To all of our friends, families and fans,

I know it has been a very long time since we have sent out a diary entry from Demetrius "Hook" Mitchell. The only excuse; he has been extraordinarily busy with some incredible projects.

The film was finally released on DVD on October 12th and sales have been strong. We still believe that the film has room to grow and we are working tiresly to continue to spread the word. The message boards have been extremely active and the guestbook has received some inspirational testimonies. We read everything that is posted and we pass along as much as we can to Hook as well.

This film is an evolution...We are not nearly done.

So, happy holidays and a happy new year to all. Let's continue to build this incredible movement together and get this film to as many people as possible.

Please spread the word! Sign the guestbook, go on the message board and register!

Stay tuned, stay connected and stay peaceful.

Team Hooked
Michael Skolnik & William O'Neill - Directors
Rob Stone & Jon Cohen - Producers

TO BUY THE DVD PLEASE VISIT: WWW.VIDEOSPACE.COM

To all who have been in my corner, and who have been a big inspiration in my life, most of you may not understand or know how inspiring you all have been but I will show you the tools and traits I have learned over the years from you. Gods willing.

1/8 - 1/9/05

It has been a long time since I last wrote to you. I have still been writing and still aiming towards inspiring myself, my family, my community, and hopefully the world. This is just a portion of all the things I have been a part of and I have been doing for the last 9 months. Surely, my words cannot describe how much my interior feels as well as the fluorescent glow of joy I have on my exterior (with myself, Project Straight Path Board Members, Lou Richie, Tony Freccero and the bay area community).

This has been the most humbling act I have ever been a part of. I worked so hard for the 51 months I was incarcerated. To not only help myself but also bring an inspiration or a shed of hope to the eyes of the youth of my community. To provide kids with a FREE camp, so their families can rest at ease of all the economical woes of today's depressive state.

As the past 9 months have flown by, my plight is the same: Save lives by "Any Means Necessary."

This weekend was a very special weekend for me, as I was holding the First Annual Hook Mitchell New Year's Camp for bay area youth. The admission was free.

So, I had to go out an receive help from some of the "powerful" people that I have as my support network, like Mr. John Valentine, Mr. Jason Scott, Reebok, Golden State Warriors, Drew Gooden, my main man Aaron Goodwin, and Gary Payton.

These individuals are the one's on the super star level, but the one's I am most proud of are the average human beings.

Like Miss Regina Jackson, and whole staff at the EOYDC, Hook Inc., etc., they all provide their incredible services free of charge.

The first day we started the camp off with everyone introducing themselves to each other with a firm handshake and eye contact. This entails that when you meet someone you embrace their essence. [ And we ended the camp on that note with all the kids introducing themselves to all the parents and adults in the gym.]

The essence of the camp was the slogan "what you learn you live, what you live you practice, what you practice you become, what you become has consequences."

The day was filled with the kids having fun, working hard and a piece from our past. Uncle Sam Robinson came and showed the whole camp chains from the slavery days, he had some handcuffs with "Negro Woman and "child" on it. It was a reality check because we had children and parents from other ethnicities.

Then, we had the KMEL street team out (KMEL is Oakland's #1 Hip-Hop Station)

The first day we had 40 kids having fun learning different things and building character, plus, honing their basketball drills.

They even had me out diving on the floor demonstrating loose ball drills, taking charges and a host of other fundamental drills.

We provided lunch, refreshments and even breakfast. (This is a first for me. I have never seen breakfast being served.)

We were gearing for our second day, with another first in store.

We had placed together some prominent role models from the community (Mr. Mason [Dean of Bishop O,Dowd High School] , Pat Richie-Milton [retired teacher of 30 years], Dr. Tom Arnold, Dr. Wendi Wilson [Dentists], Ms. Mary Morrison [best selling author], Mr. Leonard Thompson [mortgage lender], Officer Scott, Reginald Lewis[barber], Lonnie [doctor]) We also had Brian Shaw, Greg Hodges (mayor elect) and E-A Ski (one of Oakland's hottest record producers.)

We had about four different camera men/women working the event. The event was also pumped up on KMEL by Chuy Gomez, Tony C (from NY) Dj'd the event. We even had radio, play about the event the following the day.

Day two was more exciting because Lou brought out the cones. The "Cones" is a jumping drill that doesn,t allow you to cheat.

Tony kept them on edge as he had them clapping and chanting. Plus, the three sounds of the whistle had them in their defense stands on call. This electrified the second day plus the speakers allow them to balance the understanding that life is much bigger than sports. They also learned they have a better chance at winning the lottery, than they have at making the NBA/WNBA.

All this and I had an interview with Ghetto Basketball Association (G.B.A) a DVD/Magazine from Minnesota. They are representing a speaking tour for me to speak to youth around the country to help the youth stay on the straight path.

It was an incredible weekend and I can,t wait for the next one. No matter where you are in the world if you want to attend contact me, and I will make sure you get registered. Maybe we will even play one on one.

All challengers welcomed!

My most humblest peace and blessings goes out to everybody that played a role in making this special event possible. May GOD reward you all for your most kind

deed. Demetrius "Hook" Mitchell
Hook Inc. / Founder

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