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NBAPA All-Star Youth Summit: Real Talk - NBA All-Star Weekend is proving not to be all fun and games as the NBAPA in partnership with H.I.S. BET and the Department of Education brought together hundreds of teens and an esteemed panel of celebrities to have an empowering conversation about the lives of Black youth. Panelists included NBA Legends Isiah Thomas, Alonzo Mourning and John Wallace, as well as actor Hosea Chanchez, sports journalist Chris Broussard and political activist/writer Kevin Powell.-George Chapman, Jr.  (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Like Father, Like Son - Malcom Thomas, 10, shared his poem "My Daddy," celebrating father Etan Thomas, former power forward/center for the Washington Wizards. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Seeing Isn't Believing - Former two-time NBA champion Isiah Thomas talked candidly to the young men about his personal story, relaying to them that a lot of the negative perceptions that they hear about themselves are an attempt to control their success. "If I can control the words and the pictures (that you see) I can control what you think and even your perception of yourself."(Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Calling All Black Men to the Table - Canaan Baptist Church of Christ was standing-room only as the neighborhood cornerstone opened its doors to young men from schools all across New York City to join in the conversation about Black men. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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The Odds Are in Your Favor - The executive director of the Young Men's Initiative, Cyrus Garrett, shares encouraging words about what the "odds" really are for young Black men. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Coming Together - Chris Broussard and special guest MC Bizzle snap a pic before the Christian rapper hit the stage to get the men pumped up. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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The Reverend Meets the Legend - Reverend Thomas Johnson and Isiah Thomas are excited for the NBA-All Star Youth Summit: Real Talk. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Welcome to My House - Reverend Thomas Johnson welcomes everyone to his church to have this very "needed" conversation among Black men. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Power Duo - Former NBA All-Stars Isiah Thomas and Alonzo Mourning share some ideas before the riveting panel begins. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Keeping God First - Young poet Messiah shares a piece entitled "Who's Gonna Save the Babies" before making the young men recite, "With God first and hard work, no weapon formed against me shall prosper." (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Write It Down - Famed author and writer Kevin Powell informs the students on the prison industrial complex and how planning for their future is crucial. "If you don't have a plan someone will have a plan for you, and that is prison." (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Eye on the Prize - Students were captivated by the inspiring testimonies shared during the All-Star Youth Summit. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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'I Forgive You' - Spoken Word artist Lamar Hill incited the crowd with his hard-hitting piece tackling the abandonment of Black fathers. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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The Champ Is Here - Alonzo "Zo" Mourning gets love from the packed church, who greeted him with cheers and foot stomps. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Introducing... - Radio personality Lenny Green peps up the crowd before he introduces the celebrity panel. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Job Well Done - Reverend Thomas Johnson of the Canaan Baptist Church is all smiles after Alonzo Mourning shares some powerful words with the Harlem community. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Artists Connect - Performers Messiah and Bizzle pose before hitting the stage. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Fun Trio - Isiah Thomas poses with his son Joshua Thomas and actor Hosea Chanchez before the panel begins. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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To Full Capacity - Students even packed the balcony of the church just to listen to the stories of some of their favorite legendary athletes. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Education Is Key - Isiah Thomas singles out Chris Broussard for being the real star on the panel, noting his writing abilities and superior communication skills, which allow him continued success without having to rely on athleticism. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Students Join in on the Conversation - Students participated in the Youth Summit voicing their opinions on the negative stereotypes they're faced with every day. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

Photo By Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET

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There Are Other Options - Although he became successful by playing in the NBA, Mourning shared that there are other ways to succeed within the sports arena. "All the team therapists, broadcasters, marketing people as part of the organization all get one of these," as he held up his fist to show his NBA Championship ring. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Your Options Are Limitless - On a very serious note, Alonzo talks openly about acting in the present and creating options. "We are all on borrowed time, your purpose in life is to make a difference. Empower yourself with education." (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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'Black Fatherhood Is No Oxymoron' - DMV spoken-word artist ELPI put on for the Black fathers that are involved in their children's lives with his piece "Ode to Farmers." (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

Photo By Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET

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Armed and Dangerous - NBA analysts Chris Broussard shared sentiments with the other panelists telling young men, "That's the scariest thing in America, an educated Black man." (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Mission Complete - Etan Thomas, John Wallace, Malcolm Thomas, Joshua Thomas, Hosea Chanchez and Isiah Thomas are all smiles after successfully instilling the hundreds of young men with the tools they need to succeed. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Still Standing - Spoken word talent Julian Thomas sets the tone for the event with his moving piece "Stand Up Black Man." (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

Photo By Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET