Chief Executive Officer
Creston was born and raised in Peoria, IL. He is a graduate of Garfield Elementary, Blaine Sumner Middle School, and Manual High School all located in the city’s South Side. This is where he was able to connect to the city and it's residents through personal relationships and also through athletic competition and sporting events. Having such achievements such as winning a City Basketball Championship at Blaine Sumner and then moving on to Manual High School to become part of 4 time state Championship run and also a member of USA Today's 1997 High Schools Boys Basketball National Championship Team which was coached by the late Wayne McClain whom was also named USA Today's High School Boys Basketball Coach of the Year that same year. This team was also invited to nation’s capitol to be recognized for their achievements by then Commander in Chief Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore.
Creston was granted the opportunity to leave the comfort of his city, home and family and accepted a full athletic scholarship to attend South Plains College located in Levelland, TX. This is where he obtained the
skills to survive without familiarity and to accept change and to overcome obstacles. In conclusion of his freshman year in Texas he returned back to his home state to earn his Associates degree at Lincoln College in Lincoln, IL and then concluding his collegiate career at Robert Morris College in Chicago ,IL.
Following college this free spirited individual found himself over the years residing in several states including Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Texas seeking his purpose and he found it. He found purpose and promise in Humanity. Building positive relationships within different communities became a common thing. He held multiple positions within the Public School System through all of these states. He became a specialist and excelled exceptionally well working with students and individuals that were intellectually disabled and students receiving special education services. He gained a passion to help those with behavior concerns, autism, special needs, and also individuals with traumatic brain injuries. He also is an advocate for Special Olympics and coached several different sports in annual competition across the country.
Personal
Creston is the sole creator, producer and host of the all new "Give em Flowers Friday's" which is a live podcast that airs on YouTube and
Facebook Live on Friday evenings at 8pm CST. He is the younger brother of ex Manual High School and Depaul University basketball star Willie Coleman. Willie holds the boys varsity basketball head coaching position at Peoria Manual High School. A big kid at heart you can find him playing NBA 2K on PlayStation when he's not following his dreams and aspirations.
Urban Consultant
Marc Anthony Porch is a social scientist, as he's called by his elder statesmen Sudan Mahmoud. He launched Black Ball in Peoria, Illinois November of 1995 at Peoria Northwoods Mall. He was the first black person to own and operate a store in this mall. Marc is a life long Baseball historian, as a child his elders were amazed at how he would give them real time box scores statistics on a daily basis from reading the sports section of the local newspaper.
He's been intrigued and fascinated with history, the actual facts which is truth all his life. Marc realized many of the great players he would read about in the sports section of his local newspaper were great Black men. He understood Negro League Baseball was much more than just baseball. The owners, men and women, were the foundation of the economic business base that was Black Wall Street nationwide. The Black Ball Caravan will be the driving force in the revitalization of the once pristine business communities nationwide.
Our focus still will be honoring the Negro League teams, players, owners and to partner with MLB, to revitalize little league baseball in the inner cities, to shape and mold the next-generation players, businessmen and businesswomen. It's an honor to be Barnstorming for the past and present living legends of the Negro Leagues.
Board of Directors
Mr. Robert Johnson Jr. grew up on Peoria, Illinois south side. Attended Roosevelt Magnet School and Manual High School. Played basketball at both schools where he won city and state championships. Parents are Robert & Gail Johnson who are both active in the community and father is the first black park district President in Illinois. “My mission is to continue what my parents have started themselves as to make the south side of Peoria live up to the potential we all know it has”.
Board of Directors
Kevin Butler (K.B.) was born and raised in Peoria, Illinois. Kevin grew up attending District 150 Peoria Public Schools and is a 1998 graduate of Peoria High School. Kevin currently resides in Indianapolis, Indiana. Over the past 17 years Kevin has and continues to work in Public Education, holding several administrative and school leadership titles and responsibilities.
At Peoria High Kevin played basketball for 4 years under Legendary Coaches Chuck Buescher and Dan Ruffin Sr. After high school Kevin went on to attend Illinois Central College from 1998 to 2000, where he began his college basketball career under the leadership of two more Legendary Coaches, Carrol Herman and Tony Wysinger. After 2 years at ICC Kevin continued his education and basketball career at the First Private HBCU, Wilberforce University, in Wilberforce Ohio. Butler played 2 seasons at Wilberforce University, where he went on to receive his bachelor’s degree in Social Work.
In 2005 Butler relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana where he immediately began working, mentoring, and coaching basketball, in the city of Indianapolis Public and Charter Schools. During this time Butler was able to help jump start the Athletic and Basketball Program at Indianapolis Lighthouse Charter School, where he served as the Head Varsity Basketball Coach from 2014-2017. During his first season as head coach his team held a 19-4 record and were Champions of the 2014-2015 ICST (Indiana Christian State Tournament). In 2017 Coach Butler accepted the offer to become the Head Varsity Basketball Coach at Charles A. Tindley Accelerated High School where he coached for 2 seasons, winning a Sectional Championship during the 2017-2018 season. Butler is currently going into his 3rd season as the Head J.V. Coach at Historical Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis. Butler enjoys traveling, spending time with his family, and learning new things.
Butler believes through diligent works and efforts “Performing Open
Hearts” will be a hand in providing supports and resources to the City of Peoria and beyond. Butler is honored to be a part of the “Performing Open Hearts” team and looks forward to partnering and building relationships with current and future residents, families, and community leaders.
Board of Directors
Jerome Williams is a lover of life who hails from the southside of Chicago, IL. From an early age he realized that he had a responsibility to help empower, encourage and uplift others. With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies he worked in long term healthcare for a decade; where he used his ability to connect to serve families and patients accordingly. His work with ailing seniors showed him clearly that
he wanted to do something greater to impact and help the youth. His mission to help the youth, led him to create a conflict resolution course intended primarily for young Black males from ages 9 to 13 years old. His passion to serve certainly isn't limited to the youth; he also functions as a Certified Health and Wellness Coach and a Certified Life Coach for clients of all ages and backgrounds. He has had such an incredible journey in health and wellness that it compelled him to share and help others on their fitness journey. Life Coaching is something he finds extremely rewarding and worthwhile. He lives from a place of true service. He's a loving and dedicated husband and father of two. All that he does and creates is with the intention of helping humanity heal and deal. Jerome's approach to life is one of understanding that we all benefit from increasing our awareness; individually and collectively, and in doing so we can truly make the world a better place.
We love our customers, so feel free to visit during normal business hours.
3105 North Twelve Oaks Drive, Peoria, Illinois 61604, United States
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Performing Open Hearts
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