Shaquill and Shaquem Griffin posing with future twin NFL superstars at their ‘Rebirth the Hood!’ event last month. that featured Nike gear, games, music, autographs, and a car give-a-way. The community event had food, Nike gear, games, music, autographs, a car give-a-way, and a message of hope.
Imagine growing up in the hood that had a sense of family, unity and exposure to caring elders that had relationships with each other. That neighborhood was a protected training ground that taught respect and character. The elderly were revered, and the youth cherished. The environment developed professionals and community leaders who learned their craft through senior leadership that taught the younger ones, while storytelling provided history lessons.
Well, Shaquill and Shaquem Griffin, who are products of that not-so imaginary hood, were in town last month to give back to the neighborhood that helped mold them. The Griffins view their hood as an environment with people of courageous dreams.
One phone call from Shaquem Griffin to his mother Tangie Griffin set into motion the Griffin twins’ passion for their community and appreciation for what it had contributed.
Tangie Griffin’s baby boy called her up, saying, “Mom, Shaquill, and I want to gather kids together from the community, and we want to do an event to put a smile on their faces, have lots of fun, and give them prizes,” said Shaquem Griffin, the younger of the NFL superstar twins.
She openly obliged with a smile on her face, sensing that her sons, who made it from the hood to the National Football League, have giving hearts. Thinking that they were speaking of an event a few weeks away, to her surprise, the reference was for the weekend, a few days later. Mom sprung into action along with her support team to make “Rebirth the Hood” happen.
