Davis, Fizer and Williams Help Honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Jerome Williams addressed the children in an impromptu speech inspiring them to research the lives of past leaders and heroes, including Dr. King.

Jan. 19, 2004 (Chicago) -- Chicago Bulls players Antonio Davis, Marcus Fizer and Jerome Williams recently spent an afternoon with nearly 200 children from Chicago’s Duncan YMCA to commemorate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

As part of its ongoing Read To Achieve program, the Bulls coordinated the January 16 event in conjunction with the national holiday of Dr. King’s birthday.

Fan favorite Jerome Williams (a.k.a. Junk Yard Dog) tipped-off the festivities by teaching the children a short rap that he personally wrote highlighting the importance of reading and education.

The Bulls forward also addressed the children in an impromptu speech inspiring them to research the lives of past leaders and heroes, including Dr. King. The trio of players then split up to host the children in small groups.

Marcus Fizer read about Dr. King to the preschoolers before completing coloring projects with them.

Jerome Williams also read about the civil rights activist prior to helping the elementary students create a timeline of highlights from King’s life.

Antonio Davis hosted a group discussion with the oldest students to share thoughts on civil rights history and the leaders, past and present, that have significantly affected the lives of Americans today.

Marcus Fizer read about Dr. King to the preschoolers before completing coloring projects with them.

As part of its year-long Read To Achieve program, the Bulls host frequent reading events for local children, build a reading and learning center in the Chicago area, distribute 5,000 books locally, host a book drive and coordinate a spelling bee for Chicagoland students.

As part of the program, the Bulls have enlisted the support of an All-Star Reading Team including players and their relatives, Chicago dignitaries, local media members and Bulls representatives.

Members of the Bulls 2003.04 All-Star Reading Team include Bulls players Tyson Chandler, Marcus Fizer and Scottie Pippen; Bulls representatives B.J. Armstrong, John Paxson, Bob Love, Bill Wennington and Tom Dore; local dignitaries Mayor Richard M. Daley, Mary Dempsey and Arne Duncan; and media members Eric Ferguson, Kathy Hart, John Howell, Allison Rosati, Ray Stevens and Harry Teinowitz.