Project 26 USA Team Members
Rickey Hampton, CEO and Founder - Rickey has been a national award winning journalist for more than 25 years for the Nashville Banner and the Flint Journal. He has written about sports, education and the challenges that young Americans face. rhampton@project26usa.com
Jon E. Fontane - AKA, Jef Johnson began producing and recording music in 1992. He was born and raised in Flint, Michigan. Biography
Dave Ginsberg - Known statewide as an urban educator, Ginsberg’s fiery personality and powerful presence has been his trademark in every stop he’s made. Dave has taught in middle school, high school and college, and has coached basketball at every level including 16 years as an assistant at Central Michigan University. He worked as an administrator in Flint for 8 years, serving as an assistant principal at Flint Central High School before moving to the principal post at Southwestern Academy before his retirement from the educational arena. Click here for more info.
Tom Izzo - Izzo is one of the country's premier coaches. In his 16 seasons in East Lansing, the Spartans have made four trips to the prestigious Final Four, including last season in Detroit. In 2000, Izzo guided the Spartans, led by Flintstones Mateen Cleaves, Morris Peterson and Charlie Bell, to the NCAA championship.
Patrick McInnis - Is a native of Flint Michigan who attended Powers Catholic High School. He is president of Quicken Loans and minority owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Linelle Jones McKinney- Is one of Flint’s greatest athletes, and as teenager was the first girl to play on the boys basketball team at Bryant Junior High. She was a standout in track and basketball at Northwestern High School., and an All-American basketball player at Kentucky State University and was an all-star and three-time MVP while playing professionally in Europe.
Willie McQueen - Is a Flint who made national news when he played varsity football at Southwestern Academy High School despite having both legs amputated in a train accident. Click here
Antonio Smith - The former Michigan State University star joined Mateen Cleaves, Charlie Bell and Morris Peterson to form the Flintstones, which help put the MSU back on the college basketball map in the 90s. Antonio has played professional basketball in Europe for 10 years and is now looking to make the jump to the NFL.
Ray Scott - Played 11 season in the NBA/ABA for the Detroit Pistons, Baltimore Bullets and the Virginia Squires. He coached the Pistons from 1972-76 and in ‘74 was named the NBA Coach of the Year.
Daryl Turner - Turner is one of the greatest athletes in Flint’s storied athletic history. After starring at Michigan State University, Daryl was drafted in the second round of the 1984 draft by the Seattle Seahawks. Turner still holds team records for yards per catch, touchdowns in a season (13) and rookie touchdowns (10).
Phil Wise - Is retired from the United States Airforce. He survived the plane crash of the C-A 5 aircraft during Operation Babylift, the evacuation of infants and children in Vietnam. He was awarded the Airman’s Medal for bravery.
