From NOLA FOR LIFE
The Solution Starts With Us
5 Questions for...
DJ Wild Wayne
Radio personality DJ Wild Wayne has been a longtime role model and public figure in the New Orleans community. Recognizing and wanting to do something about the city's murder culture, he decided to use his influence to help create positive opportunities for young men. Joining with NOLA FOR LIFE efforts, DJ Wild Wayne is an integral part of Midnight Basketball. Sharing the details of Midnight Basketball with his listeners and lending his talent and voice every week, he is committed to seeing change in the lives of New Orleans youth.
NOLA FOR LIFE: Why do you think Midnight Basketball is so important for these young men?
Wild Wayne: First off, it's a safe and inviting environment to get young men off the street in a state of the art facility and to get a great work out and work on team skills. Secondly, structured competition can be a productive life lesson and an asset to be used in the real world. Many young men look at competition in the real world as threatening, which is not always true. Competition when assessed properly can be a motivating factor for betterment on and off the court. Additionally, there's simply not enough positive activities for young men in New Orleans PERIOD, so any and all extra ones can have a positive impact. Also, adding JOB 1 and other resource tables is a great way to get these guys information that they might not otherwise get.
N4L: What kind of positive behavior have you noticed throughout the first three seasons?
WW: I've seen many of these young men build camaraderie, participate without violence if the game isn't going their way and increase their basketball skills. These guys seem to be genuinely appreciative of having an outlet every Saturday to get quality runs in a peaceful and structured environment. Also the weekly enrichment speakers are a great addition as well. The speakers have been diverse and having them speak to a captive audience gets a serious life lesson across.
N4L: How do you encourage young people to get involved in NOLA FOR LIFE?
WW: Primarily, I encourage people to participate when I'm on the air or often on social media and even word of mouth. I also encourage other young people to come by and see and become peer to peer beacons.
N4L: Why was teaming up with NOLA FOR LIFE so important to you?
WW: I was excited about having the opportunity bring my positivity to N4L. Since I have been a fixture in the community for many years and have championed community outreach, it was only natural to be involved with another positive outlet. Also, since I am a die-hard, born & raised New Orleanian, it was important to me because in my life and career I have already represented N4L, so it was a great fit. And I also believe it was important for youth and the new era of New Orleanians to see someone that they readily associated with and trusted to be a part of N4L.
