The passing of @chadwickboseman really has me down. I only met him once, at the premiere of 42. And to know that he was just getting started, perfecting his craft, displaying excellence, and gone at such an early age. But in mourning his loss, I’d like to introduce you all to

an amazing man who allowed me to meet Chadwick in the first place. His name is Bob Kendrick @nlbmprez Bob is the president of the Negro League Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri. I met Bob within the first few days of moving to Kansas City to host middays at @610SportsKC

Before I ever made it Kauffman or Arrowhead Stadium, or the Kansas Speedway, Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, etc., I toured the museum. Such a great place to learn about the history and the heroes of the Negro Leagues. And it ended up being perfect timing for me to arrive.

The red carpet premiere of 42, the story of Jackie Robinson was just days away. I attended it the first week of being in town. I met both Chadwick and Harrison Ford that evening. Ex-MLB players were in attendance too. I remember seeing Bobby Bonilla @grandcru5 that night.

It was a nice time. Outstanding movie and you could tell that Chadwick was a rising star. As he answered questions that we had for him, he seemed so confident but also humbled at being the actor that would portray such a legendary figure. The Q&A was so well done at the end.

You knew that he knew what this moment represented. And I think that Black Americans look at Chadwick and feel that he approached all his roles in this manner. I will never forget that about him.

But back to Bob Kendrick. Bob is one of the nicest human beings I’ve ever met in my life. He’s passionate about education, one of the best storytellers I’ve ever heard, loves all sports, so loving and hardworking for the community, and the man that speaks on behalf and preserves

the legacies of Black men who were not initially allowed to play Major League Baseball because of the color of their skin. The Negro League Baseball Museum and @nlbmprez aren’t just icons in what make up part of the story of baseball and Kansas City. They are icons that are

important to American history. I can sit and talk to Bob all day. And when you talk to Bob, you are literally getting stories not only for him, but from his mentor, the great Buck O’Neil. I love those that love our ancestors so much.

I’ve laid out this thread because of the importance of us lifting up our ancestors that made this possible. I almost cried seeing Chadwick’s speech about how Denzel Washington paid his tuition for a summer program while he was a student at @HowardU Man that got me.

But that is what we do. He was battling sickness secretly and giving us Black excellence on the movie screen at the same time. Giving of his time to young children ailing as well.

So when I think of Chadwick Boseman, I will think of Jackie Robinson clearly. He portrayed his life in a movie and in real life passed away on Jackie Robinson day. And when I think of them both, I will always think of the Negro League Baseball Museum and Bob Kendrick.

If you ever want to give back and preserve Black history, please think of donating to the Museum. http://NLBM.com  Chadwick was about lifting up our ancestors and giving young people someone to look up to. Let’s all try and do the same.