Two years ago, former Filling the Lane member Kworweinaki Lafontant, now holding a Master’s in Exercise Science and working on his PhD, delivered a heartfelt and impactful speech at an event celebrating the organization's growth and achievements. In his speech, Lafontant reflected on how the program shaped his identity, broadened his perspective, and fostered a deep sense of community. His words offer valuable lessons on faith, perseverance, and the importance of giving back, continuing to inspire those involved with Filling the Lane today.
Good Evening everyone, thank you for coming. I’d like to give you something right off the bat, and that’s my word that this won’t be long. You’re looking at roughly 9-10 minutes, and I’ll make it worth your time so bear with me.
It’s a pleasure to be here with you all today. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Kworweinski like Coach Miller said. I am a child of God, master’s student at the University of South Florida, Exercise Physiologist, and a former member of FTL. The last time I was at this event, we were back inside the Winter Haven rec center on Avenue T, with the basketball court all decked out, and to look at us here now, we made it. It’s incredible to see the growth of this program and all it has been able to accomplish. Of course its after you leave that all the good stuff happens though. Adidas sponsorship, plane flights, Jordan’s for every player. I’m not saying that I’m keeping tabs, but a brother noticed.
But like I said, it’s incredible to see what we have accomplished as an organization. And I say “we” because each and every one of us have played a part in the mission of FTL: bridging the gaps between sports, education, and community. We’ve made a difference in the lives of so many young people around us. And so, I’d like to take a minute and illustrate that difference by telling you about my experience as a kid in this program and what I got out of it.
Identity
First and foremost, I solidified my identity. FTL was the last team I ever played for. Thanks to FTL, I was recruited to play for a D3 college up in Michigan. What I later found out was that I was being bamboozled by God himself. Luring me out of the sunshine and familiar community here at home, I followed the promise of basketball to the grey skies of Michigan only to find an overrecruited class of freshmen and a slew of cuts that left me holding back tears in a cold shower. Mistakenly, I had left my identity in something that could be so easily taken away. And for the players here, I want to caution you against that same mistake. You could get injured, you could get cut, you could just altogether decide to stop playing on your own. You’ll check into a game for the last time in your life, and only a lucky few will ever be aware that it’s the end. The identity of “hooper” and “athlete” doesn’t last forever.
But during my time playing here, my identity was solidified. Not as a hooper, or an athlete, but as a Child of God. I had always believed, but I didn’t come from a church-going background. Sundays were for working so that food and a roof were possible. I knew God, but I wasn’t well versed in his word and what he tells us about himself. But wouldn’t you know it, in a basketball team, in a community youth program, Jesus finds his way. We couldn’t leave the parking lot for a tournament without someone saying a prayer. We could eat at a restaurant without someone blessing the food, often someone singled out by Coach for never having experience praying in a group. We started every game with what I would later find out was the Lord’s Prayer. We drove long miles on the highway with Coach often playing Gospel music and saying we didn’t know nothing about this. These little practices were seeds in my faith and in my identity, seeds that I would later water greatly in college once the mask of “hooper” was pulled from me and I was left bare, with nothing but the Lord’s grace to cover me. Those seeds were planted here, for me, and I hope those same seeds are being planted for you all right now. Before every meal, before every trip, on every highway and every huddle.
Perspective
Keeping with the theme, I want to talk about a similar thing that I got out of this program, and that is perspective. In so many ways, this program opened my eyes to the world and to life. For starters, I got to travel the U.S. I’ve been to Tennessee, Maryland, Virginia, Louisiana, and so many more places because of FTL and it’s vision to use basketball before basketball uses us. Like I said, life as a “hooper” ends one day, and when that day comes you need to have an identity outside of that to keep life going. But before that day comes, wring every last drop of opportunity that you can out of this game. Use the tournaments as a way to visit new places. Use the traveling to tour different colleges and institutions that will open your eyes to different options in life that might not be present here in Central Florida. Use these coaches as mentors and subsequent letters of recommendation to help propel you in whichever direction and path you want to go. Life goes on, and these years here are best spent building a solid foundation for that ongoing life.
I got some perspective, not just by traveling the world, but by being grounded where I am and how I’ve been blessed. One of the most impactful experiences I’ve had with FTL has been fundraising. Coach Miller had us outside WORKING. I remember being on street corners, holding signs, asking for money, a little hungry because it’s been a long day. I remember my strategies for getting the most money, how I’d pace the median and time my steps with the red lights and start working the inner lanes while it was safe to step in the streets. I remember the people sitting in their tinted cars, A/C blasting. I remember them seeing me coming and turning their heads quick, looking in the other direction at absolutely nothing. They would break their necks to avoid eye contact, to avoid having to tell me “sorry, I don’t have anything to give.” I remember those days so clearly because now I’m sitting in a car. Now I’m sitting at a red light with my tinted windows and the A/C blasting. Now I see someone pacing the median, gracefully sliding through traffic during a red light with what I can easily assume is an empty stomach. Now I see the other drivers breaking their neck to ignore another human being with a soul. And now I can’t not see them. Because I was them. And to think I just wanted to cover some hotel costs and a little bit of gas to head to Georgia for a weekend and shoot some hoops.
They are trying to stay alive, get a motel for the night because they know the rain is coming, whatever else it might be. I know, I know; what if they’re going to get drugs! They’re just going to piss the money away with cigarettes. My point of bringing this up isn’t to debate these things with you, but its to say that I understand. Regardless of what their needs or desires are (and I do specify needs and desires because I had no need to go on these tournaments, I would have survived just fine), but regardless of their needs or desires, they are human and they deserve dignity. Dignity to just be told “sorry, I don’t have it” while looking them in the eyes. Acknowledging that they exist. That what they’re going through is real. That society hasn’t literally turned their backs on them. I see so many people debate and ponder about doing what the Lord has called us to do in loving our neighbor and sliding a few bucks when it looks like someone could need it and they absolutely have it to give, and I wonder if they were ever in that position. Because before you can love your neighbor, you first have to be a neighbor. Thanks to FTL, I don’t have to wonder what life is like for people on the streets asking for money. I was in that position myself, albeit for a much less severe reason, it was an invaluable piece of perspective that I can’t thank this organization for enough. To walk in someone else’s shoes, to step where they step and see what they see, it’s a rare thing in this life to do, but it is a blessing that profoundly changes you and what you believe.
Sense of Community
And it’s conveniently planned that I bring up that story, because it happened in Winter Haven, where I received another big blessing from FTL, and that’s a sense of community. You see, I thought Coach Miller was being crazy. Asking for money in Winter Haven. Because I’ve been to Windemere, and I’ve been to the Dr. Phillips area and to Winter Park and I just thought, I just thought, we would take a little drive down to those places and put up some signs and come collecting. I thought we’d make a killing over there, and I’m sure you all couldn’t blame me. But I was proved wrong. I’ve spent a lot of days with Coach Miller and I’ve seen something with him that I hadn’t seen before, and that’s the power of a community. Because when people came to our stop signs and saw that we were with Miller, their wallets and hearts were opened and willing to give. When Miller pulls up to the Winter Haven Rec in a BMW and leaves his wallet in the cup holders with the doors unlocked, and we return hours later with nothing stolen, I was taken aback. When you sit in the barbershop with him, and run into strangers who ask you if you know him, and see the police talking with Miller like he isn’t a big black guy, and see just how many schools this man can jump around, impacting the lives of many along the way, I don’t have much to say.
The community speaks for itself. The love for thy neighbor, respect for the work that each other does and for each other as humans. The community in Winter Haven is incredible. In Polk County, it's incredible. I began to notice it more and more everywhere I went. I began to seek out those organizations like FTL, the ones that were heartbeats for the community, caring and serving those in need. I began recognizing people, key individuals that had a pulse on their surroundings. That knew people and that people knew. I began to aspire to be such a person; a person that can make an impact on so many lives that it extends beyond myself. You don’t need to coach every team yourself, you’ve inspired others to join the cause. You don’t need to plan every fundraiser, there are others that are stepping up. Everyone in this room has the ability and power to step up, in our own ways.
I reflect often, and I think back to my years in undergrad. A semester’s worth of textbooks might have cost me $2-300 dollars, which as a full-time student can be a lot. But as a full-time employee? We’re talking a mere fraction of a single paycheck. Now that’s no slight on those living paycheck to paycheck, I know that life well. But when you have the means, the power to give and help, I reflect on why don’t we? Why don’t we establish scholarships? Even small ones, even a small $200 book scholarship, can destroy a barrier in the way of a young mind looking to grow in the world. Sponsoring trips for our youth to visit vocational institutions and see what else lies in life besides college. Giving time to help someone get ready for a big job interview. That’s right, giving time too. I’m not just all about the money, but I think about the talents, time, resources, and connections that we could all give. If we’re called to love our neighbors and build up our communities, then this is how we need to do it. It’s how I learned to do it here. With FTL. We give what we can, when we can, and we don’t let ourselves get in our own ways. No one laughs at the little help you give because you gave help! It’s received with thanksgiving! Give freely, give to what you love, give to those that need it most, give to those that are often forgotten and neglected, and most importantly give what you can.
A Chance
My last point here, the last blessing I want to talk about that I got from being a part of this program, is a chance. I’m going to let you guys in on something, for those of you that weren’t around back before I even had an FTL jersey on my back, but when I first started playing travel ball. I was a bench warmer. I was one of the best at keeping seats warm, I mastered the game of sliding up closer and closer to my coach with each substitution and timeout until I was right there, his right hand man that rarely left his side unfortunately. But then FTL took over our team. I don’t know if Miller was given a run down on our roster or just had blind faith in me, but the very first game he coaches us he took the bench warmer in me and had me start. He gave me a chance. And I took it and ran before he could realize his mistake. I didn’t always have a 10-point game, but I made sure to hustle, to lockdown on defense, to not finish a game without flirting with foul trouble. For 3 years since then, I started almost every game with Coach.
From this story, I have two take-aways for ya’ll. The first is to take your chance when its there. And you know what, when it isn’t there, take it too. I learned how to sub myself into the game, and it was a skill I very much enjoyed using. In life, opportunities are going to pop up left and right, especially for those that work hard and are patient. You can take every opportunity that presents itself but consider each one. Apply for everything, every scholarship, every job, everything. Let someone else shoot down your dreams, don’t shoot them down yourself. If you do that, the haters are going to be unemployed. Think them through, follow your heart, and take the chances that are going to lead you to the life that you want to live.
My second take-away is perhaps more pressing than the first, give chances. Miller, I can’t think you enough for giving me a chance. A chance to speak here tonight, to play for you, and to continue to be a part of this awesome community. The Beatitudes in the Gospel of Matthew tell us that “blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” I’ve taken that teaching and ran with it. When we’re merciful, we give chances to others. To those that maybe aren’t the most qualified. To those that maybe wouldn’t get a chance anywhere else. To those that need it most. I’ve learned in college that if I ever take a test, and to those of you still in school I need you to absolutely do this, I learned to write “Have Mercy” in fine print all over the test. In the corners, in the margins, written and then erased for the faded remnants of God’s word to subconsciously up my grade by just a few points. It hasn’t failed me yet, and I’m confident it won’t fail you either. Have mercy with each other, give each other a chance. You already gave this program a chance, and it’s given you one too. A chance to solidify your identity, gain some perspective, feel the sense of community, and to use the game you love to impact those around you and ultimately bridge the gaps between sports, education, and community. Thank you all, and God Bless you.
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