The 12th Annual Brotherhood Crusade Jim Cleamons Books and Basketball Camp will take place August 1 through August 5 at Augustus Hawkins High School, 825 West 60th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90037.

Books and Basketball will provide one hundred 9-15 year old youths an opportunity to mix academics with athletics, learning math and science, financial education, social and personal life skills, health and nutrition tips, therapeutic chess, yoga, and of course, basketball.

Former assistant New York Knicks Coach Jim Cleamons, a wealth of former NBA players, and a cadre of inspiring keynote speakers and guests will be part of the festivities this year.

This year’s Books and Basketball Camp features daily hands-on science experiments taught by the California Science Center and financial education taught by Chase, life skills taught by Common Cents Development Corporation and Bobby Porter, and interactive chess taught by Chess Tutors.

Camp participants will be treated to an all-star line-up of coaches including basketball legends Aaron James, Ricky Sobers, Bobby Porter, Bobbie Porter, Jr., Jasmine Porter, Travis Sobers, Brian Wright, Dion Wright, Jr., Sherrie Sessions, Caroline Dawson, La Sandra Dixon, Taelor Bakewell, Dr. Diandra Bremond, James Jones and, of course, Coach Jim Cleamons.

SP-Brother bball camp
George Weaver interacting with students on the first day of the Books and Basketball Camp, August 3, 2015 (Amanda Scurlock/ LA Sentinel)

“It’s the Network!!!” said ABA/NBA legend and camp co-founder James Jones.  “I know it sounds like a cliché, but Brotherhood Crusade has assembled strong and dedicated community partners like  CAM, Toyota, The Gas Company, Wells Fargo, The California Endowment, Bank of America, State Farm Insurance, Microsoft, Nielsen, Southern California Edison, Frontier Communications, Southwest Airlines, California Science Center, Verizon, AEG, Enterprise Holdings, MUFG Union Bank, US Soccer Foundation, California Community Foundation, American Honda Motor Company, Inc., Los Angeles Sentinel Newspaper, American Airlines, City of Los Angeles GRYD, Ralphs, Comerica Bank, SEIU 2015, Ivie, McNeill & Wyatt, Xerox, UDW, 3090 AFSCME, Supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas, Councilman Curren Price and Councilmember Marqueece Harris Dawson.

“I am honored to have such strong and committed partners” said Bremond.  “Our corporate partners raise the bar when it comes to corporate philanthropy.  Their commitment is evident from the moment you meet any of their representatives.”

To make a contribution to the Brotherhood Crusade, send a tax-deductible gift to: Brotherhood Crusade 200 East Slauson Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90011 (323) 846-1649 www.brotherhoodcrusade.org or  www.facebook.com/bcrusade.