REFORM Alliance Co-Founders Michael Rubin and Meek Mill and the Philadelphia 76ers Hosted Special VIP Experience for Children

image

Yesterday, as a way to give back this holiday season, REFORM Alliance and the Philadelphia 76ers hosted a special VIP experience before and during the 76ers’ game vs. the Miami Heat for more than 25 children who have been negatively impacted by an unjust probation system (have a parent in prison for technical probation violations, have a parent who has been incarcerated for technical probation violations or had their probation extended due to a technical probation violation).

 The afternoon started with REFORM Alliance co-founders Michael Rubin and Meek Mill, Philadelphia 76ers managing partner Josh Harris, Grammy-nominated recording artist Lil Baby as well as Charli and Dixie D’Amelio, Marc and Heidi D’Amelio, REFORM CEO Robert Rooks and former 76er World B. Free surprising the kids with custom uniforms and playing basketball with them on the Philadelphia 76ers court at The Center.

Ahead of the game, the children also had the opportunity to sit alongside the celebrities for a private dinner, take part in an intimate Q&A with 76ers head coach Doc Rivers, watch player warmups from the court and receive an incredible holiday package of 76ers fan gear from Fanatics. To cap the evening, REFORM Alliance and the 76ers allowed the children to split time by watching the game courtside and from a private VIP suite. Later on Saturday, Dec. 18, REFORM co-founder Clara Wu Tsai will host a similar giveback with the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty at Barclays Center to treat children from community-based organizations focused on supporting mothers currently or formerly incarcerated to a special experience.

REFORM and its Board started this holiday tradition in 2019 (the event was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic), which provided children who have been negatively impacted by the criminal justice system with a one-of-a-kind holiday experience. The event included a shopping spree at the NBA Store in NYC with Rubin, Meek and Wu Tsai, followed by a trip to watch a Patriots home game and meet with Patriots owner and REFORM co-founder Robert Kraft.

As you may know, Rubin, Meek, Kraft, Tsai – alongside other co-founders – launched the REFORM Alliance, an organization committed to transforming probation and parole throughout the United States by changing laws, systems, and culture. The nonprofit organization formed in the aftermath of Meek’s controversial two-to-four-year prison sentence for technical probation violations (he went to prison for NOT committing a crime) in November 2017.

Video Player
 
 
 

 

COMMENTS

Leave a comment

Freddie Jackson Passes Away Just Days After Turning 70

image

Freddie Jackson, the R'n'B singer behind You Are My Lady and Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake), has died at the age of 70.

He passed away on Monday (05.10.26), just three days after celebrating his 70th birthday. A cause of death has not been announced.

Announcing his death on social media, his family wrote: "It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved Freddie Jackson, who went home to rest last night.

"Freddie was more than a legendary voice. He was a kind, generous soul who loved his fans, his family, his friends, and his music with everything he had. For decades, he gave us the songs that became the soundtrack to our love stories, our celebrations, and our most treasured memories. That gift will live on forever.

"To everyone who ever sang along, danced, or felt something when Freddie took the stage: thank you. You were family to him, and he carried your love with him always.

"Please keep his family, friends, and loved ones in your prayers during this difficult time. Details regarding arrangements and how to honor his legacy will be shared in the coming days.

"Rest in peace, Freddie. Your legacy and your voice will live on forever."

Freddie began his professional music journey in the late 1970s as a member of California funk band Mystic Merlin. He later moved back to the East Coast and found his direction in R'n'B.

A string of successful releases in the mid 1980s established him as one of the genre’s leading singers. Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake), You Are My Lady, Have You Ever Loved Somebody, Jam Tonight and Do Me Again became some of his best known songs and earned him a lasting presence on the US charts.

His career also extended to cinema. He joined Irene Cara for the duet Love Survives, featured in the 1989 animated film All Dogs Go to Heaven, and later made an acting appearance in the cult crime drama King of New York.

Freddie continued making music for decades, with his last album, Love Signals, arriving in 2018. He followed it in 2020 with Why, a single addressing racial injustice.

COMMENTS

Leave a comment