Friday, June 19, 2009
Visits from NBA Mega Stars Dwyane Wade and Alonzo Mourning prefaced the Presidential Town Hall

Wade & Mourning As some of the older apprentices were preparing for the Town Hall, the Life Pieces Campus was all a buzz with visits from Dwayne Wade, Alonzo Mourning, and Michael Laas - a dedicated father and business owner from Iowa selected to participate in the day's events. As the guests walked into the room, they were greeted immediately by the sights and sounds of Life Pieces: a group anthem, artistic masterpieces, and some of the most promising young men in Washington D.C. During their visit, Wade, Mourning, and Laas experienced a soul naming ceremony; the symbolic ceremony that symbolizes when an apprentice has mastered the LPTM basics. The honored guests were also given Shields of Faith, and presented with a proclamation by Councilwoman Alexander. "I grew up in the inner-city as well," Wade told the apprentices. "I grew up in Chicago, where there was a lot of violence, a lot of drug use. I decided it wasn't cool for me to do that. So I spent my time playing basketball. I befriended the basketball court. And that became my home away from home." The apprentices gave Wade an honorary soul name of "Righteous Warrior," Mourning was named "Brother Survivor," and Laas was named "Brother Love." Before the men left, Wade raised his right fist in the air to salute them, then went around the circle to shake every apprentices' hand.

Read more on the web: http://www.dwyanewade3.com/news/1-latest-news/204-dwyane-wade-meets-president-obama.html.