00:22:25,160 Speaker 1: be what we do. So on the flip side, same thing, 428 00:22:25,200 --> 00:22:26,800 Speaker 1: you were bringing him to work and he, you know, 429 00:22:26,800 --> 00:22:28,679 Speaker 1: he aspired to be what his mom was doing. So 430 00:22:28,720 --> 00:22:31,400 Speaker 1: I think that's and it's twenty four and twenty four 431 00:22:31,440 --> 00:22:33,199 Speaker 1: and you know how instrumental that is to the to 432 00:22:33,240 --> 00:22:34,960 Speaker 1: the lake or so it was meant to be. It 433 00:22:35,000 --> 00:22:37,000 Speaker 1: was written, it was written, it was written, and he 434 00:22:37,040 --> 00:22:41,840 Speaker 1: graduated from that program in Beverly Hills as only the 435 00:22:41,920 --> 00:22:44,920 Speaker 1: second black male in the last ten years to graduate 436 00:22:44,960 --> 00:22:48,159 Speaker 1: from that program. Super dope. What else seems to be 437 00:22:48,200 --> 00:22:51,280 Speaker 1: done to have more women, particularly women of color, in 438 00:22:51,359 --> 00:22:55,040 Speaker 1: the forefront of male dominated spaces, and not just in 439 00:22:55,080 --> 00:22:57,919 Speaker 1: the space, but in leadership roles. Do you feel we 440 00:22:58,040 --> 00:23:01,520 Speaker 1: need more advocates? We need more people like you that 441 00:23:01,560 --> 00:23:03,760 Speaker 1: are willing to highlight you know, what it is we're 442 00:23:03,760 --> 00:23:08,400 Speaker 1: doing and why we're important. We need sponsors, meaning when 443 00:23:08,440 --> 00:23:10,560 Speaker 1: I'm not in a room, I need somebody to be 444 00:23:10,600 --> 00:23:14,080 Speaker 1: out there advocating for me or for the next woman, 445 00:23:14,440 --> 00:23:17,360 Speaker 1: and you know, speaking good on our name so that 446 00:23:17,800 --> 00:23:20,720 Speaker 1: you know someone else wants to hire us or promote us. 447 00:23:22,200 --> 00:23:25,280 Speaker 1: It's really important to have male advocates, very important. I 448 00:23:25,280 --> 00:23:29,879 Speaker 1: mean some male dominated you know, field, no matter how 449 00:23:29,960 --> 00:23:32,280 Speaker 1: much we accomplish, we have to acknowledge that. And so 450 00:23:32,400 --> 00:23:35,760 Speaker 1: without a male advocate, it's a little challenging. And then 451 00:23:35,800 --> 00:23:39,960 Speaker 1: as women, we have to also be secure in ourselves 452 00:23:40,400 --> 00:23:44,560 Speaker 1: and not worry about not helping somebody. You can't be 453 00:23:44,600 --> 00:23:46,960 Speaker 1: the only one all the time. And you can't think that, 454 00:23:47,080 --> 00:23:49,160 Speaker 1: oh God, if I help her, it's gonna take away 455 00:23:49,160 --> 00:23:51,800 Speaker 1: from me. What's for you is for you, you know, 456 00:23:52,000 --> 00:23:55,760 Speaker 1: And believe it or not, I've been hurt by more, 457 00:23:56,320 --> 00:23:58,760 Speaker 1: you know, women that looked like me than helped up. 458 00:23:58,800 --> 00:24:01,840 Speaker 1: Unto a certain point, I was helped by more Caucasian 459 00:24:01,960 --> 00:24:06,359 Speaker 1: men than I was anybody else. And that's starting to 460 00:24:06,480 --> 00:24:08,760 Speaker 1: change and I'm happy about that. And so I have 461 00:24:08,800 --> 00:24:10,800 Speaker 1: to make sure I don't do that, I don't fall 462 00:24:10,800 --> 00:24:14,800 Speaker 1: into that track. I want to help the next Keisha Knicks, 463 00:24:14,840 --> 00:24:17,440 Speaker 1: because so many more people can be me than can 464 00:24:17,440 --> 00:24:19,960 Speaker 1: be lebron or there can be Matt Barnes, or it 465 00:24:20,000 --> 00:24:22,560 Speaker 1: can be Steph you know, so many more people. So 466 00:24:22,640 --> 00:24:25,760 Speaker 1: I need to make sure that I'm doing what I'm doing. 467 00:24:25,960 --> 00:24:29,879 Speaker 1: But I'm grooming the next generation. What would you tell 468 00:24:29,920 --> 00:24:31,600 Speaker 1: I mean, obviously you got a lot more to do 469 00:24:31,640 --> 00:24:36,040 Speaker 1: and accomplished. But what would you tell your younger self. Oh, 470 00:24:36,080 --> 00:24:38,240 Speaker 1: I would tell my younger self, you know what, just 471 00:24:39,040 --> 00:24:43,919 Speaker 1: don't listen to society, don't listen to the odds, don't 472 00:24:43,960 --> 00:24:45,920 Speaker 1: become a product of your own vibe. Don't buy into 473 00:24:45,960 --> 00:24:50,120 Speaker 1: the stereotype. You know, Yeah, I'm a single mom. Yes, 474 00:24:50,240 --> 00:24:53,680 Speaker 1: my mom was seventeen when she had me. But that's okay. 475 00:24:53,760 --> 00:24:56,520 Speaker 1: You know, it's not about where you start, and it's 476 00:24:56,520 --> 00:24:58,679 Speaker 1: about where you finished, and it's about the journey along 477 00:24:58,680 --> 00:25:02,280 Speaker 1: the way. And so I think too oftentimes we get discouraged. 478 00:25:02,760 --> 00:25:06,000 Speaker 1: You know, I'm proud I'm fifty three years old, proud 479 00:25:06,080 --> 00:25:08,320 Speaker 1: of my age, and I feel like there's so much 480 00:25:08,320 --> 00:25:10,920 Speaker 1: more that I can do. There was a time when 481 00:25:11,080 --> 00:25:13,680 Speaker 1: people would be like, oh no, it's retirement time. I'm 482 00:25:13,720 --> 00:25:15,760 Speaker 1: like retireing. I got a two or three more careers 483 00:25:15,840 --> 00:25:18,120 Speaker 1: left in me. You know, there's so many more things 484 00:25:18,119 --> 00:25:19,760 Speaker 1: that I want to do. So I would tell my 485 00:25:19,840 --> 00:25:22,040 Speaker 1: younger self that, you know, the sky is the limit 486 00:25:22,080 --> 00:25:24,399 Speaker 1: and it's really about you know, what you make of it. 487 00:25:25,040 --> 00:25:29,320 Speaker 1: You definitely don't get fifty three from me. My son's 488 00:25:29,320 --> 00:25:33,040 Speaker 1: twenty years saying. I'm just saying she don't look fifty three. 489 00:25:33,960 --> 00:25:40,560 Speaker 1: This guy obviously a dream job you're sitting in right now. 490 00:25:40,600 --> 00:25:44,239 Speaker 1: But what is what is your ultimate goal? You know, 491 00:25:44,720 --> 00:25:48,359 Speaker 1: I said that I wanted to run my own foundation, 492 00:25:48,760 --> 00:25:50,280 Speaker 1: and I'm not saying that I don't want to do 493 00:25:50,320 --> 00:25:52,840 Speaker 1: that at some point, but I feel like what I'm 494 00:25:52,880 --> 00:25:56,600 Speaker 1: doing right now is so beneficial. I want to be 495 00:25:56,640 --> 00:25:59,480 Speaker 1: able to take what I'm doing to the next level, 496 00:26:00,240 --> 00:26:03,400 Speaker 1: meaning I want what I'm doing to somehow be able 497 00:26:03,440 --> 00:26:09,919 Speaker 1: to impact minorities in leadership in sports. I want to 498 00:26:09,920 --> 00:26:16,000 Speaker 1: see doors opened for coaches, front office, general managers. I 499 00:26:16,000 --> 00:26:18,600 Speaker 1: don't want it to just stop right here. I don't 500 00:26:18,640 --> 00:26:21,640 Speaker 1: want us to keep having the same conversations on all 501 00:26:21,640 --> 00:26:25,720 Speaker 1: the sports shows about no black coaches in you know whatever, 502 00:26:25,800 --> 00:26:29,159 Speaker 1: the NFL or the NHL or whatever. You know. I 503 00:26:29,280 --> 00:26:32,199 Speaker 1: want to make sure that we're doing what we need 504 00:26:32,280 --> 00:26:34,399 Speaker 1: to do. We have to make sure that everybody is 505 00:26:34,440 --> 00:26:37,960 Speaker 1: equipped and ready be prepared. I had that conversation in 506 00:26:38,000 --> 00:26:41,160 Speaker 1: the car on the way here. Sometimes the opportunity is there, 507 00:26:41,280 --> 00:26:43,440 Speaker 1: but are you ready for the opportunity. So I want 508 00:26:43,440 --> 00:26:45,960 Speaker 1: to make sure that our young people that are coming 509 00:26:46,040 --> 00:26:49,159 Speaker 1: up are qualified and ready, and then make sure that 510 00:26:49,200 --> 00:26:53,200 Speaker 1: those doors get open for them. I love it all right, 511 00:26:53,440 --> 00:26:56,080 Speaker 1: quick hitters. Hopefully this hasn't been too painful for you. 512 00:26:56,240 --> 00:26:58,239 Speaker 1: But quick Cutter's first thing to come to mind. Let 513 00:26:58,280 --> 00:27:04,560 Speaker 1: us know. Five dinner dead or alive? Oh god, Um okay, 514 00:27:05,000 --> 00:27:11,960 Speaker 1: Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Um, Michelle Obama got to bring 515 00:27:12,040 --> 00:27:21,679 Speaker 1: the Obama. There's three, Um, Martin, Luther King and Diana Rossini. 516 00:27:22,000 --> 00:27:24,320 Speaker 1: That's a good one. I'm gonna put you on the 517 00:27:24,320 --> 00:27:31,080 Speaker 1: spot right here. Okay. Five most important Lakers. Oh, this 518 00:27:31,200 --> 00:27:36,600 Speaker 1: question has gotten a lot of people in trouble. Let 519 00:27:36,680 --> 00:27:43,000 Speaker 1: me flip it. You're five favorite players all time, all time. Okay, 520 00:27:43,080 --> 00:27:45,119 Speaker 1: you're starting five of the Lakers. Still gonna get me 521 00:27:45,119 --> 00:27:51,760 Speaker 1: a little trouble, okay, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Lebron James. 522 00:27:53,520 --> 00:28:00,400 Speaker 1: This is when it gets dicey. The rest of time, 523 00:28:04,520 --> 00:28:08,359 Speaker 1: we'll take it. Take it. Stuck on the island, Which 524 00:28:08,400 --> 00:28:12,800 Speaker 1: three shows are movies? You're watching all reality shows, the 525 00:28:12,920 --> 00:28:20,199 Speaker 1: Real Housewives of Everything, every one of their dr and 526 00:28:20,200 --> 00:28:25,000 Speaker 1: feeling the whole DVR. But my son is like, you 527 00:28:25,040 --> 00:28:29,359 Speaker 1: are so ratchet, mama, and I believe watching this um 528 00:28:29,400 --> 00:28:31,679 Speaker 1: and all Law and Order. I watch Law and Order 529 00:28:31,800 --> 00:28:38,400 Speaker 1: every day, all day yeah. Um. Five most influential women 530 00:28:38,400 --> 00:28:45,120 Speaker 1: in sports. Um, she's she's not in sports right now, 531 00:28:45,160 --> 00:28:51,239 Speaker 1: but Robin Roberts hands down, Um, somebody that you know 532 00:28:51,280 --> 00:28:55,640 Speaker 1: I really look up to and admire. Um, gosh, I 533 00:28:55,720 --> 00:28:57,760 Speaker 1: gotta take it back. I gotta say Billy jan King 534 00:28:59,160 --> 00:29:03,080 Speaker 1: another one that I meyer. Um, Genie Buss my boss, 535 00:29:03,200 --> 00:29:09,160 Speaker 1: of course, you know, hands down there. Um, let me 536 00:29:09,200 --> 00:29:13,000 Speaker 1: see Lisa Leslie just for what she has done for 537 00:29:13,040 --> 00:29:17,080 Speaker 1: the w NBA, And then I would round it out 538 00:29:17,160 --> 00:29:19,080 Speaker 1: with don't be afraid to tell yourself in there now 539 00:29:19,160 --> 00:29:23,440 Speaker 1: got Nope, I'm gonna go with Serena. Yeah night Arena 540 00:29:23,440 --> 00:29:24,880 Speaker 1: that we need to get Serena on the show. Go 541 00:29:24,920 --> 00:29:29,520 Speaker 1: ahead messages on the board for inspiring the youth. What 542 00:29:29,560 --> 00:29:31,400 Speaker 1: would it be if you had a billboard to inspire 543 00:29:31,400 --> 00:29:34,280 Speaker 1: the youth? What would that message be? Um? What I 544 00:29:34,280 --> 00:29:37,760 Speaker 1: said earlier, hard work is the great equalizer. All work 545 00:29:37,920 --> 00:29:41,040 Speaker 1: is the great equalizer. If you could have if you 546 00:29:41,040 --> 00:29:43,239 Speaker 1: can see one guest on our show, who would it be? 547 00:29:43,960 --> 00:29:46,320 Speaker 1: But you have to help us get your answer on 548 00:29:46,360 --> 00:29:51,120 Speaker 1: the show. Ooh um, you guys have had so many 549 00:29:51,120 --> 00:29:54,880 Speaker 1: great people on the show. Who would I want to 550 00:29:54,880 --> 00:29:57,760 Speaker 1: see on here? You know? So many great people. I 551 00:29:57,800 --> 00:30:01,880 Speaker 1: do know a lot of good people. Oh god, that's 552 00:30:01,880 --> 00:30:08,280 Speaker 1: a tough one, because you guys can get anybody you 553 00:30:08,320 --> 00:30:11,520 Speaker 1: may think. I mean, I would love to see Oprah, 554 00:30:11,520 --> 00:30:14,680 Speaker 1: but I don't have that power, not yet. You gotta 555 00:30:14,680 --> 00:30:19,360 Speaker 1: be somebody you can help us with. Like, Okay, we'll 556 00:30:19,400 --> 00:30:21,360 Speaker 1: get her. You could come. But I like how she 557 00:30:21,400 --> 00:30:25,400 Speaker 1: said she's I don't have that power yet. Yeah, yeah, coming, yeah, coming, Yeah, 558 00:30:25,440 --> 00:30:30,040 Speaker 1: I think she had. Let's get Robin Roberts. That'd be dope. Really, 559 00:30:30,280 --> 00:30:34,280 Speaker 1: she's a legend. Definitely honored to have her. So well, Keisha, 560 00:30:34,360 --> 00:30:36,080 Speaker 1: We appreciate your time. We know you have a very 561 00:30:36,080 --> 00:30:37,840 Speaker 1: busy day, but thank you for making time for us, 562 00:30:37,840 --> 00:30:39,959 Speaker 1: and we will continue to advocate for not only you, 563 00:30:40,040 --> 00:30:42,120 Speaker 1: but people that look like you and people that look 564 00:30:42,160 --> 00:30:45,000 Speaker 1: like us to continue to open those doors. We appreciate 565 00:30:45,040 --> 00:30:48,520 Speaker 1: what you're doing. Thank you here. This was not painful 566 00:30:48,520 --> 00:30:52,160 Speaker 1: at all. So we talked to other She was a 567 00:30:52,160 --> 00:30:54,960 Speaker 1: little nurse. She's just like, you know, just just like 568 00:30:55,000 --> 00:30:58,960 Speaker 1: a prom We baby, We got her, got you made 569 00:30:58,960 --> 00:31:00,680 Speaker 1: it through unscathed, and then again next time we come. 570 00:31:00,720 --> 00:31:02,520 Speaker 1: Hopefully your son can come hang out and you know, 571 00:31:02,560 --> 00:31:05,320 Speaker 1: if you need me in the community I'm around, so definitely, 572 00:31:05,440 --> 00:31:09,320 Speaker 1: thank you very much, appreciate, thank you, keep leading the way. 573 00:31:09,520 --> 00:31:13,600 Speaker 1: Thank you so much. All the smoke, Keisha Nicks of 574 00:31:13,680 --> 00:31:16,680 Speaker 1: the Los Angeles Lakers. You can catch this on Showtime Basketball, 575 00:31:16,720 --> 00:31:20,040 Speaker 1: YouTube and the iHeart platform Black Effects. We'll see y'all 576 00:31:20,080 --> 00:31:20,480 Speaker 1: next week.