"Wilkinson had an opportunity to teach Harding and other students through a series of workshops about how hard work leads to success. "It's a competitive world when it comes to getting jobs. So, being able to separate yourself from the pack and being able to compete, being a competitor, is a valuable lesson," Wilkinson told a group of students in an early session."
"It was set up by the Coach Beam's Legacy Foundation, established by the family of the late, legendary Oakland football coach John Beam, who coached at Skyline and Laney. "You have to be able to see something to want to achieve it. And so, just giving them opportunities and eyes on things they may not have ever thought about, careers they may not haver thought about before," said Sonjha Phillips, Beam's youngest daughter."
"He said his participation is a way of coming back to his roots and helping young student-athletes navigate their future. "I think sometimes you could see being from Oakland as a hardship or challenge to get over. But it is also a blessing, and it's a solid foundation to have, knowing you can navigate those challenges and come out on the other side of it," he said."
One hundred students from Skyline High School and Laney College attended a day-long seminar on Feb. 5 in Oakland. Former NFL players, including Super Bowl winner Gerris Wilkinson, led workshops emphasizing hard work, competition, and career preparation. Sessions covered leadership, financial literacy, mental health, and social justice. The Coach Beam's Legacy Foundation, created by the family of late coach John Beam, organized the event to expose students to new career possibilities and opportunities. Organizers and alumni framed Oakland as both a challenge and a strong foundation. Several students said the event increased their confidence and motivation to pursue goals.
Read at ABC7 San Francisco
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]