L.E.A.D. Ambassadors Weigh In on Safe at Home Game

L.E.A.D. Ambassador and APD Detective at 4th Annual Safe at Home Game — L.E.A.D. Ambassador Charlestavious Brooks (Senior, Douglass High School) and APD Detective Jacob Fletcher at 4th Annual Safe at Home Game

Desmond Stegall has 15 Ambassadors on his 2019 Safe at Home Game Roster. He recently asked each of them why they want to play in the game. Following are their responses:

L.E.A.D. Ambassadors pose with APD Officer at Atlanta PAL — L.E.A.D. Ambassador Jahad Johnson (Junior, Douglass High School), APD Officer Hiram Fantauzzi, Atlanta Police Athletic League, and L.E.A.D. Ambassadors Devon Clinkscales (Senior, Washington High School)

The friendship that can come from knowing police officers. ~ Charlestavious Brooks (Senior, Douglass High School)
I’ve had encounters with police before so I haven’t looked at them in this manner. ~ Devon Clinkscales (Senior, Washington High School)
I may run into police one day on the street. ~ Kanious Davis (8th grade, Long Middle School)
I’m a black male in Atlanta, I need this relationship. ~ Chase Deloach (Junior, North Atlanta High School)

L.E.A.D. Ambassadors warming up before game — L.E.A.D. Ambassadors Bryce Johnson (Senior, Maynard Jackson High School) and Brandon Ingram (Senior, Maynard Jackson High School) warming up before game

We want to feel safe at home, with the recent tragedies involving black males. ~ Brandon Ingram (Senior, Maynard Jackson High School)
I want get to know the officers. ~ Jahad Johnson (Junior, Douglass High School)
Being a black male in the city of Atlanta, we don’t get the benefit of the doubt so I want to play in this game to get some knowledge on their thought process when encountering black males. ~ Bryce Johnson (Senior, Maynard Jackson High School)

L.E.A.D. Ambassador Tyler Nowell — L.E.A.D. Ambassador Deangelo Nowell (Senior, Maynard Jackson High School)

I had a good time last year, I want to continue my relationship with APD. ~ Jamarri Jones (Sophomore, Douglass High School)
Young men don’t like to engage with the police so I think it’s good we’re doing it through baseball. ~ Deangelo Nowell (Senior, Maynard Jackson High School)

L.E.A.D Ambassadors with Breaking Barriers Camp participants — L.E.A.D. Ambassadors John Phillips, (Sophomore, Douglass High School) and Justin Riddle (Sophomore, Douglass High School) greeting participants at L.E.A.D.’s Breaking Barriers Camp

I want to get to know police officers so I know how to react if I’m caught on the streets. ~ John Phillips (Sophomore, Douglass High School)
To develop relationships. ~ Justin Riddle (Sophomore, Douglass High School)
I want to be aware of how police officers think. ~ MarTavious Smith (Senior, Douglass High School)

L.E.A.D. Ambassador Safe at Home Game player — L.E.A.D. Ambassador Tyler Williams (Senior, Maynard Jackson High School)

I want to play in the game because I didn’t think police officers care about baseball. ~ Quintavious Thornhill (8th grade, Long Middle School)
I thought about being a police officer one day. ~David Wilkinson (8th grade, Young Middle School)
Knowing some of Atlanta policemen enjoy baseball helps me know they’re people too. ~ Tyler Williams (Senior, Maynard Jackson High School)

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