South Fulton Medical Center has joined efforts with L.E.A.D., a nonprofit organization that impacts inner city middle and high school student athletes by preparing them to compete for college scholarships. South Fulton Medical Center is sponsoring a free baseball clinic for 5-13 year old boys and girls, hosted by L.E.A.D., from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Saturday, July 31 at the John A. Milner Sports Complex, 3900 Randall Street, East Point, GA 30344. Registration begins at 11 a.m. or prior to July 31 at www.lead2legacy.org. The clinic begins at 11:30 a.m.

Special celebrity guest and clinic organizer is Atlanta native C.J. Stewart, L.E.A.D. founder and former Chicago Cubs outfielder.

“South Fulton Medical Center is proud to sponsor L.E.A.D. and host this great event in our neighborhood,” says James Clements, SFMC CEO. “C.J. Stewart and L.E.A.D. are great assets to our community for their generous initiatives of mentoring young people.”

“We are thankful to South Fulton Medical Center for sponsoring this fun family event in East Point,” says Stewart. “Their support allows us to continue our mission of reaching out to local children and teenagers and guide them on a path to higher education and community stewardship.”

Other free activities include a moon bounce and face painting and health screenings from South Fulton Medical Center.

About L.E.A.D. and C.J. Stewart

C.J. Stewart grew up in one of Atlanta’s most dangerous housing projects, Hollywood Courts. His story is a perfect example of the phrase, “where you started doesn’t determine where you finish.” Although statistically the odds were stacked against him, Stewart used the sport of baseball to transcend statistics and become a compassionate, engaged member of society. Through the help of kind strangers in his community, he was able to play competitive baseball in high school and ultimately showcase his talents in front of college programs. This exposure led to a baseball scholarship at Georgia State University and an opportunity for Stewart to be drafted by the Chicago Cubs.

Now Stewart is doing the same for inner city teens in Atlanta through his nonprofit organization, L.E.A.D. (Launch, Expose, Advise, Direct). Through L.E.A.D.,
Stewart is providing a way for talented inner city middle and high school student athletes to use baseball as a means of paying for college and to promote excellence in academics, service and civic engagement. L.E.A.D.’s ultimate goal is to develop college bound, civically engaged student athletes who are prepared to be positive change agents in their communities. The families that L.E.A.D. serves don’t have the discretionary income necessary to create these educational opportunities through baseball for their sons, but through L.E.A.D., these talented student-athletes have a proven system that is creating a formal pipeline from inner city baseball fields to college baseball fields all over the country. To date, 83% of L.E.A.D.’s Ambassador Student Athletes received college baseball scholarship opportunities and 100% are enrolled in college programs.

 Two local student athletes are current L.E.A.D. Ambassadors. Demetrius Booker is a 2010 graduate of Tri-Cities High School and will be attending Selma University on a baseball scholarship this fall. Darvell Booker will be a sophomore at Tri-Cities High School this fall. Learn more by visiting www.lead2legacy.org.