It is finally summertime for real in Milwaukee with all the students out of school. Many of these kids are our future and we need to make things as safe as possible for them. Kids can get in trouble if they do not have constructive things to keep them busy. Kids and basketball are something that can keep them busy and entertained. Mike Taylor is a former NBA player from Milwaukee who is running his summer league for the second time. Mike Taylor and the Taylor Made Foundation’s Annual 4 one 4 all 3 v 3 Safe Summer Basketball League is being conducted at McGovern Park, 5400 N. 51 Blvd, Tuesday and Thursday, July 11 to August 8, 2023, 4pm to 8pm. Mike Taylor was not available today as he was off to the Ice Cube, a 3 on 3 event, that is held every year with former NBA players. He will return in a few days while his mother and sister are managing everything while he is gone.
Kiya Taylor, Program Director, Mike’s older sister, advised this is the second year of the event, with 2021 being the first time. She is excited as the attendance tripled over the first year it was held. She reports Mike wants to give back to the community. Kids need an outlet. She had a tough time getting security to come down to this area. Some people did not want to come down to this area. Volunteers came and stepped up to help out. District Four police officers are driving around to keep an eye on everything. Mental health and yoga are also part of the extra things going on here. Two partners, Health Connection and MKE Black Grassroots Network, are helping. Kiya continues “Basketball is an outlet that helps relieve stress.” It is a family event with healthy walks through the park that will probably start sometime next week.
Carolyn Taylor, Mike’s mother, finance director, these events help the kids to mentally distress. Each week they will have something different. It is important to slow down and learn to breathe. The kids in the league are 5 to 16. They are paired 5 to 8, 9 to 12 and 13 to 16 years of age. Everyone plays no matter what their skill level is. The family has to know the kids are here. They are here 4 to 5 hours so there is lots of water and food to eat during breaks in games. Mike is vegan and wanted the kids to eat fruit in addition to the hot dogs, hamburgers, and other items. OVP, Office of Violence Prevention, has several personnel out here to help monitor the area. There is a nurse on staff in case someone gets hurt and needs medical attention.
I spoke with Deangela Jones, whose 4-year-old son, Kyee Childs-McDaniels, is in this event. She reports her sons love the event, and it helps to network with other mothers to share ideas. I returned the following Tuesday and Mike had returned. He reports this was started after covid after seeing how kids were staying inside and did not have anything to do. He wanted them to have an interaction. Not just sports but wellness for their minds. It goes back to that saying that it takes a village to raise a child. He would like this to be a yearly event.
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