Today was a very tremendous day for me. I was in the mecca of B-ball. I was a natural out here, when I came to Rocker Park I had everyone on their heels. I captured the young kids eyes as I worked with NBA Entertainment. (Right now I'm sitting here with Fab Five Freddy and Bobbito.) I showed the kids I can dunk, as I jumped over three kids. Then I dunked over B-Ward sitting in a chair. Then I captured their hearts with a session as I spoke from the heart, at a q & a. Then I signed autographs, passed balls, 'Urban Legend' and 'Hooked' t-shirts. They loved me as I took about one hour with them. They fall in love with me.

But first I was at the NBA offices with the people behind the NBA players. David (Coop) Cooper, J.P., Mr. Bass, Ms. Leah Wilcox, and the whole NBA Entertainment. I had security, children and others come up to me saying they seen my film and it was inspiring. Everywhere I go someone knows me.

I had been in NY for ten hours and had stole hearts. And missing themembers at the First Annual Hook Mitchell Life's B-Ball Clinic.

I had interviews with MTV, Fader etc. Representing Oakland and the urban community. I am having the ball of my life. B and I are living.

I am sitting with Fab Five, Team Hooked, and NY's Finest.

I met more superstars in one day than I ever had. I had to do a TV promo for MTV, with Twista and had about 10 takes.

After the game I met Fat Joe and Remi Martin. He said he heard a lot about me. But I couldn't play because it was the playoffs. They turned down Ricky Davis last night.

Reebok sent me some Olympic AI gear and extras.

I have never seen B-Ball like this on the street. It was what I experienced during my early playing days. It was the love of the game and support of the fans and community. I plan to try and bring it back to Oakland.

Afterwards we went out on the music scene, in which I met Pharell and Chad, his partner from VA. (Neptunes).

Then I had to make my prayers because I was in the spotlight and in V.I.P. mode all day (celebrity status). After everyone was coming up to me as they seen MTV interviewing me. It was crazy. I was in the big metropolitan New York and was receiving V.I.P. treatment and everyone has heard of me.

8/13/04

Today started with me rising early to praise my Lord. And I only had minimal rest because I was still very excited when we arrived back at Michael Skolnik's crib.

I had to wake up early because this is a business trip. Yesterday was off the chain as I was with some of the hottest urban culture superstars. And my big brother B was right there with me. This was a unique experience for me and I was only out of prison four months. Imagine that. God is the Greatest.

Today is another big day as we are going to Canal Street. Bumble wants to go there. Then we have a full day and then some. J. Kidd wants to hook up after his workout. We have the opportunity to go back to Times Square where I met with Mos Def yesterday. B and I took pictures with him and my new partna Shareef. Then I have the most esteemed honor to meet with my NYC family over at Cornerstone/Fader headquarters where I will meet the ones who have done all the hard work in promoting me. I have been waiting for this since I came home from prison. Team Hooked as I call them. They are the ones that are behind the wheels of steel. I have pushed this whole project to the fullest. God is the greatest for placing them in my life.

Brother Shareef has been a great help to us since B Ward left his camera and he had his. We took pictures yesterday in Times Square in front of everything we could. We took the subway from Brooklyn to Uptown. We took pictures in the subway. We went by Macy Project. There's not enough time in the day for us. But as I said earlier this is a business trip. As I crossed paths with these big people all I was doing was performing what two special people has advised me to do in the business world. As my sista Alice Ward said, ask everyone you meet for a business card. And my creed has instilled in me to give everyone a firm handshake and look them straight in the eyes.

I am hurting because I am not with the youth in Oakland and another part of the Team Hooked, the staff at the Hook Mitchell B-Ball Camp. But I am representing myself in a humble, respectful and uplifting manner for them and making a way for the future of the youth.

If God did not place two beautiful individuals in my life right now none of this would be possible. Mike Skolnik and Rob Stone you two are the greatest.

I am up on about three or four hours of rest and my big brotha B. Ward is tired. I ran him into the ground yesterday and plus the flight took a lot out of him.

I have so much energy right now. I feel like my main man Master P, he says all you need is like four hours of rest as you are attempting to make it happen. Aaron Goodwin too, is one of those hardworking men that rest little. I miss him right now, as he and his family are vacationing. I pray we all have a safe trip back and I also pray that I start this marriage with Reebok soon.

I felt like what my big brotha Rob Stone envisioned for me yesterday. He envisioned me taking over NYC. I felt like Frank White yesterday. I felt like the King of NYC as I met two unique young men who have been promoted me. My two new players from Miwaukee, Latonya (LT) and Ladim. They have been promoting me all over NYC. Tag teaming, promoting me.

On this business trip we had time to view the beautiful sites of the city.

This morning B and I went to Canal Street, then to the 1515 Broadway Viacom/VHS and MTV studios to meet Mr. Tuma, my man at MTV. Everyone is asking about the t-shirts. We have even posted them on the website that's about promoting teen entrepreneurship.

Rob Stone is the best, he is turning us around and putting me out on the market. Everything I have done is because of him, Michael and Fader. He has put on a big party for me at Fader. It feels special to be a part of something that wants to help you for all the right reasons. He is a God-sent person to me. On my way to Fader I spoke to my camp by phone and they loved it. It was something telling me to call and called at the right time. I spoke to one of the campers, Mr. Langston, and he said on behalf of everyone there, thank you for holding the camp. That was a big feeling to have the whole camp applaud me in the background, in respect of me. I told them I dunked over B Ward sitting in a chair, and over three kids from the camp here in NYC at the basketball playground Mecca.

Then it happened. I met everyone from Fader/Cornerstone, Bounce, Razor & Tie, MTV and the rest of my East Coast family. It was the greatest of feelings as we stepped off the elevator all I could do was smile as if I was reborn, reconnecting with those who have been promoting me before I had the chance to promote the new me that God had allowed me to be through my incarceration. I love all of them. The only people I miss from my East Coast family are my people at Reebok.

This was a big day for me. From MTV, to speaking to my campers by phone, to meeting my new surrogate family. To you all, I love you and thank you for the support. I won't let you all down. Let's push this project to its apex for our future with the youth. Then to a photo shoot where I was caravanned with my bodyguards, young Derek, and my two nephews, Landon and Latwon. We went to a photo shoot at West 4th Street Park. I truly felt what my big brotha Rob Stone mentioned to me yesterday. I had captured New York. I was the King of New York.

To top it off, I received a call from my Godson Lil B, who said that he had won the 3-point contest at the ripe age of 7. Watch out world for the next star in the making, Bernard Jajon Ward Jr. Mark my words. It's your God Daddy. Peace, Love and Respect for the support. I love all of you, from the adversaries to those that love life.

Peace Let's stay tuned for what God has up next for Team Hooked: could you imagine how many influential people I connected with in the last two days? Plus all the lives I touched in the past week. I have met a group of beautiful people the last couple of days. Some with superstar status, some with national acclaim and the list goes down from the two youngsters from Milwaukee (Latwon and Ladon) to the average hard working individual, to the young men and women I met from Jackie Robinson Rec Center in Harlem. But the most special people I had the pleasure of meeting was Team Hooked. From the time I arrived in NY, I was greeted by my three heroes, my father (Charles Stone) and my two brothers Mike Skolnik and Rob Stone. They have allowed me to grow to be the person God has chiseled me to be.

This trip has sealed the hearts of Team Hooked: I believe they now feel I am the real deal.

Even though I had to leave my Camp back in Cali, it was a much needed trip on the business side for me and Team Hooked. This will promote the film for MTV in which Twista will be hosting and it will open doors for my non-profit program back in Oakland that will uplift the consciousness of my community and to whoever feels the essence of the film Hooked: The Legend of Demetrius 'Hook' Mitchell. And that entails hope in the eyes of the youth and those who have experienced struggle. This will allow them to know no matter what you go through good can come out of it, if it's the struggle of prison, if it's the struggle of being an orphan or being placed in an impoverished situation or even a situation in which you have fallen off the top and God has humbled you for whatever reason or another. You can still pull through with patience, perseverance and faith in God. Ameen.

I walked into some of the premiere places in NYC. I was greeted by everyone with the most respect and I felt like I belong in the hearts and souls of these most remarkable places. From the NBA Entertainment headquarters to MTV headquarters to my NY home, Fader and Cornerstone Palace.

I have my work cut out for me. My path has been set, now it's time for me to wake the naked eye so everyone can see happiness.

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