The thing that people take for granted in this building – and what I refuse to do – is the access to leaders that are all around. There are member of the Congress and Senate here, celebrities (Jon Voight, for one), and other famous talking heads.
For example, right now, I am looking across from me in my “office”, watching Armstrong Williams trying to catch up on some sleep.
I am sitting beside Roberto Denis, a journalist from Brussels. He comes to this spot everyday; (of course, our 5:30 AM on-ground arrivals beat him here by about 2 hours or so.)
Sean Harrity came past with security, trying to hustle onto an elevator before his show started.
I met one of Tavis Smiley's former classmates - he's here working the Convention as well. So is Tavis.
Same with being on TV. Everyone that seems to go past down Radio Row (which is “down the street” from my “office”) is "somebody."
Being on TV doesn’t mean a thing in and of itself. It means everything when it inspires someone to do the very best that they can do.
I met Jermel when I was a part time employee at the Boys and Girls Club when I came back to school in 2000. He was a middle school student with a kind heart and a desire to learn. He and I got close over the next 6 years while he matriculated through high school and into school on a basketball scholarship. Once he went away, I didn’t hear from him much until I picked up my phone on the way to the parking lot this afternoon and heard...
“PJ!!!!!!”
(My nickname in the ‘hood – started by my mother years ago.)
It’s Jermel, yelling to me and the friends he had in his room.
“I SAW YOU ON BET!!!!”
Wow.
“You are still saying the same things, man.”
“You look good.”
“I’m doing all I can in school, man. Thanks for supporting me.”
“I told my friends, “That’s my boy PJ! He helped me through school! That’s my boy!”
Man, to hear from someone that thanks you for helping him improve this life? That’s the highlight of my week.
God is good all of the time. I am just blessed that He used me to touch Jermel. I’m glad that I got to know that young man. I love him and I want him to strive for the stars.
That phone call put into perspective all of this as I walk down the street: the protesters, their outfits, their catcalls, smashed police cars, etc. Politics is just another tool to do the will of God. At least to me, because of the lives that we impact. I guess that’s why it’s such a shame when it doesn’t work. That’s why people feel so hurt and disenfranchised. That’s why politics becomes personal so fast.
We did NRP today. We did radio for international radio stations. I met a Steeler from the best team ever – the 1970s Steelers. But hearing that I made a difference in someone’s life? That’s the coolest thing that happened today. I just feel blessed that God used me in that capacity. I hope that I continue to find His favor.
