SEEDS OF L.O.V.E. PLANTED AT NFL HEADQUARTERS TO FIGHT RACISM

Our L.O.V.E. Is The Answer team spent Friday at NFL headquarters in New York showing our film “WALKING WHILE BLACK: L.O.V.E. Is The Answer,” and holding meaningful discussions with some NFL executives about racism, racial reconciliation and improving police-community relations. Some of their team and ours got to know each other over dinner on Thursday -- something I highly recommend for any groups or individuals tackling serious issues like these. Having dinner together the night before our work was inspired by Senators Tim Scott of South Carolina and James Lankford of Oklahoma doing "Solution Sundays” — the simple idea of inviting a family of another race over to your home for a meal on Sunday (https://www.cnn.com/2017/03/26/politics/scott-lankford-solution-sundays/index.html). Their efforts were brought to my attention by Jimmy Kemp, President of the Jack Kemp Foundation, which is one of our strategic partners.

On Friday morning, we got down to business and about 40 of us spent a few hours together learning about L.O.V.E. L.O.V.E. is not just a feeling that is warm and fuzzy, the L.O.V.E. Is The Answer Movement has made it actionable. L.O.V.E. is the actionable acronym that means LEARN about each other, OPEN our hearts to each other’s needs, VOLUNTEER to be part of the solution in each other’s life and EMPOWER others to do the same. These principles are what make up a successful team, a viable league and a strong democracy. 

NFL executive Ese Ighedosa, co-founder and co-chair of the Black Engagement Network (BEN) that seeks to enhance the NFL's engagement of its Black employees and the diverse community, spearheaded the amazing gathering of a very enthusiastic group of participants from many different departments within the league office. Panel member Bill Cobb, Deputy Director, ACLU Campaign for Smart Justice, said "The wide divide between communities and law enforcement is negatively impacting American's quality of life. “WALKING WHILE BLACK: L.O.V.E. Is The Answer” serves as a bridge that can hold the weight of the moment. We must use this tool to build unity.”

Troy Vincent, NFL Executive Vice President, was out of town and could not make that screening, however, he personally communicated with me to share his support and encouragement. He had previously seen the film at the Players Coalition's screening of the film at the Pro Bowl. Relations began to develop with the NFL and its players in September, when Congressman Elijah Cummings hosted a screening of our film at the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington D.C. and invited former NFL player Anquan Boldin to join the panel.

I'm excited by the deep personal interest expressed by the members of the NFL staff we spent time with and their desire to incorporate the L.O.V.E. principles in their daily life and to make a difference through their work. We've had similar interactions with members of the Players Coalition and I truly believe if we keep building upon what we've all started together, minds, hearts and communities throughout America will transform and reconcile one to another. 

Our film premiered February 1, 2017. Since its release it has received awards, has had praise heaped upon it by viewers and media, and has been used by Members of Congress, Mayors, Police Chiefs and other leaders to bring people of all backgrounds into a safe space for fruitful, solutions-oriented discussions to take place about racism, institutionalized policies and police brutality in America.

For the past year, we have been busy building our team and a framework for a movement that will lead America and the world into a place of L.O.V.E. We have created several workshop formats, a daylong conference, a book, a 5-minute film contest and other tools that are being used to change minds, transform hearts and bridge differences to build stronger communities.

Martin Luther King Jr. said “People hate each other because they fear each other. They fear each other because they don’t know each other, and they don’t know each other because they don’t communicate with each other, and they don’t communicate with each other because they are separated from each other.”

If people learn to hate each other ultimately because they are separated from each other, then they can learn to love each other if they are purposefully and carefully brought together. L.O.V.E. Is The Answer looks forward to working with groups like the NFL, Players Coalition and others to bring people together, open up healthy dialogue, nurture and support healthy relationships, eradicate fear and love away hate. This is not an issue that we sit back and wait for others to solve. This is an issue that can be dealt with if we all become the solution.

SEE THE FILM NOW AT https://vimeo.com/ondemand/wwb3dayrental  

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FILM at www.walkingwhileblackthemovie.com

JOIN THE MOVEMENT at www.loveistheanswermovement.com