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Last name: Russell drake
Honored game: Orlando Magic vs. Charlotte Hornets (01/24/2021)
Context: Fueled by faith and a passion for empowering others, Drake is straightforward, straightforward and compelling when he says, “To reach community you have to be in community. Definitely true and the words Drake, a native of Gary, Indiana, who moved to Orlando 18 years ago after graduating from Howard University in Washington DC, stands tall every day.
Public speaker, civic strategist and network builder, Drake is part of many local and national organizations, through which he shares his wisdom and inspires others to work hard to achieve their goals. Some of the groups he’s involved with include the African American Chamber of Commerce, the Central Florida Urban League, the Howard University Alumni Association, the National Association of Black Journalists, and the Democratic County Executive Committee. Orange.
Drake, father of a 14 year old daughter and brother of seven siblings, is also a dedicated member of Saint Mark AME Church, where he is active on the Board of Directors (Vice Chairman), Usher Board, Praise Team and Men’s Choir.
“My parents were always donors and did community service,” said Drake, who works as a senior systems engineer at Lockheed Martin Global Training and Logistics. “They almost always said to leave something better than you found, so I always drove to (do) that.”
Make the difference: From his motivational speech to his social media marketing to his creative writing, Drake makes an impact through his diverse skills. Being as versatile as him allows him to extend his reach to many, who are able to learn from him and take the necessary steps to grow and evolve.
With the COVID-19 pandemic hitting so hard, Drake is helping people get through these incredibly difficult times. Educating others about the resources they have available to avoid health complications or economic fallout has been one of Drake’s recent endeavors.
He also recently drove around downtown Orlando distributing blankets to the homeless, which he has also done in the past.
And after: Drake plans to help small businesses get back on their feet in the days, weeks and months to come.
“On the horizon, we continue to invest in the community from an economic point of view, trying to put more emphasis on these local businesses and helping them and changing our discourse to invest money in them. “, did he declare. “Allow them to see that there are opportunities for entrepreneurship. I think economics is the education we need to focus on this year, given the situation we find ourselves in. ”
Working with magic: The Magic’s compassion for the community and his dedication to helping others reach their full potential aligns with Drake’s own beliefs, values and goals, and this motivates him even more to participate in community activities.
“I’m incredibly honored and I still have to think it’s real because I’ve seen the commitment of the Magic organization for two decades that I’m in Orlando, so I think it’s very special, I’m grateful, ”Drake said. “I think there are so many people doing a lot in the community, and you (the Magic) all thought of me as just very special and appreciated.”
The participation of Magic head coach Steve Clifford and the team’s players in community outreach programs is inspiring and shows that they really care about their neighbors.
“I think it’s exceptional for the coach, the players and the whole organization to understand that they are part of the community as a whole,” said Drake. “For him (Clifford) and the entire organization, putting such emphasis on community outreach, and not just for a month or a day, but throughout the year, is exceptional. It is clear to me that the entire Magic organization is a pillar of the community, and it is seen and I think appreciated by all.
About the program: As part of Magic and Clifford’s ongoing efforts to support social justice reform, he created the Social Justice Game Changer program to honor a local leader who has made a difference in social justice issues. A cause close to his heart, Clifford is extremely active in programs that support equality and justice for all people in the Central Florida community.
Through this program, Clifford seeks to shine a light on those who continually do the hard work, day in and day out, to strive for lasting change. As part of its program, one person is selected and honored at each match. The winners receive tickets, provided by Clifford, to the match and presented in the arena on the Magic Vision screen on center court.
“The goal is to honor and celebrate so many people in the Orlando community who are fighting for change and who are committed to making Orlando a better place,” said Clifford. “It’s just a way to celebrate them, what they stand for and what they do for our community.”
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