California Black Media

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By Olu Alemoru, Staff Writer --

The Los Angeles Clippers laid on some new year cheer here Monday night after beating the Portland Trailblazers and providing 150 free floor seat tickets for kids from South and Central Los Angeles.

The goodwill came courtesy of Los Angeles Civil Rights Association President Eddie Jones and Clippers’ sales executive Ron Foster and followed up from a similar outreach gesture back on Thanksgiving.

Of course, Clipper owner Donald Sterling could use good PR after he faced accusations of housing discrimination against Blacks and of running a “racist” organization from former team executive Elgin Baylor.

But Jones, who was joined by Foster and First AME board member Michael Ellis Lewis, who also brought some young parishioners, preferred to concentrate on what he saw as the positives.

“Tonight the kids get to see their first basketball game at the Staples Center with excellent seats and we have to thank Ron and Mr. Sterling,” he replied. “He [Mr. Sterling] is a human being and sometimes humans make mistakes.”

Jones revealed that after the Thanksgiving game, Foster extended another invitation and he used holiday season giving sessions and the association’s Saturday morning community radio show to spread the word about the team’s offer.

“I grew up in Leimert Park and it’s nice to give back by letting some kids come down and enjoy some NBA action,” said Foster. “It can open their eyes to the kinds of things that are in the community and the different things they can do. They can strive to be an athlete, coach or work at a venue like the Staples Center.”

And for most, it was their first trip to L.A.’s basketball Mecca.

“Yes, I’m really excited to be here,” said 11-year-old Jasmine Robeson, who attends Vanguard Learning Center in San Pedro.

The same was said by 7- and 8-year-old sisters Amaya and Diani Jackson, of Long Beach.

Although Isiah Brown, 13, who attends Lou Dantzler Prep Middle School in Los Angeles, dreamt of emulating his sporting heroes, albeit on the football field as a wide receiver or running back.