Stevenson and Moses Appoints Gregory Burrus to the Board of Directors

STEVENSON & MOSES BOXING FOR LIFE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gregory Burrus

NEWARK, NJ —

Stevenson & Moses Boxing for Life Corp. has appointed Gregory Burrus to the Board of Directors.  In his new role as Vice President of Communications, he is responsible for communication outreach, community engagement through special events, and internet properties.  Mr. Burrus joined the organization's Advisory Board in 2019 and co-hosted Ringside for a Cause in 2018.

 "Stevenson and Moses Boxing for Life has a tremendous opportunity to use boxing as a tool to build character, camaraderie, and responsibility for the communities in which we live," stated Gregory Burrus.  "I'm excited to be a part of the Stevenson and Moses Boxing for Life organization which has the potential to transform individuals locally and around the world."

Wali and Robyn Moses, along with their grandson, Pro Boxer and 2016 Olympic Silver Medalist in Boxing Shakur Stevenson founded the organization with the vision of teaching Olympic-style boxing.  A viable force in the community, Stevenson and Moses Boxing for Life offers boxing as a deterrent to bullying and gun violence.       

Mr. Burrus is a local live music producer, promoter, manager, photographer, social media manager, and community engagement supporter. Currently producing live music events across the Greater New Jersey, New York City area for a number of the local area live music venues.  A former Information Technology Director and Business Process Consultant with a strong telecommunications management, business process, information technology background, Gregory led major corporate-wide systems, customer service teams and operational support systems service order delivery teams in AT&T and Verizon.  Gregory traveled extensively as a business systems consultant across, the US, Canada, and Europe analyzing business requirements, developing service delivery systems all focused on improving the customer experience.      

Gregory Burrus with CC Minton, Olympian/Professional Boxer Shakur Stevenson, Stevenson Moses CEO Robyn Moses, and Former Olympic Coach/NJ Hall of Fame Boxing Coach Wali Moses. Photo by Maria B. Photography Studio.

"I am excited that Greg will be joining the Board of Directors. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise in various areas to our team," said CC Minton President. Greg has been a supporter along the way and we welcome him,"  said Robyn Moses CEO of the organization. 

Mr. Burrus brings his extensive IT, business, community relations, and documentation experience to drive community improvements. Gregory Burrus is considered the community’s Live Music Ambassador. Gregory is the creator of the Annual South Orange 24 Hours of Live Music event with musicians performing 24 hours of live music across multiple locations throughout South Orange, NJ. For Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies, Gregory Burrus produces documents and showcases some of the best local emerging jazz musicians for the weekly Jazz973 program at Newark’s Clements Place Jazz venue. 

About Stevenson and Moses Boxing for Life

Stevenson and Moses Boxing for Life is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt organization committed to using boxing as a tool to teach camaraderie among peers in the community.  Our signature program teaches Olympic style boxing that provides participants with the skills necessary to become a contender in the Olympics for Boxing if they choose to do so.  We provide training for athletes to build endurance and perseverance for the sport of their choice and believe that the work and experience in and of itself is an asset to one's life.  Our goal is to offer boxing as a deterrent to bullying and gun violence by building character and responsibility for the community in which participants live.  Stevenson and Moses Boxing for Life, a viable force in the community, is the vision of Willie and Robyn Moses, along with their grandson Pro Boxer & 2016 Olympic Silver Medalist in Boxing Shakur Stevenson.

For more information, contact CC Minton, President.

Email: stevensonmosesboxingforlife@gmail.com   
Website: www.stevensonmosesboxingforlife.org
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/smboxingforlife

Ringside For A Cause: Stevenson Moses Boxing For Life (Recap)

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Saturday, December 29, 2018

On Monday, December 10, 2018, Olympic medalist & Pro Boxer Shakur Stevenson, New Jersey Hall of Fame Boxing Coach Wali Moses, along with CEO Robyn Moses were the special guests at the Stevenson Moses Boxing for Life Ringside for a Cause Benefit. The purpose of the benefit event was to raise the organization's profile in additional communities outside its Newark home base, raise awareness of their mission, and garner additional support for upcoming organizational activities.  

The Wilshire Grand Hotel

The event was co-hosted by CC Minton, the Stevenson Moses Boxing for Life Board President, and Gregory Burrus, Live Music Ambassador and Live Music Events Producer and Promoter. The location was the Wilshire Grand Hotel Primavera Lounge in West Orange, NJ.   Primavera is a cozy, Zagat-rated Italian restaurant with a sophisticated ambiance which created a warm and relaxing atmosphere where event attendees mixed and mingled throughout the night.  The staff was warm and friendly, service timely and helpful, and they should be commended.

Round 1: Mix and Mingle - Live Music - Nat Adderley, Jr. and Darryl Clark

Nat Adderley, Jr. (piano) and Darryl Clark (bass). Photo by Maria B. Photography Studio.

Round 1 of the evening kicked off with a highly entertaining live music performance by bassist Darryl Clark of Darryl Clark Fusion and pianist/music director Nat Adderley Jr., who was also songwriter and arranger for 8-time GRAMMY winner Luther Vandross. Nat is a tremendous entertainer and pianist who began playing and writing music incredibly early. His first song, “I'm On My Way,” was recorded when he was just 11 by his legendary father, Nat Sr. and uncle, Cannonball Adderley.  Nat Adderley, Jr. along with local dynamic bassist Darryl Clark kept us very much engaged and entertained by performing a number of memorable jazz and R&B tunes to the immense delight of the event’s attendees. We were very happy that Darryl and Nat gave some of their time and musical gifts to us.

Photo by Maria B. Photography Studio.

Also during Round 1, Stevenson Moses Boxing for Life Board members Kenny Jones, Yusef Suliman and Doug Freeman spoke to the audience about the organization’s mission and its ongoing commitment to guiding young people.  Yusef made it clear that, “We have to encourage our kids, get behind them and support them in their endeavors.  We at Stevenson Boxing will give kids a chance to watch someone go from not knowing how to do something to knowing how to do it and give them the opportunity to compete all over the world if they choose to.”

Round 2: Main Event - Intimate Conversation with the Stevenson Moses Boxing for Life

Round 2 of the evening’s main event was an intimate conversation with Stevenson Moses Boxing for Life. This interview was excellently moderated by Stephanie Hutton, Board President of the Junior League of Montclair-Newark, Inc. The Junior League of Montclair-Newark is a supportive, amazing organization of women whose mission is to promote voluntarism, develop the potential of women, and improve the community through trained volunteers. We were very happy to have Stephanie gives us her time to help make the night’s activities a big success.

During Round 2, Stephanie’s queries gave us an opportunity to get up close and personal with the Boxing For Life leadership team. Robyn, Wali and Shakur expanded on the group’s vision, how it all came about, its importance to the community, and what’s happening now. We all gained extensive insight into the future of Stevenson Moses Boxing for Life.   You can listen to some of the interview right here: 

Stephanie Hutton leads Interview of Olympian Shakur Stebenson Willie Moses and CEO Robyn Moses from Gregory Burrus on Vimeo.

A key point from Stevenson Moses Boxing for Life CEO Robyn Moses that was apparent was her commitment to the community and belief that education is just as important as the tools that boxing provides to young people. 

During the event — and literally flying in from the 2018 Elite and Youth National Championships and Junior and Prep Open held in Utah — was guest honoree Olympian and Top Rank Contracted Pro Boxer Shakur Stevenson. Having landed in Newark as the event started, Shakur arrived in time to join the Round 2 ringside conversation. Shakur clearly agreed that boxing impacted his life tremendously and supported the fact that it gave him discipline and direction, which makes him know he will never give up on any goal he chooses to pursue. The night’s activities moved on to the Q and A portion of Round 2. Many insightful questions came about, including marketing and how it can help move the mission along.

Photo by Maria B. Photography Studio

This portion of the night further highlighted how the community supported Shakur in his journey from the city of Newark to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro — or, as NJ Hall of Fame Coach Wali Moses made it clear, that “It does takes a village and that is why we use boxing as a tool to reach the kids.”

“Shakur Stevenson is joined at a parade in his honor by the Mayor of Newark, Ras Baraka (L); Stevenson's father, Shahid (2nd L); and mother, Malikah (R) on Aug. 28, 2016 in Newark, N.J..” Photo by Newark City Press Office.

Coach Wali’s point was truly emphasized when it comes to ”it takes a village” in this article by Columnist Jim Hague of TeamUSA, where it was noted: 

NEWARK, N.J. -- Thousands of Newark, New Jersey, residents took to the streets on a hot Sunday afternoon in August to welcome home one of their own, an Olympic hero no matter what took place at the recent Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. 

Read more at An Inspiration To His Hometown, Thousands Show Up To Honor Boxer Shakur Stevenson In Newark. 

Olympian/Boxer Vikas Krishan Yadav with Former Olympic Coach/NJ Hall of Fame Boxing Coach Wali Moses.

A wonderful surprise for the night was Vikas Krishan Yadav. Vikas is a boxer from the Bhiwani district in the state of Haryana in Northern India. Krishan won a Gold Medal in the 2010 Asian Games in the Lightweight category and a Gold Medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. In the 2016 Olympics, he advanced to the quarterfinal round, defeating highly touted U.S. Olympian Charles Conwell in the Round of 32. Earlier this year, he won a Commonwealth Gold and a Bronze Medal at the Asian Games, becoming the first three-time Asian Games medalist in Indian history. Recently signed to Top Rank boxing as a pro, he is going to train with Coach Wali Moses in Newark, N.J., and with the Indian National Team in Punjab, India.

Round 3: Networking, Photo Opportunities and Supporters

Photo by Maria B. Photography Studio.

Round 3 of the evening concluded with networking, a drawing of 50-50 winners, and lots of photo opportunities. It should also be said that the event’s success happened due to some notable attendees, sponsors, and supporters in attendance who gave us their time, expertise and presence.

Sponsors that joined us were Newark’s Playwright and Vocalist Joy Topping Mann of Ife Basim Masterpieces, event artist who captured it live – Kingdom Art, Jazz vocalist Patricia Walton, event welcome hostess and Round Announcements by Chelsea Burrus, video and technical support by Greg2B, and our professional photographer Maria Baptiste of Maria B Photography.

Supporters noted at the event were Michael Gray, Founder of Save our Nations and Chief of Staff for Congressman Donald Payne, L-Mani S. Viney, Executive Director of the Kappa League, and Professional Boxer Wali Muhammad.

Attendees that we were very happy to see in the audience were large-scale mural artist Elijah Minton, known as “The Art Alchemist,” and Celeste Bateman of Celeste Bateman & Associates and Founder of The Nia Network, and Norman Mann of the band "Rafiki.

You can review all of the “Ringside For A Cause: Stevenson Moses Boxing For Life” action at https://www.gregoryburrusaroundtown.com/Gregory-Burrus-Productions-Artist/CC-Minton/Stevenson-Moses-Boxing-For-Life-Ringside-For-a-Cause/ 

About Stevenson Moses Boxing for Life

According to their website:

Stevenson and Moses Boxing For Life is the vision of Willie and Robyn Moses, along with their grandson 2016 Olympic Silver Medalist in Boxing Shakur Stevenson […] Stevenson & Moses Boxing For Life is an organization committed to using boxing as a tool to teach camaraderie among peers in the community.  The organization teaches Olympic style boxing to open the possibility of being a contender for the Olympics for Boxing.  We provide training for athletes to build endurance and perseverance for the sport of their choice. Our goal is to offer boxing as a deterrent to gun violence by building character and responsibility for the community in which participants live.  Stevenson and Moses Boxing For Life is a viable force in the community.

About the Author Gregory Burrus and Co-Host CC Minton

CC Minton, as President of the Board at Stevenson Moses Boxing for Life, provides strategic leadership to establish long-range goals, strategies, plans, and policies. She is a President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition Community Leadership Award recipient and also works with adults, children, and communities, empowering them to embrace healthy living. Her various projects include working with the Office of First Lady Michelle Obama, Whole Foods Market, NY/NJ Super Bowl organization, Apollo Theater, Olympic Day Committee, and Harlem World Magazine. She has spent her time honing her skills as a brand ambassador, fundraiser, and fitness instructor.

Gregory Burrus is a local live music ambassador, event developer and community partner that develops, manages, promotes and documents local community events in the Greater New Jersey and New York area.  Gregory Burrus sits on a number of local boards, committees and serves as a Board Member of Maplewood Community Music and curates and promotes live music events all over Essex County along with booking bands at many other local venues. For more information, visit http://gregoyburrus.me.

Ringside with Shakur Stevenson in West Orange (Monday, Dec. 10, 2018)

Join an Intimate Conversation with Co-Founder Olympic/Pro Boxer Shakur Stevenson, CEO Robyn Moses, and Hall of Fame Boxing Coach Wali Moses on
Mon 12/10/2018, 6:30 – 9:30 PM, Wilshire Grand Hotel, West Orange, NJ

Who is Shakur Stevenson?

Shakur  Stevenson the Boxer had a very successful career at the Youth Level, winning the 2014 AIBA Youth World Championships and 2014 Summer Youth Olympics. In 2015 he won the Senior U.S. Olympic Trials, thus qualifying for the U.S. boxing team at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. In Rio, Stevenson won a silver medal, losing to Robeisy Ramirez of Cuba in the gold medal match. He was the highest-medaling male for the USA.  Photo By Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil  

It should also be noted that in the Olympics, Stevenson was dubbed "the next Mayweather" by Floyd Mayweather Jr. himself.  Stevenson turned professional on February 9, 2017 signing a promotional contract with Top Rank. Professionally Shikur has shown off his quickness, defense and punching skills as he has went on to win 9 professional fights, 5 by knockouts and 4 by decision.  (Wikipedia)

To learn more about Shakur take a listen to one of Shakur Stevenson Trainers, Wali Moses in this exclusive interview. Here, Wali Moses discusses how Shakur got started, fighting internationally and much more:

With a bright future ahead and fantastic family and community support, Shikur and family are looking at giving back to the community with the formation of Stevenson Moses Boxing for Life Group. 

Stevenson and Moses Boxing For Life

Stevenson and Moses Boxing for Life is the vision of Willie and Robyn Moses and their grandson 2016 Olympic Boxing Silver Medalist Shakur Stevenson.

“We believe all people can embrace who they are, can define their future, and can change the world.”

The Stevenson Moses Boxing for Life organization is committed to using boxing as a tool to:

•       Build endurance and perseverance training for athletes in any sport,

•       Teach camaraderie amongst the members and their peers,

•       Be a strong deterrent to gun violence in the neighborhood,

•       Build character, responsibility and respect for their community.

Moses is Stevenson’s grandfather and trainer who taught the 123-pound, oldest of nine children boxer how to fight. Moses co-founded Elite Heat Boxing Gym, which once boasted nine championships at the same time.

Inspired by Shakur’s successful boxing career Robin and Wali Moses have taken their dedicated community support to the next level by forming Stevenson Moses Boxing For Life Group.

By providing mentorship, tutoring and some basic needs support for their members, they are able to create a lasting impact that will ripple out across the community. The nonprofit’s ultimate goal is teaching boxing that can enable members to be a success in life and maybe even reach the level of being a contender for the Olympics and beyond.

Stevenson Moses Boxing For Life President CC Minton

In line with expanding their mission into the community, Stevenson Moses Founders recently appointed CC Minton as President of Stevenson Moses Boxing For Life organization. This was noted on a recent episode of the Eric Dawson Radio Show.  A great selection as CC Minton is a nationally recognized, award-winning health and lifestyle empowerment advocate, author, media contributor. CC Minton is a recipient of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition Leadership Award and just recently was awarded the Michael Gray’s Save Our Nations Inc. Dream Maker Award.  

She is also a New Jersey Best Kids Book Author for her children’s book “Daddy’s Greek Potato Pie.” Invited by Michelle Obama’s Press Office, she has covered the Kids State Dinner at the White House. CC has also interviewed food notables such as Marcus Samuelsson as a health and lifestyle editor for Harlem World Magazine, and covered several New York City charity events.

Minton sits on the Board of Governance with the Junior League of Montclair-Newark and has served as a guest panelist at the Jack and Jill of America Childhood Obesity Forum in Washington, D.C. She is a former member of the Wellness Council for the West Orange School District.

Stevenson Moses Ringside for a Cause Benefit 

You are invited to enjoy an entertaining evening with local celebrities. The night’s event will include an opening mix and mingle reception. There will be a live music performance featuring Grammy Nominee, pianist Nat Adderley Jr. with bass player Darryl Clark.

Nat Adderley Jr. is known for his work with Luther Vandross. Nat wrote and arranged  Vandross' first top 20 pop hit, "Stop to Love," and other songs, including the Grammy Award-nominated "Give me the Reason.". Nat also produced tracks on the last seven Vandross studio albums. These include "The Closer I Get To You," a duet with Beyonce Knowles which also appears on Beyoncé’s album Dangerously in Love and won the Grammy Award for best R&B performance by a duo or group in 2004. At this benefit performance, Nat Adderley Jr. along with Darryl will wow the opening session as they play anything from Miles Davis to Stevie Wonder.

 Along the way guest will enjoy Primavera Ristorante ’ bits and bites while networking with attendees, the founders and community dignitaries.

The main event will be an intimate Ringside conversation with Co-Founder Olympian & Pro Boxer Shakur Stevenson, CEO Robyn Moses, and Hall of Fame Boxing Coach Wali Moses about boxing, the community and the passion behind founding Stevenson Moses Boxing for Life. This main event will be led by moderator Stephanie Hutton, President of the Junior League of Montclair Newark, Inc and immediately followed by your participation in an audience driven Q&A session. 

Rounding out the night’s activities will be a final networking hour viewing of the final art by local artist Kingdom Art and your chance to talk with the stars, photo opportunities and more. Proceeds will benefit community programs for Stevenson Moses Boxing for Life.

All are invited to join Stevenson Moses Boxing For Life Ringside at the Wilshire Grand Hotel’s Primavera Lounge 350 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ 07052 Mon 12/10/2018 - 6:30 – 9:30 PM West Orange, NJ.  This event will raise funds for support of programs and services to continue the mission of building discipline, integrity, and camaraderie in the community. Join us to build camaraderie in the community around the sport of boxing. Learn more at Stevenson Moses Boxing For Life Ringside and RSVP below.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ringside-for-a-cause-with-stevenson-moses-boxing-for-life-tickets-52510558494

About the Author and Event Co-Host 

Gregory Burrus is a local live music ambassador, event developer and community partner that develops, manages, promotes and documents local community events in the Greater New Jersey and New York area.

Gregory Burrus sits on a number of local boards, committees and serves as a Board Member of Maplewood Community Music and is also Vice President of the Northern New Jersey Blues Alliance,

Gregory curates and Promotes the South Orange Downtown After Sundown Live Music Concerts, the South Orange 24 Hours of Music Festival, the SOPAC Playing Around South Orange Music Initiative, the Maplewood 4th of Music Live Music Events, Newark’s Rutgers Jazz973 at Clements Place Jazz Series, the Orange NJ Valley Arts Music Programs, Creator of the South Orange Farmers Market Jazz Jam, along with booking bands at many other local venues.

Showcasing, photographing, videotaping events and happenings as they occur around town while living life every day to the fullest. Gregory Burrus Live Music Ambassador.  http://gregoyburrus.me