While attending the 2012 NCAA Final Four in New Orleans with Buick, Hajj Flemings and myself wanted to visit the Lower 9th Ward to reflect on life, community and New Orleans after hurricane Katrina. Just five miles down the road there was an entire community that was dealing with life after one of the nation’s worst national disasters Hurricane Katrina that took place seven years ago. Buick captured our thoughts as we visited the area.
We felt strongly about telling this story from an outsiders perspective on the weekend of college basketball’s biggest stage. Because telling this story draws the connection between those who are fortunate and those less fortunate; while communicating the importance of giving back when given the opportunity.
During our trip to New Orleans and working with Buick, we also spent time at Dr. Martin Luther King Charter school participating in the Samaritan’s Feet shoe donation that included the “Barefoot Movement”. Samaritans Feet is a non-profit, humanitarian aid organization with a community over 70,000 volunteers. Their mission is to make a difference in the lives of young people by washing their feet, providing them with a new pair of shoes, and inspiring them with a message of hope.
Other activities we took part in along with enjoying the final four games includes: Buick’s Bracket Town, co-hosting the first ever Buick Final Four Social Media Meetup and meeting basketball legends: “The Big O” Oscar Robinson, Howard Garfinkel, Bill Raftery, Shaquille ‘Shaq’ O’Neal and Coach Mike Krzyzewski. Check out some of the photos form our 2012 NCAA Final Four trip so far.
Bill Raftery
legend Howard Garfinkel
Coach Mike Krzyzewski
A big thanks to Tom Shea @tomshea for recording the video.
