Community Corner
Stedman Graham and Former Bears Players Encourage Excellence at Barrington High School
As founder of "Athletes Against Drugs" Graham delivers message of identity and leadership.
On Thursday morning, former Chicago Bears tight end, Desmond Clark hoped to leave Barrington High School freshman and sophomores with a message that will stick:
"It's real simple. One, is identity -- you get to choose who you want to be. Two, is leadership, which means inspiring others while building excellence. And three, stay away from drugs. You can't achieve excellence with drugs."
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Clark, along with former Bears linebacker Matt Mayberry, joined author and motivational speaker, Stedman Graham, for a morning of morale boosting in the BHS gym. Clark told the story of his commitment to stay away from drugs.
"I never did any drugs. And the reason is because my father. He was a good man but he fell to the bottom because of drugs. I promised myself never to let that happen to me."
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WMAQ-TV newsman Art Norman, introduced Mayberrry and Clark, who were speaking on behalf of Atheletes Against Drugs (AAD) founded by Graham. As the author of a recent best-selling book entitled, Identity, Your Passport to Success, Graham challenged students to not let others define them.
"People want to put me in a box based on my relationship with Oprah, but I don't let them," Graham said. "You define who you are. Don't let anyone else do that for you."
As the chairman and CEO of S. Graham & Associates, Graham lectures and conducts seminars for organizations around the country. AAD, the Chicago-based organization he founded 27 years ago, aims to improve the lives of youth by instructing them on how to build healthy bodies, strong minds and live a drug-free life.
