September 9, 2025 • 25 mins
Unity Football Classic—
A major cultural and community-centered event taking place in Jacksonville on September 13, 2025.This inaugural weekend will feature Edward Waters University vs. Virginia Union University in a historic HBCU showdown, alongside a full slate of events including a college recruitment fair, tailgate fan fest, live music, and faith-based activations supported by prominent church leaders across the region.
Our goal is to create a citywide cultural moment celebrating HBCU excellence, Black legacy, and community pride!Purchase your tickets at UnityClassic.org
AND
Join the Jacksonville Race for Inclusion! This statewide campaign supports over 75,000 Special Olympics Florida athletes. With every step, you build a better world for people with intellectual disabilities. Run, walk, or volunteer in our 5K Run/Walk at the CSX Campus in downtown Jacksonville on September 13th.
Visit RaceforInclusion.org and register today. Be a champion for the athletes of Special Olympics Florida. Every step matters!
A major cultural and community-centered event taking place in Jacksonville on September 13, 2025.This inaugural weekend will feature Edward Waters University vs. Virginia Union University in a historic HBCU showdown, alongside a full slate of events including a college recruitment fair, tailgate fan fest, live music, and faith-based activations supported by prominent church leaders across the region.
Our goal is to create a citywide cultural moment celebrating HBCU excellence, Black legacy, and community pride!Purchase your tickets at UnityClassic.org
AND
Join the Jacksonville Race for Inclusion! This statewide campaign supports over 75,000 Special Olympics Florida athletes. With every step, you build a better world for people with intellectual disabilities. Run, walk, or volunteer in our 5K Run/Walk at the CSX Campus in downtown Jacksonville on September 13th.
Visit RaceforInclusion.org and register today. Be a champion for the athletes of Special Olympics Florida. Every step matters!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to community viewpoints and Shawnee feeling blessed and highly favored.
On this Sunday morning, we are empowering our community on Unity. Today,
I have Reverend doctor R. B. Holmes Junior here to
talk to us about a Unity Football Classic festival that's
coming to Jacksonville e WU versus Virginia Union University. Sir,
(00:24):
before we talk about the rival game and the football season,
would you please tell us a little bit about yourself
and you know, introduce yourself to the community.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Well, let me thank you, my friends for allowing me
to come on your radio station to talk to the
Jacksonville and surrounding community. And my name is RB. Holmes Junior.
I passed the historic befa missionary Baptist Church in Tylahasse
to Florida. I've been there for thirty nine years. I'm
a native son of Jacksonville, Florida. Finished from the best
(00:54):
high school in Jacksonville, Rains High School, and I passed
the great first team in the Baptist church there for
ten years. And we're doing something that is very meaningful.
We're talking about unity, trying to bring unity back to
the community. And the vision is on September twelfth, will
(01:14):
have a United Family Conference at the Marriott Hotel downtown
where a couples, singles, widows and widow us the whole family.
We'll be talking about family is the foundation, how to
have or have the home, and then we'll celebrate it
on September the thirteenth, that Saturday, at four o'clock at
(01:35):
Edwards Stadium, the Nathan Glover of Football Stadium where the
Edward's University football team will host Virginia Union football team
for Richmond, Virginia. This is in augurl Unity Classic, and
I wanted to bring this to Jacksonville. Jacksonville is a
bold new city that is my home. I was blessed
(01:56):
to play baseball in Jacksonville the Scott Park Ring High
School that went to college on a baseball scholarship. So
I'm just excited about, you know, putting something in Jacksonville,
my hometown. They're going to be invaluable and needed. So
unity does matter, a unity is possible.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
Community welcoming Doctor R. B. Holmes Junior. Two community viewpoints.
Understanding that this is the inaugural Unity Football Classic where
we're going to have two rival matchups, but it's historic
meaning the vision and the why this Unity Classic is
(02:36):
more more than football. It's about celebrating the legacy of
HBCU's faith and community unity. But let's talk about faith, sir,
Since you are an avid doctor and reverend, let's talk
about faith. How can we instill faith in our community
with this event.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
Well, faith is what to fame. The faith is hope,
to never quit, never give up. Faith is what moved
us from negativity to be positive. Faith can take us
from the spirit of disunity to the spirit of unity. Faith, family,
fellarship equals a strong future. And we're using football as
(03:18):
a metaphor to say that agencus matter. We're talking about
Edwaters University that was became alive in eighteen sixty six,
organized by the Amme Church, that was by faith at
eighteen sixty six a vision to start a Christian college.
(03:42):
Here we are now celebrating that history because of faith.
And also Virginia Union, a Baptist school was organized in
eighteen sixty five. It's faith, our faith that gave us
the energy at the insight the vision say that our
people can rise to that level of expectation. And then
(04:04):
Bethel Church in Tallahasset, which is organized in this ministry
was organized in eighteen seventies. So my platform as the
faith is now faith is the substant thing hopeful and
the evidence of thing not seen. That's faith, believe, achieved,
(04:24):
received and never be deceived. We're can achieve. We don't
allow folks to tell us what we cannot become. So
the Football Classic is to honor our history, our heritage
with hope to understand that a divided community is a
weak community, but a unified community is a strong community. Also,
(04:49):
my friend, on Friday, September twelfth, will be honoring men
and women of this community, jackson community who have been
trailblazers as relates to living a life of unity and
an engaging community to elevate units. Such people as the
Mayor of Jacksonville, Donna Deegan, will be honor now Donnelle Smith,
(05:12):
President of Florida Blue Missus, Samuel Nuby, former president of
City Council, bish and Ruinlph Machissick ninet eight years old,
Patsy Marys of the Bestistution of Church, Reverend Fred Newbill
of First timis the church elder, Elizabeth Gates residing the
elder and so we're talking about saying this community to
(05:32):
say our young people that you can make it. You
are somebody and you got to believe in yourself. And
so to bring young folks into that stadium on September
thirteenth at four o'clock PM, two powerful universities, powerful churches
coming together to say yes we can and yes we will.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
Community Shawnie speaking to Reverend doctor R. B. Holmes Junior,
here to empower us with his voice, his vision, the
goal to establish a new Jacksonville tradition that uplifts culture,
education and athletic excellence. Sir, your vision is clear in
your voice today it is heard throughout Jacksonville and everyone
(06:14):
listening on this radio platform. I also want to just
thank you for believing in Jacksonville. You know, we have
to believe in our own city for others to see
that we believe in where we are from. I am
not from the city, but I love Jacksonville and there
are some powerful people, and you started.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
With Donna Deagan. Mayor Donna Deagan.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
She is paving the way, She is changing and pivoting
when she can to ensure that all communities in Jacksonville
are shown love.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
Also left out the former share of the first black
shaf in Duval County. Doctor Nathaniel Gloves also be honored
that he's a former president of at Water University, So
can't miss out, can't leave them to share your glove.
So you're right, my dear friend, it's going to be
a historic moment. It's going to be a healing moment,
(07:07):
and it's going to be a hopeful moment. And thank
you for blessing me with the opportunity to share your
dynamic audience.
Speaker 3 (07:14):
Well, sir, your voice is powerful.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
I did a little Google on you, and it seems
as if you've been a trailblazer understanding that you have
some quotes that I really love. The best day and
never give up. Reading your write up on Google, those
are the two things that caught my eye about you,
(07:37):
and I wanted to thank you for those words, because
every day is the best day and we should never
give up. Because we are in a community of love,
a community of unity. So community, be sure to get
to the inaugural Unity Football Classic. It starts Friday, September twelfth.
The football game is Saturday, September thirteenth at the Nathaniel
(08:00):
Glover Community Field and Stadium right here in Jacksonville. Where
Edward Waters University Tigers and the Virginia Union University Panthers
will go head to head. Sir, I want to thank
you for this vision. Understand it's the inaugural and you
are a part of this inaugural push. So you are
(08:20):
a pivot in our society. You are a pilot in
things that we are doing. So it is my pleasure
to speak with you today. Is there anything that you'd
like to share with the community. It's a Sunday morning
and you are a preacher.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Praise God from all blessings flowed my friend. Thank you
for your voice, your vision, and your value. So may
God bless you, your family and the bold New City Jacksonville, Florida.
I think that we're living in some challenging times and
I think that the way we are able to overcome
to begin to talk about how do we elevate units
(08:59):
to how do we encourage unity, and how do we
elevate unity. Last Sunday, August the thirty first and first
Hymn the Baptist Church at five o'clock, my friend, over
six hundred people came to the first semnly Baptist Church.
It was United Sunday where we on a twenty plus
pastors who've been in the ministry for forty plus years.
(09:24):
Six hundred people showed up to say that those pastors,
we thank you. And our mission was to say the
men and women with served given forty plus years in
ministry that we want to say thank you for your vision,
for your love, for your compassion, for your sense of somebodyness,
(09:47):
and for letting us know that we can be somebody unique. Also,
I want to thank doctor Faithson, that the President of
Water University, for his commitment and leadership for allowing us
to host this an augural event on the sacred campus
of Elwater's University. Again, my mother finished from Evil Waters,
(10:13):
my sisters finished from Evil Waters, many and my friends
finished for Elwaters University serving on that board of trustees.
It is a great fun I've seen us go from
Elverwater's College to Elwater's University. I've witnessed the largely graduated
class this past May in almost twenty five years, but
(10:34):
close to three hundred students MAMAR to get their degrees
to Edward's University's on the rise. And my friend to
be a part of this network, to be part of
this coalition to save that unity does matter, and the
Bible says, since Sunday morning, the Bible says and saw
one thirty three Verse one, behold how good and president
(10:56):
is for brothers and sisters to dwell to gel in unity.
And since it is spend in the morning. The last
prayer that Jesus prayed, and see a praying and said
Saint John the seventeenth chapter where Jesus said, I'm praying
that there'll be one like we are, one of the
Father's son in holy spirit. And once we become one,
(11:16):
the world will know that Jesus sent us to be
his ambassadors for peace, love, unity and joy. So that's
my story. I believe in hope, I believe in unitsy
and I just pray. Everyone listening to me and says,
I must attend this inaugful Football Classic on September thirteen
(11:38):
to four o'clock. Go go to Unity Classic doctor or
or Orge. It'll give you information as relates to Hi
the person tickets. Also, that Friday, September twelfth, at six
or nine, six or nine o'clock at the Merrit Downtown,
we'll have our couples, singles, widows, widowers come well with
(12:01):
sands of people, family, is the foundation how to have
the happy Foundly, we have tremendous leaders that are going
to participate. McLoughlin, Bish mckisick, doctor Cynthia Smith, doctor Nathan Glover.
We have some of the best men and women that'll
be with us during this two days and a half
of a family conference, calling it the Family Unity Conference.
Speaker 1 (12:24):
Community Shawnee speaking to Reverend doctor RB Holmes Junior this
morning talking about how we can have a community impact.
HBCUs have been the heart of leadership education service for generations.
The Unity Classic, the inaugural Unity Classic is designed to
inspire young people, showcase culture, create pride in our city
(12:49):
and of course grow into Jacksonville's tradition to create rivalry
major HBCU classics across the country. So be a part
of this inaugural ball Unity Fest. It's a call to action.
All the information is on our website, so you can
go on our website, mister Holmes said, you can go
to Unityclassic dot org to get those tickets. Understand ESPN
(13:15):
will be there River City Live on site and we
will also have iHeart Promo live on site too, So
understand it's going to be energetic, it's going to be
one that is family oriented, but it's going to create
unity in this bowl city. So thank you so much,
Reverend doctor RB. Holmes Junior, for your voice today and
your push to call to action so that we can
(13:37):
rise to the occasion and keep the hbc US doing strong,
powerful work encouraging our community to be unified.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
So thank you well again. Thank you for your kindness,
and thank you for allowing me to spend a few
moments with you and your audience. May God bless you,
and may God bless all your audience and make God
bliss Jacksonville, Florida. I love my home, I love this
state of Florida, and I love this nation. God bless
you all.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
And Radio Layers and we're back with Community Viewpoints. Shawnee
speaking to Damon McNeil. He is here from the Special
Olympics Florida, a regional director for Northwest Region and Northeast Region.
Good morning, Damian, how are you doing today?
Speaker 4 (14:23):
Good morning, I'm doing well.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
It's a great day when you can help the community
and empower the community. Before we talk about the Special
Olympics Florida, just share a little bit about yourself to
the community and welcome to community.
Speaker 3 (14:37):
Viewpoints.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
Damien, my name is Damian.
Speaker 4 (14:39):
I am the regional director for the Northwest and Northeast,
so I support the team's operations, all the athletes volunteers
across the entire North Florida essentially from Pensacola through Jacksonville
and then down to Felusia County.
Speaker 3 (14:55):
And Damien, talk to us and tell us how long
have you been in this position.
Speaker 4 (14:58):
I've been in this position for seven years now and
I have supported Special Olympics in various capacities starting from
about twenty thirteen.
Speaker 3 (15:09):
Community Shawnnie speaking to Damian McNeil.
Speaker 1 (15:12):
He is here to talk to us about the Special
Olympics Florida and iHeart has wrapped our hearts around this event. Damian,
if you would tell the folks in the Jacksonville area
about the upcoming Jacksonville Race for Inclusion that's taking place
September thirteenth at the CSX campus in downtown Jacksonville.
Speaker 4 (15:31):
This event, it's a five k walk run at the
downtown campus with CSX in Jacksonville, and the event is
really more than a fundraiser. It is a fundraiser, but
it's really more than that. So for us, it helps
us get the word out about all of the great
things that Special Olympics Florida does in the community, how
(15:54):
it supports the athletes, but it is also a fun
day to come out and just exercise and get the
meet some athletes and meet some fellow community minded people.
It's going to be a really fun day. So September thirteenth,
opening ceremonies are at eight thirty, the race is going
to start at nine. It's just going to be a
really really fun day.
Speaker 1 (16:14):
You know, getting out and supporting and getting some exercise
in is always something fun to do on the weekend
or on a Saturday morning. Damian, I understand that this
is the fifth year, so you're celebrating a milestone.
Speaker 4 (16:26):
Yeah, five years, which I think just goes back to
our consistency in the community and really our partnership too
with CSX and how much they've supported us and the
great partners like iHeartMedia supporting us with our awareness campaigns
and just getting out in the community. But I think
what it really shows is just how much the community
(16:48):
has embraced Special Explorida and vice versa.
Speaker 1 (16:51):
The race for inclusion community A five k walk run.
You don't have to run, you can walk and empower
a community. As they may said, it is a fundraiser,
So we need everyone to join in and just see
what this is all about. Dayman, if you would talk
to us about the programs in Northeast Florida and around
the state that helped the Special Olympics Florida.
Speaker 4 (17:13):
So across the state, we have seventy five thousand participants
within our programs, that school programming, our community based programming
across over twenty sports now that we support in the
state of Florida in the north east area, so in
Duval County specifically, we have over four thousand participants. So
(17:35):
fundraising obviously critical to what we do and in supporting
those efforts that we have in the Duval area. So
in Jacksonville, right, four thousand athletes costs a lot of
money for us to make that operate. We do need
your support. Please go to Racefoinclusion dot org and sign
(17:55):
up for the race we hope to see out there
next week. And what that will help us do is
provide the sports, by the equipment, by the uniforms to
help us. One other thing that I think people don't
know that we do that I think is really really
important and maybe one of the most important things that
we do is we provide critical access to healthcare screenings
(18:17):
for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. So Special and
Mixed internationally is the number one provider of that of
healthcare screenings for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. So
what that means is that we know that this population
already struggles with access to healthcare screenings and gaining access
to healthcare, and so what we do is we help
(18:39):
bridge that gap. So at our competitions, we enlist and
have a lot of doctor volunteers who are doctors provide
these screenings at the competitions. So what happens is, since
our athletes are already going to be there, we bring
the doctors to them so that they can get access
to these critical screenings. It's really really critical what we
(19:00):
do because we believe that healthy athletes are better athletes,
and better athletes are healthy athletes, So we want to
be sure that we're supporting the whole athlete, not just
the sports themselves.
Speaker 1 (19:11):
Community Shawnee speaking to Damian McNeil, Regional director of Northwest
and Northeast Region, here to talk to us about the
Special Olympics Florida, and I just love the title Race
for Inclusion. Everybody understanding that we are a society, we
are a community, and everybody should be included. So community
(19:31):
Race for Inclusion is a statewide event that raises funds
to help provide sports training and competition, critical health services,
as well as life changing leadership programs. And you have
to understand with this community of people, love is also
what we need. So community, wrap your hearts around this
(19:52):
event again on Saturday, September the thirteenth Race for Inclusion, Jacksonville.
And you mentioned CSX as being downtown and that's where
it's going to be one of the partners, correct.
Speaker 4 (20:02):
Correct, Yeah, So CSX has just come through year after
year and supported this event. We couldn't be more grateful
for their support.
Speaker 1 (20:10):
And of course, if you know, life happens and people
cannot make this event, you are always looking for donations.
If you would, Damien, provide that website again so that
the community can either you know, support by just fundraising
and or being there.
Speaker 4 (20:26):
Absolutely so Rate for Inclusion dot org. And one of
the great ways that you can support this event is
by creating a team, So you can create a team
on there, share it on social media, get your family,
get your friends, get your church, get your community to
support this event. You can sign up and share it
on social media and say, you know, I started a
(20:48):
team to support Special Olympics Florida and I'd love your
help in that effort. So a lot of great ways
to support. Go on that website, make a team, and
you can raise funds. Although the event is on September thirteenth,
you can raise funds all the way through the end
of the year. This will be an annual event, so
you know, we hope that you'll come back and create
a team again next year and continue to support.
Speaker 1 (21:10):
Well, we want to continue the love here at iHeart.
So thank you Damian for being a part of community viewpoints.
I see here that on September thirteenth, what can they expect?
Registration opens at seven am and they can register day
of correct, they.
Speaker 4 (21:23):
Can register the day of absolutely. Yeah, So you're going
to show up, We're going to have music, we're going
to have you know, just a lot of fun before
the event. After the event, you're going to meet a
lot of people in your community who are also community
minded people and just want to support a great cause.
So I think what you can expect. It's just a
lot of camaraderie and.
Speaker 1 (21:43):
Just a great time and they lace up join us
for this incredible movement. Every step matters. I am excited
just because of the inclusion, just because we are doing
things to build a well rounded community and the Special
Olympics Florida community deserves everyone's support. Damian, thank you so
(22:04):
much for your time today, Thank you for your energy,
and is there anything else that you'd like to share
with the community about Special Olympics Florida.
Speaker 4 (22:12):
When I think of Special Olympics Florida, I think of
building bridges and for this population specifically, so for the
special needs population. It's so important. We know that this
population has has a generally difficult time gaining access to
things that you and I maybe take for granted. And
(22:35):
so when I think of Speciallympics, I think of us
as kind of bridge builders and a conduit between this
population and the greater community at large. So every dollar matters.
Every you know, moment that we can spend with with
people like iHeartMedia and with partners like CSX just gives
us the ability to like extrapolate that across the community.
(22:59):
So it's so it's so critical. These events are so
critical for us and for this population. So just thank
you CSAX, thank you iHeartMedia so much for your support.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
Well, thank you for your drive and energy and being
a part of this amazing event. And also community, right,
we often fall into places and sometimes it's the greatest
fit because of our energy. I appreciate you being on
community viewpoints, allowing everyone to lift their voice and express
themselves and share their passion. And you can hear that
(23:29):
passion about the special Olympics Florida in your voice, Damien,
So thank you so much for being a part of
the Show Today community. If you want to get to
the information, it's also on our website here at iHeart
on the community calendar page.
Speaker 3 (23:44):
So get involved. Remember every step matters.
Speaker 4 (23:49):
Thank you, Damien, Thank you Shannie.
Speaker 3 (23:51):
Is there anything Damien that you'd like to say.
Speaker 4 (23:53):
I really appreciate the time. I've been doing this a
long time, and I just love the mission.
Speaker 1 (23:57):
I can hear it in your voice and I love
helping people deliver the mission. So I am here as
a servant to serve as well.
Speaker 2 (24:03):
So well, what you do is a big deal.
Speaker 4 (24:05):
It helps us spread the word and you know, hopefully
we can touch more hearts and hopefully we can get
more athletes out here. Right at the end of the day,
that's what we want. We want more athletes. You know,
my favorite and least favorite thing in the world is
getting a phone call from either a parent or an
athlete who's thirty years old who said I've never participated.
When I hear that, there's two thoughts, two conflicting thoughts.
(24:26):
The first is I've had the opportunity right to participate
for twenty years and haven't. But also I get to
show them the joy right the first time they get
to go participate, So it's kind of a little bittersweet.
I know what we've missed out on, but I also
know what we get to, what we get to give
them and show them for hopefully the rest of their lives.
So it's you know, it's kind of a cool moment,
(24:48):
but a little bittersweet. I would say anything we can
do to recruit more athletes, get more athletes involved, get
more families involved. You know, I'm all for whatever that
looks like.
Speaker 1 (24:58):
Thank you so much, Jamien, Thanks Shot, Thank you so
much for listening to community viewpoints. Be sure to check
out both events on our community calendar page, the Unity
Football Classic Fest, family oriented coming to Edward Waters University,
and of course the Special Olympics Florida event coming on
September thirteenth. You can check out our community calendar page
(25:20):
get involved, stay involved, and be empowered. On this Sunday morning,
Thank you once again for listening to community viewpoints.
Speaker 3 (25:27):
Be blessed.
Welcome to community viewpoints and Shawnee feeling blessed and highly favored.
On this Sunday morning, we are empowering our community on Unity. Today,
I have Reverend doctor R. B. Holmes Junior here to
talk to us about a Unity Football Classic festival that's
coming to Jacksonville e WU versus Virginia Union University. Sir,
(00:24):
before we talk about the rival game and the football season,
would you please tell us a little bit about yourself
and you know, introduce yourself to the community.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Well, let me thank you, my friends for allowing me
to come on your radio station to talk to the
Jacksonville and surrounding community. And my name is RB. Holmes Junior.
I passed the historic befa missionary Baptist Church in Tylahasse
to Florida. I've been there for thirty nine years. I'm
a native son of Jacksonville, Florida. Finished from the best
(00:54):
high school in Jacksonville, Rains High School, and I passed
the great first team in the Baptist church there for
ten years. And we're doing something that is very meaningful.
We're talking about unity, trying to bring unity back to
the community. And the vision is on September twelfth, will
(01:14):
have a United Family Conference at the Marriott Hotel downtown
where a couples, singles, widows and widow us the whole family.
We'll be talking about family is the foundation, how to
have or have the home, and then we'll celebrate it
on September the thirteenth, that Saturday, at four o'clock at
(01:35):
Edwards Stadium, the Nathan Glover of Football Stadium where the
Edward's University football team will host Virginia Union football team
for Richmond, Virginia. This is in augurl Unity Classic, and
I wanted to bring this to Jacksonville. Jacksonville is a
bold new city that is my home. I was blessed
(01:56):
to play baseball in Jacksonville the Scott Park Ring High
School that went to college on a baseball scholarship. So
I'm just excited about, you know, putting something in Jacksonville,
my hometown. They're going to be invaluable and needed. So
unity does matter, a unity is possible.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
Community welcoming Doctor R. B. Holmes Junior. Two community viewpoints.
Understanding that this is the inaugural Unity Football Classic where
we're going to have two rival matchups, but it's historic
meaning the vision and the why this Unity Classic is
(02:36):
more more than football. It's about celebrating the legacy of
HBCU's faith and community unity. But let's talk about faith, sir,
Since you are an avid doctor and reverend, let's talk
about faith. How can we instill faith in our community
with this event.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
Well, faith is what to fame. The faith is hope,
to never quit, never give up. Faith is what moved
us from negativity to be positive. Faith can take us
from the spirit of disunity to the spirit of unity. Faith, family,
fellarship equals a strong future. And we're using football as
(03:18):
a metaphor to say that agencus matter. We're talking about
Edwaters University that was became alive in eighteen sixty six,
organized by the Amme Church, that was by faith at
eighteen sixty six a vision to start a Christian college.
(03:42):
Here we are now celebrating that history because of faith.
And also Virginia Union, a Baptist school was organized in
eighteen sixty five. It's faith, our faith that gave us
the energy at the insight the vision say that our
people can rise to that level of expectation. And then
(04:04):
Bethel Church in Tallahasset, which is organized in this ministry
was organized in eighteen seventies. So my platform as the
faith is now faith is the substant thing hopeful and
the evidence of thing not seen. That's faith, believe, achieved,
(04:24):
received and never be deceived. We're can achieve. We don't
allow folks to tell us what we cannot become. So
the Football Classic is to honor our history, our heritage
with hope to understand that a divided community is a
weak community, but a unified community is a strong community. Also,
(04:49):
my friend, on Friday, September twelfth, will be honoring men
and women of this community, jackson community who have been
trailblazers as relates to living a life of unity and
an engaging community to elevate units. Such people as the
Mayor of Jacksonville, Donna Deegan, will be honor now Donnelle Smith,
(05:12):
President of Florida Blue Missus, Samuel Nuby, former president of
City Council, bish and Ruinlph Machissick ninet eight years old,
Patsy Marys of the Bestistution of Church, Reverend Fred Newbill
of First timis the church elder, Elizabeth Gates residing the
elder and so we're talking about saying this community to
(05:32):
say our young people that you can make it. You
are somebody and you got to believe in yourself. And
so to bring young folks into that stadium on September
thirteenth at four o'clock PM, two powerful universities, powerful churches
coming together to say yes we can and yes we will.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
Community Shawnie speaking to Reverend doctor R. B. Holmes Junior,
here to empower us with his voice, his vision, the
goal to establish a new Jacksonville tradition that uplifts culture,
education and athletic excellence. Sir, your vision is clear in
your voice today it is heard throughout Jacksonville and everyone
(06:14):
listening on this radio platform. I also want to just
thank you for believing in Jacksonville. You know, we have
to believe in our own city for others to see
that we believe in where we are from. I am
not from the city, but I love Jacksonville and there
are some powerful people, and you started.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
With Donna Deagan. Mayor Donna Deagan.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
She is paving the way, She is changing and pivoting
when she can to ensure that all communities in Jacksonville
are shown love.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
Also left out the former share of the first black
shaf in Duval County. Doctor Nathaniel Gloves also be honored
that he's a former president of at Water University, So
can't miss out, can't leave them to share your glove.
So you're right, my dear friend, it's going to be
a historic moment. It's going to be a healing moment,
(07:07):
and it's going to be a hopeful moment. And thank
you for blessing me with the opportunity to share your
dynamic audience.
Speaker 3 (07:14):
Well, sir, your voice is powerful.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
I did a little Google on you, and it seems
as if you've been a trailblazer understanding that you have
some quotes that I really love. The best day and
never give up. Reading your write up on Google, those
are the two things that caught my eye about you,
(07:37):
and I wanted to thank you for those words, because
every day is the best day and we should never
give up. Because we are in a community of love,
a community of unity. So community, be sure to get
to the inaugural Unity Football Classic. It starts Friday, September twelfth.
The football game is Saturday, September thirteenth at the Nathaniel
(08:00):
Glover Community Field and Stadium right here in Jacksonville. Where
Edward Waters University Tigers and the Virginia Union University Panthers
will go head to head. Sir, I want to thank
you for this vision. Understand it's the inaugural and you
are a part of this inaugural push. So you are
(08:20):
a pivot in our society. You are a pilot in
things that we are doing. So it is my pleasure
to speak with you today. Is there anything that you'd
like to share with the community. It's a Sunday morning
and you are a preacher.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Praise God from all blessings flowed my friend. Thank you
for your voice, your vision, and your value. So may
God bless you, your family and the bold New City Jacksonville, Florida.
I think that we're living in some challenging times and
I think that the way we are able to overcome
to begin to talk about how do we elevate units
(08:59):
to how do we encourage unity, and how do we
elevate unity. Last Sunday, August the thirty first and first
Hymn the Baptist Church at five o'clock, my friend, over
six hundred people came to the first semnly Baptist Church.
It was United Sunday where we on a twenty plus
pastors who've been in the ministry for forty plus years.
(09:24):
Six hundred people showed up to say that those pastors,
we thank you. And our mission was to say the
men and women with served given forty plus years in
ministry that we want to say thank you for your vision,
for your love, for your compassion, for your sense of somebodyness,
(09:47):
and for letting us know that we can be somebody unique. Also,
I want to thank doctor Faithson, that the President of
Water University, for his commitment and leadership for allowing us
to host this an augural event on the sacred campus
of Elwater's University. Again, my mother finished from Evil Waters,
(10:13):
my sisters finished from Evil Waters, many and my friends
finished for Elwaters University serving on that board of trustees.
It is a great fun I've seen us go from
Elverwater's College to Elwater's University. I've witnessed the largely graduated
class this past May in almost twenty five years, but
(10:34):
close to three hundred students MAMAR to get their degrees
to Edward's University's on the rise. And my friend to
be a part of this network, to be part of
this coalition to save that unity does matter, and the
Bible says, since Sunday morning, the Bible says and saw
one thirty three Verse one, behold how good and president
(10:56):
is for brothers and sisters to dwell to gel in unity.
And since it is spend in the morning. The last
prayer that Jesus prayed, and see a praying and said
Saint John the seventeenth chapter where Jesus said, I'm praying
that there'll be one like we are, one of the
Father's son in holy spirit. And once we become one,
(11:16):
the world will know that Jesus sent us to be
his ambassadors for peace, love, unity and joy. So that's
my story. I believe in hope, I believe in unitsy
and I just pray. Everyone listening to me and says,
I must attend this inaugful Football Classic on September thirteen
(11:38):
to four o'clock. Go go to Unity Classic doctor or
or Orge. It'll give you information as relates to Hi
the person tickets. Also, that Friday, September twelfth, at six
or nine, six or nine o'clock at the Merrit Downtown,
we'll have our couples, singles, widows, widowers come well with
(12:01):
sands of people, family, is the foundation how to have
the happy Foundly, we have tremendous leaders that are going
to participate. McLoughlin, Bish mckisick, doctor Cynthia Smith, doctor Nathan Glover.
We have some of the best men and women that'll
be with us during this two days and a half
of a family conference, calling it the Family Unity Conference.
Speaker 1 (12:24):
Community Shawnee speaking to Reverend doctor RB Holmes Junior this
morning talking about how we can have a community impact.
HBCUs have been the heart of leadership education service for generations.
The Unity Classic, the inaugural Unity Classic is designed to
inspire young people, showcase culture, create pride in our city
(12:49):
and of course grow into Jacksonville's tradition to create rivalry
major HBCU classics across the country. So be a part
of this inaugural ball Unity Fest. It's a call to action.
All the information is on our website, so you can
go on our website, mister Holmes said, you can go
to Unityclassic dot org to get those tickets. Understand ESPN
(13:15):
will be there River City Live on site and we
will also have iHeart Promo live on site too, So
understand it's going to be energetic, it's going to be
one that is family oriented, but it's going to create
unity in this bowl city. So thank you so much,
Reverend doctor RB. Holmes Junior, for your voice today and
your push to call to action so that we can
(13:37):
rise to the occasion and keep the hbc US doing strong,
powerful work encouraging our community to be unified.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
So thank you well again. Thank you for your kindness,
and thank you for allowing me to spend a few
moments with you and your audience. May God bless you,
and may God bless all your audience and make God
bliss Jacksonville, Florida. I love my home, I love this
state of Florida, and I love this nation. God bless
you all.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
And Radio Layers and we're back with Community Viewpoints. Shawnee
speaking to Damon McNeil. He is here from the Special
Olympics Florida, a regional director for Northwest Region and Northeast Region.
Good morning, Damian, how are you doing today?
Speaker 4 (14:23):
Good morning, I'm doing well.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
It's a great day when you can help the community
and empower the community. Before we talk about the Special
Olympics Florida, just share a little bit about yourself to
the community and welcome to community.
Speaker 3 (14:37):
Viewpoints.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
Damien, my name is Damian.
Speaker 4 (14:39):
I am the regional director for the Northwest and Northeast,
so I support the team's operations, all the athletes volunteers
across the entire North Florida essentially from Pensacola through Jacksonville
and then down to Felusia County.
Speaker 3 (14:55):
And Damien, talk to us and tell us how long
have you been in this position.
Speaker 4 (14:58):
I've been in this position for seven years now and
I have supported Special Olympics in various capacities starting from
about twenty thirteen.
Speaker 3 (15:09):
Community Shawnnie speaking to Damian McNeil.
Speaker 1 (15:12):
He is here to talk to us about the Special
Olympics Florida and iHeart has wrapped our hearts around this event. Damian,
if you would tell the folks in the Jacksonville area
about the upcoming Jacksonville Race for Inclusion that's taking place
September thirteenth at the CSX campus in downtown Jacksonville.
Speaker 4 (15:31):
This event, it's a five k walk run at the
downtown campus with CSX in Jacksonville, and the event is
really more than a fundraiser. It is a fundraiser, but
it's really more than that. So for us, it helps
us get the word out about all of the great
things that Special Olympics Florida does in the community, how
(15:54):
it supports the athletes, but it is also a fun
day to come out and just exercise and get the
meet some athletes and meet some fellow community minded people.
It's going to be a really fun day. So September thirteenth,
opening ceremonies are at eight thirty, the race is going
to start at nine. It's just going to be a
really really fun day.
Speaker 1 (16:14):
You know, getting out and supporting and getting some exercise
in is always something fun to do on the weekend
or on a Saturday morning. Damian, I understand that this
is the fifth year, so you're celebrating a milestone.
Speaker 4 (16:26):
Yeah, five years, which I think just goes back to
our consistency in the community and really our partnership too
with CSX and how much they've supported us and the
great partners like iHeartMedia supporting us with our awareness campaigns
and just getting out in the community. But I think
what it really shows is just how much the community
(16:48):
has embraced Special Explorida and vice versa.
Speaker 1 (16:51):
The race for inclusion community A five k walk run.
You don't have to run, you can walk and empower
a community. As they may said, it is a fundraiser,
So we need everyone to join in and just see
what this is all about. Dayman, if you would talk
to us about the programs in Northeast Florida and around
the state that helped the Special Olympics Florida.
Speaker 4 (17:13):
So across the state, we have seventy five thousand participants
within our programs, that school programming, our community based programming
across over twenty sports now that we support in the
state of Florida in the north east area, so in
Duval County specifically, we have over four thousand participants. So
(17:35):
fundraising obviously critical to what we do and in supporting
those efforts that we have in the Duval area. So
in Jacksonville, right, four thousand athletes costs a lot of
money for us to make that operate. We do need
your support. Please go to Racefoinclusion dot org and sign
(17:55):
up for the race we hope to see out there
next week. And what that will help us do is
provide the sports, by the equipment, by the uniforms to
help us. One other thing that I think people don't
know that we do that I think is really really
important and maybe one of the most important things that
we do is we provide critical access to healthcare screenings
(18:17):
for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. So Special and
Mixed internationally is the number one provider of that of
healthcare screenings for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. So
what that means is that we know that this population
already struggles with access to healthcare screenings and gaining access
to healthcare, and so what we do is we help
(18:39):
bridge that gap. So at our competitions, we enlist and
have a lot of doctor volunteers who are doctors provide
these screenings at the competitions. So what happens is, since
our athletes are already going to be there, we bring
the doctors to them so that they can get access
to these critical screenings. It's really really critical what we
(19:00):
do because we believe that healthy athletes are better athletes,
and better athletes are healthy athletes, So we want to
be sure that we're supporting the whole athlete, not just
the sports themselves.
Speaker 1 (19:11):
Community Shawnee speaking to Damian McNeil, Regional director of Northwest
and Northeast Region, here to talk to us about the
Special Olympics Florida, and I just love the title Race
for Inclusion. Everybody understanding that we are a society, we
are a community, and everybody should be included. So community
(19:31):
Race for Inclusion is a statewide event that raises funds
to help provide sports training and competition, critical health services,
as well as life changing leadership programs. And you have
to understand with this community of people, love is also
what we need. So community, wrap your hearts around this
(19:52):
event again on Saturday, September the thirteenth Race for Inclusion, Jacksonville.
And you mentioned CSX as being downtown and that's where
it's going to be one of the partners, correct.
Speaker 4 (20:02):
Correct, Yeah, So CSX has just come through year after
year and supported this event. We couldn't be more grateful
for their support.
Speaker 1 (20:10):
And of course, if you know, life happens and people
cannot make this event, you are always looking for donations.
If you would, Damien, provide that website again so that
the community can either you know, support by just fundraising
and or being there.
Speaker 4 (20:26):
Absolutely so Rate for Inclusion dot org. And one of
the great ways that you can support this event is
by creating a team, So you can create a team
on there, share it on social media, get your family,
get your friends, get your church, get your community to
support this event. You can sign up and share it
on social media and say, you know, I started a
(20:48):
team to support Special Olympics Florida and I'd love your
help in that effort. So a lot of great ways
to support. Go on that website, make a team, and
you can raise funds. Although the event is on September thirteenth,
you can raise funds all the way through the end
of the year. This will be an annual event, so
you know, we hope that you'll come back and create
a team again next year and continue to support.
Speaker 1 (21:10):
Well, we want to continue the love here at iHeart.
So thank you Damian for being a part of community viewpoints.
I see here that on September thirteenth, what can they expect?
Registration opens at seven am and they can register day
of correct, they.
Speaker 4 (21:23):
Can register the day of absolutely. Yeah, So you're going
to show up, We're going to have music, we're going
to have you know, just a lot of fun before
the event. After the event, you're going to meet a
lot of people in your community who are also community
minded people and just want to support a great cause.
So I think what you can expect. It's just a
lot of camaraderie and.
Speaker 1 (21:43):
Just a great time and they lace up join us
for this incredible movement. Every step matters. I am excited
just because of the inclusion, just because we are doing
things to build a well rounded community and the Special
Olympics Florida community deserves everyone's support. Damian, thank you so
(22:04):
much for your time today, Thank you for your energy,
and is there anything else that you'd like to share
with the community about Special Olympics Florida.
Speaker 4 (22:12):
When I think of Special Olympics Florida, I think of
building bridges and for this population specifically, so for the
special needs population. It's so important. We know that this
population has has a generally difficult time gaining access to
things that you and I maybe take for granted. And
(22:35):
so when I think of Speciallympics, I think of us
as kind of bridge builders and a conduit between this
population and the greater community at large. So every dollar matters.
Every you know, moment that we can spend with with
people like iHeartMedia and with partners like CSX just gives
us the ability to like extrapolate that across the community.
(22:59):
So it's so it's so critical. These events are so
critical for us and for this population. So just thank
you CSAX, thank you iHeartMedia so much for your support.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
Well, thank you for your drive and energy and being
a part of this amazing event. And also community, right,
we often fall into places and sometimes it's the greatest
fit because of our energy. I appreciate you being on
community viewpoints, allowing everyone to lift their voice and express
themselves and share their passion. And you can hear that
(23:29):
passion about the special Olympics Florida in your voice, Damien,
So thank you so much for being a part of
the Show Today community. If you want to get to
the information, it's also on our website here at iHeart
on the community calendar page.
Speaker 3 (23:44):
So get involved. Remember every step matters.
Speaker 4 (23:49):
Thank you, Damien, Thank you Shannie.
Speaker 3 (23:51):
Is there anything Damien that you'd like to say.
Speaker 4 (23:53):
I really appreciate the time. I've been doing this a
long time, and I just love the mission.
Speaker 1 (23:57):
I can hear it in your voice and I love
helping people deliver the mission. So I am here as
a servant to serve as well.
Speaker 2 (24:03):
So well, what you do is a big deal.
Speaker 4 (24:05):
It helps us spread the word and you know, hopefully
we can touch more hearts and hopefully we can get
more athletes out here. Right at the end of the day,
that's what we want. We want more athletes. You know,
my favorite and least favorite thing in the world is
getting a phone call from either a parent or an
athlete who's thirty years old who said I've never participated.
When I hear that, there's two thoughts, two conflicting thoughts.
(24:26):
The first is I've had the opportunity right to participate
for twenty years and haven't. But also I get to
show them the joy right the first time they get
to go participate, So it's kind of a little bittersweet.
I know what we've missed out on, but I also
know what we get to, what we get to give
them and show them for hopefully the rest of their lives.
So it's you know, it's kind of a cool moment,
(24:48):
but a little bittersweet. I would say anything we can
do to recruit more athletes, get more athletes involved, get
more families involved. You know, I'm all for whatever that
looks like.
Speaker 1 (24:58):
Thank you so much, Jamien, Thanks Shot, Thank you so
much for listening to community viewpoints. Be sure to check
out both events on our community calendar page, the Unity
Football Classic Fest, family oriented coming to Edward Waters University,
and of course the Special Olympics Florida event coming on
September thirteenth. You can check out our community calendar page
(25:20):
get involved, stay involved, and be empowered. On this Sunday morning,
Thank you once again for listening to community viewpoints.
Speaker 3 (25:27):
Be blessed.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Cardiac Cowboys
The heart was always off-limits to surgeons. Cutting into it spelled instant death for the patient. That is, until a ragtag group of doctors scattered across the Midwest and Texas decided to throw out the rule book. Working in makeshift laboratories and home garages, using medical devices made from scavenged machine parts and beer tubes, these men and women invented the field of open heart surgery. Odds are, someone you know is alive because of them. So why has history left them behind? Presented by Chris Pine, CARDIAC COWBOYS tells the gripping true story behind the birth of heart surgery, and the young, Greatest Generation doctors who made it happen. For years, they competed and feuded, racing to be the first, the best, and the most prolific. Some appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, operated on kings and advised presidents. Others ended up disgraced, penniless, and convicted of felonies. Together, they ignited a revolution in medicine, and changed the world.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.