EP 174 Guest Mark Schuster

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
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(00:55):
Game on.

Speaker 1 (00:56):
This is your girl, the self proclaimed sports nester you
Garry Thomas, and I am back. Happy day, sports and lovelies,
Happy day, and look it is a wonderful day and
a wonderful day to talk about sports. Now, look, we
have a special guest just coming up after Debrak.

Speaker 4 (01:13):
But before we get.

Speaker 1 (01:14):
To our special guest, let's chat for a second.

Speaker 4 (01:18):
How are you? What do you up to? House?

Speaker 1 (01:21):
Things being the lengths since we last chat it now, look,
I know it has a lot that's happening. We got
an aba playoffs is upon us. We have NHL and
Stanley Cup finals is happening, and we have so much
to talk about with WNBA News and listen, guys, don't
you forget to check us out on iHeartRadio, Spotify and

(01:43):
all streaming platforms. Follow us on the Facebook, the Twitter
of the ex so whatever they had called it these days,
and hit us up on the Gram and let us
know your thoughts on social media.

Speaker 4 (01:53):
But you know it's sports love these listen, sports love lads.

Speaker 1 (01:58):
I know what's a game you to do, and that
is to do what tugs sports. Yes, Oco Golf wins
the French Open in the stunning combat now her first
French Open title and second Grand Slam on Saturday, what
they thrilling and three set victory over world number one
Arena Sablinka in Paris. Now, after dropping the per set

(02:19):
sits and seven, the twenty one year old American storm
back to win sistem two and sits and four. Now
Golf collapsed in tears on the clay, then celebrated with
her family and teen and of.

Speaker 4 (02:31):
Course you know who was in the building.

Speaker 1 (02:33):
Director Spike Lady was giving her nothing but love and praise. Now,
former first Lady Michelle Obama praiser on X, calling her
an inspiration golf, is the first American woman to win
the French Open since Serena Into twenty fifteen and the
youngest since Serena in two thousand and two. So congratulations
to Coco Yes capturing her first French Open title. Now

(02:59):
on news Now, Look, our Falcons are dirty birds, you
best of believe. Minniicampus going on this week and Michael
Vick he was on site.

Speaker 4 (03:09):
He actually was just checking out.

Speaker 1 (03:11):
The team, you know, giving some feedback, and he seemed
to like what he saw when he checked out Falcons.
Ricky quarterback Michael Pennett Junior Now after attending the team's
Ota practice this week, the former franchise quarterback said Pennett's
looks like everything has slowed down and predicted an amazing
season or him ahead Vic, who is now the head

(03:32):
coach of Norfolk State.

Speaker 4 (03:33):
He observed practice.

Speaker 1 (03:34):
Closely and spent time with Pennett's Beijing Robertson Andrew London
with vic silver approval.

Speaker 4 (03:40):
Hopes a rising that Pennet's can.

Speaker 1 (03:42):
Finally bring some stability to Atlanta's quarterback position, and we're
definitely looking forward to it right. We are so excited
and just hyped up for the twenty twenty five to
twenty six season for our atl Dirty Birds Atlanta Falcons.

Speaker 4 (03:58):
Rise up, let's get it, let's go.

Speaker 1 (04:01):
Now on to football. On the other side of the field,
we're talking about the Five Stripes. Twelve Atlanta United players
have been caught up for international duties Luna June's second
through the ten fief A window, including ten first team members.
Notable call ups including Miguel Almaran, Louise Abram and Sava,

(04:23):
while riding talments like Luke Brandon, Noah Cobb and Dominique
Chunky will represent US youth national teams. Atlanta United two's
Caden Moore and academy defender Brandon Dunham also earned selections.
The Five Stripes are set to return to MLS's action
on June twelfth at Yets NYCFC at Yankee Stadium.

Speaker 4 (04:48):
Of course, we will be covering.

Speaker 1 (04:51):
From Afar, so just stay tuned, stay tuned, let's go,
Five Stripes, Let's go now. You know, guys, this week
has been a bus missing week and of course your
girl was outed it out in these streets, the sports
streets that is so lizid all Right Atlanta Hawks. They
took off their new Junior Hawks Shooting Clinic program at

(05:14):
Norcross High School, giving boys and girls ages eight through
fifteen the chairs to sharpen their shooting skills with hands
on coaching and the game ready drills led by Hawks
use basketball development staff, and of course it featured a
special appearance by former NBA player Cedric Tony. Now, the
clinic focus on building strong fundamentals, boosting confidence, and inspiring

(05:36):
the next.

Speaker 4 (05:36):
Generations of Hoopers.

Speaker 1 (05:38):
Now I had a chance to speak with Cedric, and
this is what you have to say. I avowed just
the entire camp and just that.

Speaker 5 (05:46):
Viye, Well, I'm here at the Hawks shooting Camp. I
love number one, to work with kids. Number two, I
love doing things for the Hawks because they drafted me
in nineteen eighty so I feel like I owe.

Speaker 6 (06:03):
Them, okay, because they made my dream come true.

Speaker 5 (06:06):
So if I can help from one of these young
kids here in the gym right now making their dream
come true, whatever it is, I don't mind doing that.

Speaker 2 (06:13):
I love that. I love that.

Speaker 7 (06:14):
So let's talk a little bit about nineteen eighty five, right,
and that was what a few moves back.

Speaker 6 (06:21):
You just a little.

Speaker 8 (06:23):
Yeah.

Speaker 9 (06:23):
What was one of your most memorable moments here with
Atlanta Ox, Well, it was the first game I played
at the arena, which was called the Omni because in
the same place, but.

Speaker 6 (06:35):
They just rebuilt it was called the Omni.

Speaker 5 (06:38):
I remember we played our first home game against the
Washington Now the Wizards used to be the Bullets, okay,
And I just remember coming out of the locker room
and running out on the floor.

Speaker 6 (06:54):
And just like almost going into like a frieze, like.

Speaker 5 (06:58):
I'm really playing it in.

Speaker 6 (07:01):
It was a childhood dream.

Speaker 5 (07:02):
Of mine, right, So to really just all have it
all come full circle, it just kind of really made
me feel some special way.

Speaker 7 (07:10):
Absolutely Now looking at the young kids, the energy is
so live or so happy.

Speaker 3 (07:15):
What if one of the kids came up to you,
what would.

Speaker 7 (07:17):
Your advice be if they say, Hey, I want to
go to the NBA, what would your advice?

Speaker 5 (07:22):
Well, my advice for them would be too, It's going
to be hard work, but it's not like you can't
do it.

Speaker 6 (07:27):
I always encourage kids to I always speak life to kids.

Speaker 5 (07:30):
I always encourage them to do the work. But you
have to do the work. It's not going to be easy.
You're gonna have.

Speaker 6 (07:38):
Ups and downs, but if you stick to it, it
will happen. You just have to stick to it and
you have to do the work.

Speaker 2 (07:44):
I'm giving back to the community.

Speaker 7 (07:46):
How important is that for you just to sit here
and just give back to all these young youth that
just are so excited just to be a part of
today right now.

Speaker 6 (07:53):
That's very important to me.

Speaker 5 (07:55):
As I mentioned before to someone else, I love helping kids.

Speaker 6 (08:00):
Kids are our future.

Speaker 5 (08:01):
So if I can help kids become great, become special.

Speaker 1 (08:05):
I don't have a problem doing that and looking fast
forward to the future and looking now at all the
new players in the NBA.

Speaker 7 (08:12):
What is your thoughts in NBA playoffs that's going on
where I know you have some thoughts on that.

Speaker 5 (08:16):
Can you give us some you know I do have
some thoughts well. First of all, I love the Oklahoma
City Thunder. I think they have a very special team.
One of the things that I like about them a
lot is that there are ten guys that they play
a lot, and they all play the same. They all
play hard, and guess what, I believe they like each other.

Speaker 6 (08:39):
That's most important as a.

Speaker 5 (08:40):
Team continuity, when you are not envy of a teammate
or envy of something else, and you guys are working
together as one. It's hard to beat that, you know,
to break that circle. So I think that they are
a really elite teams. NBA is good too, so they're
not gonna lay.

Speaker 6 (08:56):
Down and just give the thing. To give the championship
to Oklahoma City. I believe Oklahoma cities don't come out
on talk.

Speaker 2 (09:01):
I love that.

Speaker 8 (09:02):
Love that.

Speaker 7 (09:03):
Find out a bonus question. I know during your time
with the Hats, there wasn't a w NBA.

Speaker 2 (09:08):
Now we see.

Speaker 7 (09:09):
Players like Caitlin Clark injuries that are taking this whole
genre to a whole nother level. We see girls out
there playing as well.

Speaker 2 (09:16):
What's your thoughts?

Speaker 5 (09:17):
Well, I love it before transparency, I used to didn't
watch the w NBA years ago when it first came out.
I watched the games now because I'm watching the skills
and I'm like, these girls can play.

Speaker 6 (09:32):
It's a whole different era now, so I'm enjoying what
just watching the young people play now.

Speaker 1 (09:38):
The giving keeps a given because on Friday, the Hatstaal
State Farn unveiled a brand new Good Neighbor Club at
Pittman Park Recreation Center in Atlanta's historic Pittsburgh neighborhood. The
upgraded team space featured new tech furniture and creative learning zones,
and it's the twelfth of its kind designed to empower
local youth. Now, Hawks two player the Quin Plodding and

(10:02):
Mayor Andrew Dickens and community partners joined the celebration, which
included interactive workshops, giveaways, and sobriety visits from of course,
know another than Harry the Hawk and Hawks Entertainment Now.
The initiative highlights the Hawks and State Porn's ongoing commitment
to uplifting communities across metro Atlanta. Now, if you want

(10:24):
to learn more about hawkscommunity, checkout Hawks dot com sport
Slash Shooting Clinics. It's amazing and stay tuned because summer
is uphead and we will be covering more community and
of course more clinics. Let's go to to Atlanta, Let's
go out to Old Hawks Now sports Lovelace, Now Sports Lovelace.

Speaker 4 (10:46):
I've said this last week.

Speaker 1 (10:47):
You know, we all know that our favorite hockey team,
our Atlantic Gladiators, are in the off season, but that
does not mean that we will not talk about hockey.
Because NHL is upon us and another game, another overtime
thriller in the Stanley Cup Final has happened. This time

(11:10):
it was the Florida Panthers who emerged victorious, over edging
the Edmonton Oilers five and four in double overtime to
claim Game two and even the series at one and
one on Friday night at Rogers Place. And you know
what momentum is building, you know, with the momentums up
for grabs, the series now shifts to Sunrise, Florida for

(11:30):
a pivotal Game three on Monday.

Speaker 4 (11:33):
Stay tuned.

Speaker 1 (11:34):
Check out Chicks and the Sports dot Com for further
sports news, where you can catch some NHL news of
clerks from your girl, this self proclaimed sweersnista. Ya Carrie, Okay, yes, but.

Speaker 4 (11:47):
You know what we're talking about? Finals? We got playoffs
going on. I gotta switch lanes here. NBA playoff that's happening.

Speaker 1 (11:55):
The twenty twenty five is upon us and on Sunday, June,
the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder are set to
clash in Game two of the NBA Finals at Paycom
Center in Oklahoma City. Now, Indiana is stend. It's Cinderella
playoff run with you another fourth quarter comeback cat by
Tyres halliburtons clutch jumper with just three seconds left to

(12:18):
seal a one eleven one ten game one victory, his
fourth game one game winner of the postseason.

Speaker 4 (12:29):
Now listen, At this.

Speaker 1 (12:30):
Rate, Tyres might need to start charging rent for all
of the spaces he's taken up in clutch time. Okay,
so make sure it's sports lovelies, stay locked in. This
playoff run is gonna be full of a whole lot
of unfinished business, and we're here to report all about it.
Oh bye, Coming up after the break is my WNBA news.

Speaker 4 (12:55):
Stay tuned, will be bad.

Speaker 1 (13:21):
Ohlcome back, Welcome Backsports Lovelies, It's WNBA news, and yes,
Irelanta dream, Oh my goodness, our dream. They fell eighty
forty seventy six to the Connecticut Sun and their Commissioner's
Cup opener, debuting a new starting five and dropping two
five and three on the season. Despite the loss, Britney

(13:43):
griner Ryan Howard East scored eighteen points and Nats Human
reached a franchise milestone with her one hundred and fifteenth
consecutive game. Now Alicia Gray, who opened the game with
a three, was recently named the key at WNBA Eastern
Conference Player of the Month Remain after averaging twenty one
point four points, five point one rebounds, and of course

(14:05):
four point six assists while leading the Dream to its
best start in nine years. It is her first monthly
honor and just the third in team history. Now, the
Dream we'll return to action June tenth versus the Indiana
Fever at Gateway Center Arena. So stay tuned first and levelies,
you know we will be in the building covering the
Atlanta Dream.

Speaker 4 (14:26):
Now, last week we spoke about.

Speaker 1 (14:28):
Kaitlyn Clark and of course her injury which kind of
left her sideline. Now here's some updates Caitlin Clark. She
didn't miss her fourth game of the season on Saturday
as she continued to recover from her quad injury, now
leaving the Indiana Favor to face the Chicago's Guy.

Speaker 4 (14:43):
With their star point guard. But here's still to the forum.

Speaker 1 (14:49):
Clark still made her presence felt on the sideline state
actively engaged throughout the game as she has.

Speaker 4 (14:56):
Throughout her rehab.

Speaker 1 (14:57):
Now with reevaluation scheduled this weekend, and Clark hasn't been
ruled out of the potential return for Tuesdays matchup, of
course against our ATL Dream. Now the comeback Countdown is
officially on now. Either way, it's gonna be a pat
house at the Gateway Center Arena, so make sure you
get there early because we'll be there covering our atl

(15:17):
Dream now.

Speaker 4 (15:18):
I know, I know, you know.

Speaker 1 (15:20):
We haven't spoken about Maya Moor in a while, but
I definitely want to just give some.

Speaker 4 (15:23):
You know, updates and the praises to Maya Moore.

Speaker 1 (15:26):
Of course, if you were sleeping on our rock, maybe
you have or maybe you have, but you know about Maya.

Speaker 4 (15:32):
She earned Hall of Fame nod, and.

Speaker 1 (15:34):
Of course it drew some praises from none other than
Becky Kanon.

Speaker 4 (15:39):
Yes, back Ee Hammon.

Speaker 1 (15:41):
And here's the thing, you know, Maya being one of
the most dominant players in the w BNBA history, she
was selected for induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame
twenty twenty five class. Then, the former Yukon and Minnesota
League star earned praises from Las Vegas Aces head coached
Becky Hammond. She reflected on Maya's impact full the Aces

(16:02):
seventy five and seventy win over Seattle.

Speaker 4 (16:05):
She said it quote, she leads such.

Speaker 1 (16:07):
A life of conviction driven by a higher purpose than
just basketball end quote. Having said more a four time
WNBA champion MVP and since time, I'll start stepped away
from the game in twenty nineteen and officially retired in
twenty twenty three. Now her Hall of Fame not honors
a career and a legacy that transcends the court. Congratulations

(16:29):
again for our very own Maya Moore. Yeah, Guenette County,
Collins Hill, we see you, Collins Hill High School alum. Okay, yes, congratulations.
Now you know what, I just want to keep on
up and up, you know, optimistic mood, you know, positive vibe.

(16:50):
I want to talk about WNBA legend Lisa Leslie, who
had strong words for Coco Golf amid the French Open.

Speaker 4 (16:56):
Now WNBA legend Lisa.

Speaker 1 (16:59):
Lastie had some strong words now encouragement okay for Coco
ahead of her French Open. When firing up fans on
social media, Leslie bat the rising tennis starting with just
high spirits, you know, like open quote, she said, one
more fight for your right to party. You got this

(17:20):
champ now the Hall of Famers hight perfectly captured the
energy and confidence fueling golfs to her championship run. This
is amazing. I'm always loving when we are crossing sports right,
some of our players are just supporting other players, former players,
current players.

Speaker 4 (17:38):
I love it. Just send it.

Speaker 1 (17:39):
Out, love and inspiration all around. That's what it's all about,
you know.

Speaker 4 (17:44):
That's why Lisa Leslie is a legend.

Speaker 1 (17:47):
Now listen, WNBA tip Off is set to bring some
star power. Now, if you don't know what that is,
it's gonna be a new show CBS Primetime WNBA Rich
will be going down. It's gonna feature two time WNBA
champion are Very Own, Very Own with Nay Montgomery and

(18:11):
season broadcaster Sarah Costock. Now, the show runs thirty to
sixty minutes and airs four times throughout the season during
CBS Marquee WNBA Broadcast. Now, the show will also feature
none other than Who Done Stay. Yes, it's gonna be
a highly anticipated matchup, you know, and I love it.

Speaker 4 (18:33):
I love it.

Speaker 1 (18:34):
And now the show's started on June and seventh. But love, guys,
make sure. I'm just always always looking for all the
women in media, whether they're you know, former players, former coaches.

Speaker 4 (18:47):
I just love it.

Speaker 1 (18:48):
I love the atmosphere. I just love listening to their
feedback and just their analysis of a game. But here's
the thing, it's going down. I'm loving it. Women take
over because when the lights come on and the game
gets going, y'all want to be courtsicked with the Queen's upcomentary. Okay,

(19:13):
So Sports Loveliest Spirts Lovelies for the upcoming twenty twenty
five season, nice sure to check out ATL Dreaming Podcasts
and all streaming platforms. You'll find me the self for
glades where sneeze do you hear you tw much turn
you buy everything, I'll I agree with my dude, my
brother from another mother at window Belle. So yes, I

(19:35):
know if you're checking it out now.

Speaker 6 (19:37):
Look, yes they're.

Speaker 1 (19:38):
Old episodes, but that's okay. You need to catch up
because twenty twenty five it is right around the corner.
So make sure you listen to ATL Dreaming Podcasts.

Speaker 4 (19:48):
Streaming on all platforms.

Speaker 1 (19:52):
I'm gonna after the rates my SMH and dream moments
stay tuned, will be there.

Speaker 2 (20:00):
Ah my god, oh no she didn't.

Speaker 6 (20:25):
Oh no she didn't.

Speaker 4 (20:27):
Oh oh no, this her for didn't. Welcome back.

Speaker 1 (20:36):
Welcome back, Sports Lovelies and my sma chrons moment is
a honest. Now, listen, guys, this is serious talk.

Speaker 4 (20:43):
So come right in, step on and pull up a chair.
Let's chat about it.

Speaker 8 (20:48):
Now.

Speaker 1 (20:48):
Vanessa Bryant, she is denying pregnancy rumor amid online backlash
over just moving on. Okay, So yeah, So rumors they've
been circulating all around social media about Vanessa Brant, the
middle of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, may be possibly expecting

(21:09):
a child, and some online users who are just reacting
and have been being in their moments and just not
being very supportive at all or just to say the least.
No critics are claiming she's disrespecting Kobe's legacy by possibly
moving on, with several insisting she has no right to
start a new chapter in her life. Now listen, Vanessa

(21:31):
has since denied the rumors.

Speaker 4 (21:33):
But let's be clear.

Speaker 1 (21:35):
You know, unfortunately, Kobe has been going for almost five years,
and I feel like this, guys, Vanessa, Vanessa, like anyone else,
has endured such profound laws from her daughter to her husband,
and this is a lot. And just having said that,
you know, she needs that time to heal. You know,

(21:57):
there is no timeline for grief. And we and we
send well wishes to her and hope that she is
finding finding peace and healing and growing and maybe possibly
maybe finding love again. I don't know, you know, it's
on her terms. This is her life.

Speaker 4 (22:14):
And here's the thing. Apions are like elbows.

Speaker 1 (22:17):
Everyone has one, and the reality is many people move
on within six months of losing a spouse, and Vanessa
at this point owes no explanation, no permission, and certainly
no apologies for living her best life. Okay, so yeah, people,

(22:38):
sports lovelies, back up, leave her alone, let her heal,
And that is my smh Ong moment for the week.

Speaker 4 (22:50):
Be sure to check out She's in the sweat side.
Come for further.

Speaker 1 (22:52):
Sports news follows on the Facebook, the Twitter, the acts
of whatever they're calling these days. They hit us up
on the ground and if you're listening on high R
Radio or Spotify, be sure to get us five stars. However,
wherever you do it, let us know your thoughts on
social media. Coming up after the rate is my special guest.
Stay tuned will be My next guest is the CEO

(23:30):
of the real estate investment group Win Games. Sports lovelies,
please welcome Marchester too.

Speaker 4 (23:35):
Chicks in a sport.

Speaker 1 (23:37):
I'm still super excited to talk to you, but I
definitely want to talk about just the new chapter in
Atlanta's OH for Forward, And how does Cyprus five ninety
five sit away new chapter and just the revitalization of
OH for Forward and why is it so important and
in this moment and significant for the neighborhood as well.

Speaker 8 (23:58):
Great questions. First, five ninety five Cyprus is the fifth
in a series of new apartment homes that we're building,
all of which are affordable. Wow, there'll be a total
of seven hundred and fifty of those apartments and they're

(24:21):
being What's happening is we're taking our the existing inventory
of seven hundred and fifty units in seventy buildings scattered
and replacing that for our residents with brand new mid rise,

(24:42):
fully amenetized properties that you would imagine our market rate properties.
The The one of the important issues having to do
with five ninety five is that it represents that fifth

(25:04):
in a series, which takes us well over the fifty
percent mark for completion of our vision plan for the
Old fourth Ward. The vision came about because we sat
with the stakeholders and pu's others in the community who

(25:30):
had a voice business people. And at the time, Kwanza
Hall and a fellow by the name of Caleb Racon
who is at TCW and he's a city planner that

(25:51):
was recruited by Kwanza, and they had a whole They
rezoned the entire area of what we call city lights
today so that we could put we could fit you know,
our shoes into their shoe box, if you will, and

(26:14):
that allowed us the ability to do these midrise buildings
so that we could release other properties that we didn't
need for the new building footprints to be reused for
market rate. However, our promise to Kwanza, to three different mayors,

(26:39):
to two different councilmen, Emir Peruki was fabulously helpful to us.
But you know, and the vision was, let's take care
of who's here first first, so that we do not

(27:00):
create is a process of gentrification that will leave those
who were there first to be second, third, or fourth absolutely,
and so that's our commitment. And so when we're complete
with the seven hundred and fifty unit seventy building scattered
site existing into these new seven buildings, we will then

(27:28):
start on a market rate construction projects in a series
so that the entire community will be mixed income and
will be really available and open to every demographic the

(27:50):
city has to offer. And in the process, what we'll
do is end up with a fifteen hundred unit apartment
community that, by the way, way, because of what we
have done to date, is now got up to million
to a million five and single family homes. It's got

(28:12):
townhouses and condominiums. So the process of gentrification, not by us,
was started, but without sacrificing anybody who was there first.
That is our affordable residence. So the neighborhood is changing dramatically, yes,

(28:36):
and we feel really good about being a part of
that change and a part of an amazing team. I
can tell you that the NPUs, we're fabulous, the neighborhood,
concerned parties, fabulous. Apartment of Housing and Urban Development truly amazing,

(28:58):
as is Department of Commune the Affairs. They work hand
in glove to help cobble together programs and issues and
matters and so forth to get us to a finish
line for every new property. And then of course you
know there's the Mayor's office and City Council and the

(29:23):
Building Department and APD, so you know, we've been fortunate
Atlanta offers something very special. All those people don't say no, no, no, no,
you can't do that and expect us to come back
with an answer. They say, well, how can we do this?

(29:47):
And they contribute answers. And I think that it's a
testament to the city of Atlanta to have that kind
of a perspective amongst so many people from such diverse
backgrounds that it's it's it's refreshing, and it's one of

(30:07):
the reasons that Atlanta will become the beneficiary of seven
hundred and fifty brand new affordable apartments and another seven
to fifty of market right, and it'll change the land
continue to change the landscape completely.

Speaker 1 (30:30):
Wow, that is so amazing, and I know it's so important,
especially in our economy today, But I wanted to ask you,
just beyond housing, just investing in the people, what on
site programs will be just offered to support residents beyond
just housing, And why is this going to be more
like a holistic approach and why is it so important?

Speaker 8 (30:51):
Oh? Great question. First, let me just do a little
pr for my firm. We believe in people. I belie
even people. I say, people say, we're in the real
estate business, I say, we're in the people business, and
we try to run as horizontal as possible so all

(31:12):
of those people we're appropriate can weigh in and be
part of change. And that's been a fundamental aspect of
our culture and probably one of the major reasons we've
now four consecutive years been named among the top one
hundred mid size companies in the state of Massachusetts. So

(31:41):
that sort of people first mentality carries over. How does
it carry over? Well, some years ago we began a
process of making an investment in Operation Peace, which is
a nonprofit designed to educate kids not in the place
of education that happens at the public school level, but

(32:05):
for it skills, information technology, skills for other other skills
that the kids want or need and that we can provide.
And that organization is one that we've supported with well
over two million dollars to date and which we've helped

(32:28):
to solicit third party funds as well from foundations grant money.
That organization has has helped our single moms and single
dads to provide a safe and a educational, education oriented

(32:53):
space for the kids in the afternoons when they break
from school and parents don't have to worry, but they
can rejoice in the fact that they're getting supplemental education.
We then subsequently have worked on League Win Game and

(33:18):
that is a also spawned by Operation Peace. And what
that is is a number of kids, many of whom
live in our properties, who are who want to play basketball,
who want to be in a collegial type of atmosphere

(33:41):
and get the instruction and the competition they need to
further their lives at the high school level. And I'll
tell you an interesting anecdote, but our younger team players
win Gate team players that showed up to play a
couple of sundays ago play the wing Gate High school

(34:04):
team players are themselves pretty young, having graduated from college,
you know, three to five years ago, and our guys
showed up to have a basketball game with the local
Wingate high schoolers that got their heads handed to them.

(34:26):
But put apart from the disappointment, there was a new
avenue for these kids to pursue. So we tend to
hire athletes. I love to hire athletes because they understand
what it means to be part of a team and

(34:46):
to work on a collegial basis. And so that carried
over and our guys one of them played football at Georgetown,
the other played tennis at Georgetown. The other was a
two year lacrosse captain at UVA, which is a nationally
recognized program. I mean, so what happened when we brought

(35:09):
them together, And what happened was we didn't get just
competitive basketball, but the kids were asking about what's next?
How do you you know? How do you know where
you want to go? How do you enter the process,

(35:30):
how do you decide what you need and want? So
there was this fantastic exchange that took place, and we're
now trying to figure out internally how to replicate on
some basis with some of our team members being remote,
and you know, hard to get all these teenagers on

(35:54):
any given day in one place when they're practicing, because
all of them, all of the teams are now extremely
competitive in their leagues, and one or two are doing
extraordinarily well. So you know, it's the old story, you
can't get wet unless you go swimming. So our people

(36:17):
went in to the local high school, played the Wingate
high school team, and look what happens. There's now a
brand new branch of this tree that's trying to be
developed and grown to take these kids to the next level. Still,
so what have we done. We've basically taken older elementary

(36:39):
school kids and middle school kids and moved them on
into out of a learning program into an athletic program.
And the athletic program is now asking, gee, how do
I think about my future and college? So we're learning
as we go. We're going and we've been at it

(37:04):
now for twenty years.

Speaker 1 (37:07):
Wow, that is so amazing. Just giving back to the community,
which is so, so very important. But I know earlier
you did hint on just those partnerships with some of
the mayor's former mayors of Atlanta, But can you just
talk about just the collaboration between public and private partners
that contribute to just the success of Cyprus five ninety five,

(37:30):
and what can other cities learn from this model as well?

Speaker 8 (37:34):
Well? I think to go backwards in the conversation a
little bit, I think what's paramount is the change of attitude.
Not that this is a problem, go solve it, but
how can we help you solve this problem? Not all
cities have that kind of offer, that kind of attitude. Now,

(37:57):
I don't know if it's in the water, it's in
the air, but you know, the majority of folks we've
talked to at the government level are encouraging partnership, and
that makes all the difference in the world. That's number one.
Number number two. You know, I think a lot of

(38:20):
developers tend to look at governmental agencies as difficult or
ponderous or loaded with regulation and all of us to that,
and you know, to some extent that's true. But by

(38:40):
the way, it's also true at Mobile Oil. I mean,
when you get to be that kind of a size,
it's hard to to maintain a consistent culture. But be
that as it may. Department of Housing and Urban Development
has been in a amazing partner. Department of Community Affairs

(39:05):
has been incredibly creative, thoughtful and important. City of Atlanta
same And so from those agencies we enter as a
working partner and not having all the answers. And I
think that's how you take this show on the road,

(39:28):
because this is a model. Now, a successful model we've
had doesn't matter. Democrat, Republican, doesn't matter. We're now on
our third maybe fourth, third president, and every one of
them has sent the Secretary of HUD to visit us.

(39:51):
We're waiting for the new Secretary of h to visit
us and why because what is happening in Atlanta with
this sort of balanced approach between private and public sector
is one that HUD would like to see understand and hopefully,

(40:14):
you know, disseminate around the country because that HUD Atlanta
office is just amazing, just amazing. So there's programs out there,
there's money out there, there's willing people out there, and
it's not a secret sauce. You've just got to take
up the mantle and go.

Speaker 1 (40:35):
Absolutely absolutely. But you know what I just wanted to
ask you this final question. Talk about fifty year legacy, Right,
how has one Gates drawing on its five decades of
experience to shape the future of equitable sustainable development in
Atlanta in across the Southeast.

Speaker 8 (40:54):
We've learned that everybody has a pair of ears for
a reason, right, and that's not just to hear people,
but it's to listen, actively listen. And we can have
an idea, but if it can't get grounded in constituencies,
then we have to decide how to make it grounded

(41:18):
to constituencies. So, very good question and a very simple answer,
you know it. What we've learned is to become a
member of the communities in which we function and to
serve our residents with the same kind of respect that

(41:39):
you see us having done it City Lights by relocating
tenants during construction so they can come back in because
they were the first people there and they ought to
be the first people back absolutely, So you know, how
do you do that and how can we do that
with the governmental agencies? And it's about listening and conversation.

(42:02):
But you got to listen first. You've got to understand
what it is they're charged to do and what they
know they're capable of doing.

Speaker 4 (42:13):
Amazing.

Speaker 1 (42:14):
Oh my gosh, Mark, this is such an exciting project again,
could you please share how can we find out more
information about five five five Cyprus five?

Speaker 8 (42:25):
Ye? Sure, there's two ways. First off, I'm gonna ask
Sasha or one of her associates to call you and
give you all of that information, okay, And then secondly,
offer you an opportunity to join us on the third
for our opening of five ninety five so that you

(42:47):
can see, touch and feel what the end result of
all of this is. And you'll see tenants, you'll see
our team members, you'll see politicians, you'll see others who
are all there to celebrate another step forward.

Speaker 1 (43:06):
Absolutely, that is so important and I really appreciate you
coming on and chatting with me. This is so amazing,
especially just getting the community involved and not only just
bringing them back into where they belong as well. So
thank you so much, Mark for everything that you're doing
in the community.

Speaker 8 (43:24):
Well, thank you for giving me an opportunity to speak
on behalf of all the government agencies and the residents,
because this is at the end of the day, this
is something that we all know is desperately needed and
the resources exist and hopefully others will follow on.

Speaker 1 (43:58):
Personally, five Units continues to be all around. I have
always said I am the Queen of Elves.

Speaker 4 (44:10):
Taken l' lecking right.

Speaker 2 (44:12):
I swear if.

Speaker 4 (44:13):
There was any such person, I am she and she
is not.

Speaker 1 (44:19):
But listen, in all fairness, I can say the same
about winning, right. I've had some major wins throughout my life,
which has always been my motivation to keep pushing forward.
So if you ever find yourself feeling like me, remember
an l it's just an honiss shape w and it's
all about your mindset, okay, But most importantly, sometimes you

(44:42):
have to just lose to win.

Speaker 2 (44:44):
In the game of life.

Speaker 1 (44:46):
Remember, dreams don't come true until you do what You
wake up and do the work that you will never
be the same.

Speaker 8 (44:54):
Okay,