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Long before his personal encounter with Shaq, young Mekhi Welch has become a gifted sports buff

October 17, 2019 Andre Johnson

MEKHI’S MAD SKILLZ

**HE’S THE TRUTH —** For the child who’s widely known as “Mekhi,” a rather distinctly unique thing occurred some three years or so ago, according to his mother, Tawanna Chamberlain. “Mekhi has been a sports buff since the age of three,” Chamberlain told Making Headline News this week. “But when he started to read around five years old, he asked me to read books to him about the history of basketball and great players.”

DALLAS — Mekhi Welch is just eight years old, meaning for a kid his age, one would think he’s essentially in the beginner’s stage with regards to his knowledge about sports.

For the child who’s widely known as “Mekhi,” a rather distinctly unique thing occurred some three years or so ago, according to his mother, Tawanna Chamberlain.

“Mekhi has been a sports buff since the age of three,” Chamberlain, a Clearwater, Florida resident, told Making Headline News this week. “But when he started to read around five years old, he asked me to read books to him about the history of basketball and great players.”

And just like that, a rising young sports historian, of sorts, was born, considering Mekhi’s sports knowledge is such that he could perhaps teach these old vets a thing of two about arguably some of the celebrated athletes of our generation.

Thanks in large part to his mother routinely reading his autobiographies of Lewis Alcindor, Jr, (famously known today as Kareem Abdul-Jabar), Kobe Bryant’s “Mamba Mentality,” “When The Game Was Ours,” featuring Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, Phil Jackson’s “Eleven Rings” Sam Smith’s “The Jordan Rules,” Mitch Albom’s “Fab Five,” Dick Devenzo’s “Stuff Good Players Should Know,” LeBron James’ “The Boy Who Became King,” Stephen Curry’s “The Boy Who Never Gave Up,” “Michael Jordan: The Life,” and “Little Shaq” by Shaquille O’neal,” among others, and it’s no wonder little Mekhi boasts lofty aspirations of someday emerging as household name in what has become a multi-million dollar sport industry, particularly for some the world’s most prominent sports journalists.

LOOK! IT’S DA BIG DIESEL!

**GOTTA LOOK AT THIS THIS —** “Then it happened,” Chamberlain said. “Three days later, I received a personal video message from Shaq to Mekhi and I almost lost it. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was a surreal moment in time. I couldn’t wait to show Mekhi that his hero, Shaq, had sent him a personal message. When Mekhi saw the message from Shaq, he was overjoyed. He was smiling from ear-to-ear and he talked about the video message all the way to school that morning.”

“We absolutely love to read in our home,” Chamberlain said son’s newfound gift as a sports enthusiast. “In fact, it’s our favorite pastime. We literally own more books than we can count, and when Mekhi would become disinterested with me reading countless of books to him, he would pick up his iPad and Google interesting basketball stats and facts.”

To his credit, the more he deems it essential to become knowledge about sports opposite those up-to-date scores that customarily scroll across SportCenter’s Bottom Line, the more it seems that Mekhi essentially broadens his journalistic mechanics that figure to set him apart mightily from his peers much more sooner than later.

Never mind that he’s only eight years of age.

“Over the last five years, he has become a real life NBA basketball Wikipedia,” said Chamberlain, trying the best she could to assess her young and gifted son’s amazing gift that centered on big time sports. “You can ask him any question you want to about players from Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem, Magic, Kobe, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Isaiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Tracy McGrady, Charles Barkley, Step Curry, Kevin Durant, Kwahi Leonard, Clay Thompson, Ben Simmons to Zion Williamson.”

Once someone picks Mekhi’s brain about any major professional athlete — past or present — they might as well brace themselves for what essentially will be said next.

“Amazingly, he can recall their height, what cities they were born in, all the teams that each player played on, what year they were recruited and drafted to the NBA, who their rivals were, their current stats, their highest scoring games in a season, the years they were injured, and how the injury impacted their careers,” Chamberlain said. “You should hear him tell the story about Yao Ming.”

And then there is Mekhi’s personal encounter with O’Neal, five-time NBA champion and former LSU All-American.

According to Chamberlain, her son and Shaq established friendship during which an awe-inspiring encounter took place, a development that resulted in her son being the beneficiary.

“Mekhi has always loved Shaq,” Chamberlain said. Since he was five years old, he would tell me that his dream was to play a game of one-on-one with Shaq. To Mekhi, Shaquille O’Neal is larger-than-life. The other day I was in the living room watching something on TV and a commercial for a national pizza chain came on. Just as the commercial came on, Mekhi walked out of his room and was mesmerized by the fact that Shaq was going all around the town delivering pizzas to people.”

Much to his delight, the young sports buff had become even more attentive to the commercial ad featuring his hero.

“Over the last five years, he has become a real life NBA basketball Wikipedia,” said Chamberlain, trying the best she could to assess her young and gifted son’s amazing gift that centered on big time sports. “You can ask him any question you want to about players from Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem, Magic, Kobe, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Isaiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Tracy McGrady, Charles Barkley, Step Curry, Kevin Durant, Kwahi Leonard, Clay Thompson, Ben Simmons to Zion Williamson.”

“Mekhi could not believe his eyes…he thought that was the coolest thing ever,” Chamberlain recalled. “Right after the commercial went off, Mekhi asked me to call or text Shaq and ask him to bring him a (Papa John’s) pepperoni pizza. I just looked at him with a blank stare—I honestly didn’t know what to say to him regarding his request, because I was thinking to myself, “Yeah right. I don’t know Shaq’s telephone number—so I can’t call or text him and ask him to bring a pizza over here.

“Mekhi wholeheartedly believed that I would know how to contact Shaq and he was very persistent, so he went as far as to go pick up my cell phone and he handed it to me and said, ‘Here mom, please go ahead and call or text Shaq.’”

Interestingly, things would eventually become even more interesting for Mehki.

“Not wanting to let my child down, I grabbed my phone and sent a ‘Hail Mary’ DM to Shaq on Instagram, because my son was standing right there watching me type the message,” Chamberlain said. “No pressure…and I hit, ‘send,’ never thinking that Shaq would actually see the message or read it.”

Boy, was she wrong — wrong for all the right reasons to put it more precisely.

“A few days passed, but everyday Mekhi would ask me, ‘Did Shaq text you back yet?’” Chamberlain said. “While looking for his pizza, he truly believed his favorite player wouldn’t let him down. So I would just remind Mekhi that Shaq is a very busy man, but told him that perhaps when he isn’t so busy, he would make time to respond to my message.”

Once someone picks Mekhi’s brain about any major professional athlete — past or present — they might as well brace themselves for what essentially will be said next.

Suddenly, the long-awaited and figurative slam dunk for which Mekhi had waited was finally executed.

“Then it happened,” Chamberlain said. “Three days later, I received a personal video message from Shaq to Mekhi and I almost lost it. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was a surreal moment in time. I couldn’t wait to show Mekhi that his hero, Shaq, had sent him a personal message. When Mekhi saw the message from Shaq, he was overjoyed. He was smiling from ear-to-ear and he talked about the video message all the way to school that morning.

“That same day, I was contacted by the National Pizza Chain via Twitter and they made it possible for Mekhi’s entire class to enjoy a pizza party, which made everyone’s day,” Chamberlain continued. “This is the stuff that dreams are made of.”

Much like the wealth of knowledge Chamberlain’s son has garnered as such a young age.

Stay tuned. This kid seems well on his way to making major moves in the sports world, something that, well, perhaps even Shaq has sensed.

REMEMBER THE NAME

**STAR WATCH —** To his credit, the more he deems it essential to become knowledge about sports opposite up-to-date scores that customarily scroll across SportCenter’s Bottom Line, the more it seems that Mekhi essentially broadens his journalistic mechanics that figure to set him apart mightily from his peers much more sooner than later.

“It was so very thoughtful of Shaquille O’Neal to take a few moments out of his busy schedule to send Mekhi a message,” Chamberlain said. “It meant the world to him and it is something that he will never forget.”

With all of the sports knowledge he’s acquired in recent years, how could he?

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EDITOR’S NOTE: If you are an entrepreneur, business owner, producer, author, athlete, musician, barber, life coach, motivational speaker, cosmetologist, tax preparer, model, or pastor/minister who is seeking exposure and would like to share your story with an in-depth news feature, call Reporter Andre Johnson at 901-690-6587 or Facebook message him under “Andre T. Johnson” for details.

Andre Johnson is the award-winning Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to makingheadlinenews@gmail.com or to memphisgraduate@yahoo.com. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.

Entertainment News, General Assignment Reporting, Lifestyle, March Madness, Religion, The Big Feature

Chicago businesswoman Lisa Jenkins’ KRA Communications becoming a fixture in key markets throughout U. S.

March 17, 2017 Andre Johnson 2 Comments

**A WINDY CITY SENSATION** — Having officially opened for operations in August 2016, KRA Communications is media-savvy business venture that is dedicated largely to providing small businesses and entrepreneurs a vast array of services, most notably — but are not limited to — content creation, event planning and management, press release generation, social media campaigns, cover letter and resume updating, as well as an assortment of writing or editing services for consumers.

As far as Lisa Jenkins is concerned, there is absolutely nothing wrong with, you know, beating your own drum.

“I have always been one who functioned by the beat of my own drum and have always really enjoyed expressing myself through writing,” Jenkins told Making Headline News this week. “I pursued many industries before I realized communications was my calling though.”

To her distinct and immeasurable credit, Jenkins has gone to great lengths in recent years to find her niche in this ever-so-evolving Mass Communications industry.

Widely known as an accomplished communications specialist, Jenkins, 42, is a thriving Chicago-based businesswoman as owner and chief executive officer of KRA Communications.

**KEY STATE OF MIND** — Interesting enough, since its inception, KRA Communications has become a fixture throughout several major markets, considering Jenkins has serviced clients in her establishment of Chicago, as well as in New York, Florida, Texas, and Detroit, just to name a few.

Having officially opened for operations in August 2016, KRA Communications is a media-savvy business venture that is dedicated largely to providing small businesses and entrepreneurs a vast array of services, most notably — but are not limited to — content creation, event planning and management, press release generation, social media campaigns, cover letter and resume updating, as well as an assortment of writing or editing services for consumers.

“KRA is a full service public relations firm that values the peace of mind of its clients and strives for perfection,” Jenkins said. As a communications expert, I was inspired by my consumers to establish KRA Communications to fill the void in the communications and public relations industry with a premier, knowledgeable, and customer-orientated business that ensures the delivery of the specialized services each client has come to expect while earning a reputation for reliability and quality.”

Interesting enough, since its inception, KRA Communications — named in honor of Jenkins’ daughter, Kayla R. Adams — has become a fixture throughout several major markets, considering Jenkins has serviced clients in her native establishment of Chicago, as well as in New York, Florida, Texas, and Detroit, just to name a few.

What’s even more astounding, especially in this ever-so-popular social media era, is that Jenkins has had the luxury of building lasting, credible working relationships with other business owners across the U. S.

**A LASTING FAVORABLE IMPRESSION** — What’s even more astounding, especially in this ever-so-popular social media era, is that Jenkins has had the luxury of building lasting, credible working relationships with other business owners around the country.

Having earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism from Chicago State University, Jenkins emphasized that KRA Communications caters to business owners and entrepreneurs of all ages.

FOLLOW KRA COMMUNICATIONS VIA SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.facebook.com/kracomm/.

“My personal mission is to bring awareness, create interest, stimulate demand, and reinforce the culture of the brands of my clients,” said Jenkins, explaining the purpose for her business. “Public Relations isn’t simply promoting a person or a service. It takes your business or your brand and puts it in lights. This helps create an image of your company and the possibility of well-rounded patronage.”

As it pertains to building credibility as a veteran Mass Communications guru, Jenkins’ media-savvy talents had been discovered long before she delved off into entrepreneurship.

**THE FACE OF KRA COMMUNICATIONS —** Surely, Lisa Jenkins couldn’t forget her daughter, Kayla R. Adams, whom she said has been her “daily motivation” for the past 22 years.
“Most recently, for the past four years, I have watched her push through any and all obstacles in pursuit of her Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality Administration with an emphasis in Food And Beverage Management,” Lisa Jenkins said of her daughter. “She started cooking when she was 10 years old. And since then, she has been the official cook at home.”

That’s because for a young, vibrant businesswoman who is currently pursuing a professional certificate in Public Relations in the Digital World from Loyola University’s Continuing Education Program, Jenkins is a longtime correspondent for the internationally-acclaimed, award-winning Gazette Chicago.

Founded in 1983 with a current circulation of roughly 17,000, Gazette Chicago is a monthly newspaper that covers the Near West/Tri-Taylor, University Village, West Loop, South Loop, West Haven, Bridgeport/Armour Square, Chinatown, Bronzeville, West Town, and the Heart of Chicago communities of the Windy City.

As for her grandest inspirations for establishing her business, Jenkins paid homage to her father, Larry Jenkins, and my godmother, Sheila McNary, both of whom been small business owners for almost for approximately two decades.

“So I have to say they have both been huge inspirations,” Lisa Jenkins said.

Surely, she couldn’t forget her daughter, Kayla, an undergraduate student whom she said has been her “daily motivation” for the past 22 years.

**JOURNALIST IN HER OWN RIGHT** — As it pertains to credibility as a veteran Mass Communications guru, Jenkins’ media-savvy talents had been discovered long before she delve off into entrepreneurship. That’s because for a young, vibrant businesswoman who is currently pursuing a professional certificate in Public Relations in the Digital World from Loyola University’s Continuing Education Program, Jenkins is a longtime correspondent for the internationally-acclaimed, award-winning Gazette Chicago.

“Most recently, for the past four years, I have watched her push through any and all obstacles in pursuit of her Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality Administration with an emphasis in Food And Beverage Management,” Lisa Jenkins said of her daughter. “She started cooking when she was 10 years old. And since then, she has been the official cook at home.”

A trend that, fortunately for Lisa Jenkins, has lightened her load mightily, particularly when she becomes swamped with clients.

**A TRUE PRO** — “I have always been one who functioned by the beat of my own drum and have always really enjoyed expressing myself through writing,” Jenkins told Making Headline News this week. “I pursued many industries before I realized communications was my calling though.”

“Having someone believe in an idea you have can give you that extra push you need to try something new when you are doubting yourself and afraid of failure,” Lisa Jenkins explained. “A perfect example is I have talked for the past few years about wanting to go into PR but fear of the unknown stopped me. Last year after I decided to go back to school I started looking for jobs in PR.

“During that pursuit, I was pushed by a friend to start my own business instead, and KRA Communications, which is named after my daughter, was officially born. Something I thought I couldn’t do, I am doing just because I was inspired to do it.”

Which, of course, practically sums up why as far as this communications specialist is concerned, there is absolutely nothing wrong with, you know, beating your own drum.

Andre Johnson is Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send an email to memphisgraduate@yahoo.com. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.

Dallas Mavericks, General Assignment Reporting, NBA News, Sports, The Big Feature

Former New York Knick Derek Harper to Charles Oakley after MSG fiasco: ‘You got my support more than anything’

February 24, 2017 Andre Johnson

Y’ALL CHILL OUT: Hours after the New York Knicks fiasco involving Charles Oakley and owner James Dolan on February 8, former NBA point guard Derek Harper (left), an analyst for the Mavericks through Fox Sports Southwest who spent two seasons in New York from 1994-1996, contacted his former teammate to offer support. (Photo courtesy of The Dallas Morning News)

DALLAS — Saying that Charles Oakley “should have dealt with this situation differently,” former New York Knicks point guard Derek Harper wasted little time reaching out to his former teammate in the wake of an altercation involving Oakley and Madison Square Garden security guards on February 8.

In a statement released by the Knicks, the team said that upon arriving to the arena, Oakley behaved in a “highly inappropriate and completely abusive manner,” which led to his ejection from MSG and his subsequent arrest by the New York City Police Department.

**MADISON SQUARE SQUABBLE** — In a statement released by the Knicks, the team said that upon arriving to the arena, Oakley behaved in a “highly inappropriate and completely abusive manner,” which led to his ejection from MSG and his subsequent arrest by the New York City Police Department. The incident was believed to have been fueled by Oakley’s strained relationship with Knicks owner James Dolan, who banned Oakley a few days following the incident.

The incident was believed to have been fueled by Oakley’s strained relationship with Knicks owner James Dolan, who banned Oakley a few days following their alleged fallout. Dolan lifted the ban after meeting with Oakley and NBA commissioner Adam Silver, although Oakley, a former Knick who played 10 seasons in New York, has yet to accept the invitation and return to MSG.

A native of Cleveland, Oakley sat courtside next to Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert Thursday night to witness the Knicks drop their second consecutive game, 119-104.

Hours after the Knicks fiasco, Harper, an analyst for the Mavericks through Fox Sports Southwest who spent two seasons in New York from 1994-1996, contacted his former teammate to offer his support.

**WELCOME HOME** — A native of Cleveland, Oakley sat courtside next to Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert Thursday night to witness the Knicks drop their second consecutive game, 119-104. (Getty Images Photo)

“I texted Oak and told him he has my support more than anything,” Harper, who was drafted by the Mavericks with the 11th overall pick of the 1983 NBA Draft, told Making Headline News. “We had a dog pound in New York, and I was apart of the dog pound with Oak, so I’m not surprised he tried to protect himself. That’s who Oak is. Everybody loves Charles Oakley.”

According to the Knicks, Oakley was ejected from the arena midway through the first quarter of their game against the Los Angeles Clippers after he allegedly yelled at Dolan and refused to stop, an allegation Oakley has repeatedly disowned.

Consequently, Oakley, 53, was charged with three counts of misdemeanor assault and criminal trespassing, a development that prompted current players such as LeBron James, Chris Paul, and Dwyane Wade to hasten to various message boards to offer their support for the ex-NBA All-Star power forward.

*Guarding former Chicago Bulls great Michael Jordan in the 1996 Eastern Conference semifinals, Harper spent two seasons in New York from 1994-1996. (Getty Images Photo)*

“It’s hard because you don’t have all of the information,” said Harper, 55, when asked to assess the drama involving Oakley and the Knicks. “I’m one that don’t believe in running out talking about something unless I totally understand it. But with that being said, Charles Oakley was the heart and soul of the teams I played on in New York and he will always be respected by the fans in that city.”

Still, Harper, who played 16 seasons with four teams before retiring from the NBA in 1999, contends things could have been handled differently between Oakley and Knicks.

**BELOVED KNICK** — Harper was quite complementary of Oakley (No. 34), particularly about how he had taken ownership of his role of MSG catastrophe heard around the NBA.
“I love Oak,” Harper said. “We exchanged text messages the next morning. (Getty Images Photo)

“Dolan is the new owner now and he and Oak, for some reason, haven’t seen eye to eye,” Harper said. “He wanted, in that situation, I think for Charles to be removed from his seat and out of the arena and, if I’m Oak, I’d respect that. I’d respect what the owner of that team says and I’ll leave.

“But I think it really got blown out of proportion and escalated into something that was unfortunate for both sides in my opinion.”

All things considered, Harper was complementary of Oakley, particularly about how he had taken ownership of his role in the MSG catastrophe heard around the NBA.

Harper, a former University of Illinois All-American, was drafted by the Mavericks with the 11th overall pick of the 1983 NBA Draft. He returned to play for Dallas during the 1996-97 season. (Getty Images Photo)

“I love Oak,” Harper said. “We exchanged text messages the next morning. Oak is my confidant. That’s my guy and he’s already come out and said he should have dealt with this situation differently, and I think if he had to do it over again, he would choose not to put his hands on people.

“As an adult, I don’t want to be touched by another person, security officer or not. And I think he would admit that part of it was wrong. But it was wrong the way that they handled him as well.”

After Oakley and Dolan reportedly had met in hopes of reaching a resolution amid their fallout, Harper strongly believes it will be a matter of time that his former teammate will return to MSG.

“Absolutely, at some point,” Harper, who registered 16,006 points, 6,577 assists, and 1,957 steals during his NBA career, said. “There’s no question about it. I don’t know when. I don’t think anybody can say when it’s going to be.”