Founding Members of Athletes for Africa

Dusty Baker

Dusty Baker was hired as the manager of the Cincinnati Reds in October, 2007. He is the first African-American manager in franchise history. Born and raised in California, Baker was drafted right out of high school by the Altanta Braves in 1967. He played 19 years, for the Braves, the San Francisco Giants, and the Oakland A’s. Among his numerous honors were the National League Championship Series MVP in 1977 and a Gold Glove in 1981.Prior to joining the Reds organization, Baker was manager for the Giants and the Chicago Cubs, earning the NL Manager of the Year honors in 1993, 1997, and 2000.

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Reggie Bush

Reginald Alfred “Reggie” Bush was born on March 2, 1985 in San Diego, California. Reggie is an American football player who plays for the New Orleans and formerly for the University of Southern California (USC). He played running back/ tailback, wide receiver, and punt and kickoff returner for the team. He is generally recognized as one of the best running backs in college football history due to his speed, agility, evasiveness, and outstanding instincts on the gridiron. In the summer of 2009, Reggie Bush took a trip to South Africa and Botswana with the Diamond Empowerment Fund.

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Ray Crockett

As a stellar fourteen year NFL corner, Ray Crockett spent five years with the Detroit Lions 89-93, seven with the Denver Broncos 94-00 and two with Kansas City Chiefs 01-02. An important note here is that Ray Crockett, serving as captain, was a member of Denver’s Back to Back World Championship teams in ‘97 and ’98, earning him two rings for Super Bowls XXXII and XXXIII. A graduate of Baylor University, Ray has been very active in business and entertainment as well. He owns several companies and has been in movies, on TV shows and on radio stations across the U.S. Ray’s heart lies within his community. He has hosted charity events that have helped benefit numerous charities including the American Cancer Society, The Lupus Foundation and The Children’s Charities.

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LeBron James

LeBron James
LeBron Raymone James (born December 30, 1984) is an American professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).Nicknamed “King James,” he was a three-time “Mr. Basketball” of Ohio in high school, and was highly promoted in the national media as a future NBA superstar while a sophomore at St. Vincent–St. Mary High School. At just 18, he was selected with the number one pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Cavaliers. Listed as a small forward, James has set numerous youngest player records since joining the league. He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2003–04, NBA Most Valuable Player in 2008–09, and has been both All-NBA and an All-Star every season since 2005. The focal point of the Cleveland offense, James has led the team to consecutive playoff appearances from 2006 through 2009. In 2007, the Cavaliers advanced to the Conference Finals for the first time since 1992 and ultimately to the 2007 NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. James has also been a member of the USA national team, winning a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics and gold at the 2008 Olympics.

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Rick Smith

Rick Smith enters his third season as Texans general manager after being maned to the post on June 5, 2006. He signed a contract extension through the 2012 season on June 3, 2008. Over the last two seasons, Smith has re-shaped the Texans roster that recorded a franchise-best eight wins in 2007. For his efforts in pulling the Texans closer to becoming a winner, Smith received the prestigious Tank Younger Award in 2008 presented annually by the Fritz Pollard Alliance for outstanding work in an NFL front office.

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Serena Williams

Serena Williams embodies style, power, beauty and courage. Like numerous A-list celebrities, Serena is recognized by the mere mention of her first name. Only 27, Serena has overcome insurmountable odds to win 8 career Grand Slams, and become one the game’s greatest all-time players. Her remarkable tennis skills have skyrocketed her to fame, but only her unique charm and drive could explain her successful endeavors outside of tennis in film, television, fashion and philanthropy. Serena has high hopes for the 2008 season after her dominating performance in the most recent Australian Open. Her tennis ability combined with her off-court activity makes her one of the most recognizable names and faces in the world - an icon.

Serena was born September 26, 1981 in Saginaw, Michigan, to Richard Williams and Oracene Price. While still an infant, the family moved to Compton, California where she began playing tennis at the age of four. At nine, Serena and her family moved to West Palm Beach, Florida. Since that time, she has become one of the most dominant figures in tennis.

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